Energy Breakthrough

The Energy Breakthrough is the premier Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), Active-Learning program and event in Australia. The program-event is a joint initiative of the Country Education Project (CEP) and the Central Goldfields Shire Council (CGSC). The Energy Breakthrough provides opportunities for students, teachers, parents and local industry to work together to design and construct a vehicle, a machine or innovation in technology that will represent an ‘energy breakthrough’. The program-event encourages participants to examine and use the latest technology while considering its impact on the environment and the way people live locally and globally. The Energy Breakthrough is more than just a once-a-year event. Held annually since 1991, the program-event is one of Australia’s longest running and most successful extracurricular primary and secondary activities. School groups work throughout the year to design, build and test vehicles or machines within detailed specifications. It requires a team effort and an across-the-curriculum approach. These groups then bring their vehicles and machines to Maryborough in the Central Goldfields Shire, Victoria for a huge celebration in which they can demonstrate and trial them in action. The event is similar to the Australian International Pedal Prix in South Australia and the RACQ Technology Challenge in Maryborough, Queensland.