Technology & Engineering
Building what's next, powering the future.
Right: The QUTE team at Electrify Everything at Homebush.
Award-winning STEM programs
Queenwood is nationally recognised for innovation in TAS and STEM education. In 2024, we received the Educator Excellence Awards for Best STEM Program. In 2025, Queenwood were recognised in the 5-Star Innovative School Awards, for our Design, Art and STEM Programs. We also received an Excellence Award in 2026 for Best STEM Program in Australia 2026, and are shortlisted in the Top 8 in the country for overall winner.
Q STEM
Every Year 8 student completes the Stage 4 Arduino Coding Program, learning C++ through The Environmental Control System Project, a fun, control system challenge.
This foundation can lead to the elective Stage 5 Science of Design course, where Years 9 and 10 tackle advanced challenges in rocketry, submarines, EEG mind control and renewable energy, preparing students for tertiary STEM pathways and future careers in technology and engineering.
Beyond the classroom, Queenwood offers select co-curricular STEM opportunities that extend learning through practical application, including electric vehicle conversions, solar racing, and robotics challenges. Trained engineers supervise our Advanced Technologies and Engineering programs.
These programs foster creativity, problem-solving, and collaboration, complementing the school’s strong academic foundation.
QUTE Electric Vehicle Project
The QUTE Project (‘Queenwood Ute’ = QUTE), which began in 2022, allows students a unique and immersive experience in engineering.
Undertaking a traditional restoration and a modern EV conversion on a derelict vehicle is not for the feint hearted. Over the last 4 years our QUTE team have rebuilt a rotten 1975 Suzuki Carry, fitting it with an electric motor and a battery pack from a Nissan Leaf, and created the first road-registered EV build from the ground up by school students in Australia.
This year the team has moved on to QUTE 2 – a rusty 1961 Morris UTE, supplied to the school dismantled, in boxes! Watch this space for updates.
QUTE 1 Gallery
STEM Projects
Goblin Racing
Formula Goblin is a race class of electric vehicles for students in Junior School. An excellent precursor to the QUTE project, students build their own electric racing car and drive it in races against other schools.
MiniSprint Solar Racing
MiniSprint solar racing requires students from Years 5–12 to team up to design, build and race a model car or boat powered only by the energy of the sun. Construction of these vehicles combines electronics, design and engineering. With many years of MiniSprint competition experience, Queenwood has secured multiple NSW and National titles across a range of race classes.
MiniSprint provides an outstanding extension opportunity for students of all ages who are passionate about design and engineering.
Maker Club
Maker Club is an ideal introduction to electronics, engineering, and design. Students learn to solder and complete various projects including digital clocks, electronic games, and radios. This is a fun, safe environment to develop fine motor skills and problem-solving techniques.
Lego Robotics
Lego Robotics has a long history at Queenwood with students competing in the First Lego League. As part of this program, teams of students work together to build Lego robots which undertake challenges, such as solving problems under time conditions on a large game board. This entails skills in coding, computational thinking and engineering.
Students from Years 5–10 can participate in this program.
The Science and Engineering Challenge
The Science and Engineering Challenge is presented by the University of Newcastle and is a one-day excursion where Year 9 and 10 students face a range of practical challenges. Each challenge that is completed builds points towards a school total, with Queenwood winning the Regional Finals in 2023 and placing well across other years. Students find that they are well prepared for challenge through their STEM curricular and co-curricular work.
Guitar Making
There are few things more satisfying than playing an instrument you have made yourself. The Guitar Making Club allows students from years 7–12 to stain, assemble and set up a high quality electric guitar. A wonderful cross-year co-curricular club that combines Music and STEM students.
Astronomy Club
The Astronomy Club is an excellent way of extending students interested in Science. Our astronomy program includes tours, night viewing both at Queenwood an elsewhere, and other events. Suitable for years 7-12, this is an outstanding cross-year club.