STEM Net Zero
Net Zero aims to support the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions through curriculum resources, professional learning, and industry and university partnerships.
About STEM Net Zero
STEM Net Zero helps schools link sustainability goals, policies and programs in the department’s Net Zero Roadmap with classroom practice.
This initiative supports teachers and schools in implementing net zero by:
- providing syllabus-aligned curriculum resources and units
- connecting schools with universities, industry and goverment agencies that are leading the work in renewable energy, sustainable transport and carbon reduction
- delivering professional learning to support teachers with integrating net zero concepts across the curriculum.
This approach enables schools and classroom teachers to inspire students to engage with real-world sustainability challenges and helps them understand how STEM contributes to achieving net zero.
Net zero explained
Net zero means reducing greenhouse gas emissions as much as possible and balancing out the remaining emissions with actions that remove carbon from the atmosphere.
Energy
Transitioning to renewable energy and improving energy efficiency, which reduces emissions from electricity generation and use.
Biodiversity
Protecting and restoring natural habitats, supporting greater carbon storage and helping achieve emissions reduction targets.
Water efficiency
Using water more efficiently, which lowers energy consumption and associated emissions from water supply and treatment.
Waste (food organics and methane)
Diverting food organics from landfill and capturing methane, which reduces greenhouse gas emissions from waste decomposition.
Transport
Switching to sustainable and low-emission transport options, including public transport, cycling, electric vehicles, and innovative technologies like electric buses and solar-powered trains.
Support for schools
Schools will be supported to get net zero compliant through sustainability shared services. Information on what sort of actions are required can be read on Environmental sustainability in schools (staff only).
Environmental and zoo education centres
The Environmental and zoo education centres (EZECs) across NSW support schools to achieve net zero.
EZECs work with schools to create lessons and coordinate hands-on curriculum-aligned learning experiences on how to manage waste, water use, energy consumption and local biodiversity within the school grounds. These are delivered through field work investigations, outdoor excursions, incursions, HPGE programs and wellbeing activities.
Curriculum resources
The STEM Enrichment team have created the following curriculum resources that support net zero.
- Eco Detectives Unite – Race to Zero
- Engineering design process – Smart greenhouse
- STEM Olympiad
- iSTEM – student centred stage 5 course
- STEM video resource catalogue has net zero case studies:
Industry and university partnerships
The Stem Industry School Partnership (SISP) program connects schools with industry, universities and community organisations. The program showcases leading work in STEM including a focus on renewable energy, sustainable transport and carbon reduction.
Industry and university partnerships are shared through the Academies of STEM Excellence (ASE) located around the state and through the Careers and Workplace Learning team.
Careers in net zero
The department's STEM Enrichment team are working with the Career and Workplace Learning team and the Regional Industry Education Partnerships team to create net zero career resources which support the NSW Renewable Energy Skills Strategy.
Careers with STEM magazines and job kits provides career pathway information and real and current examples of jobs in STEM and with a net zero focus.