THE PREMIER SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING & MATHS ACTIVE LEARNING PROGRAM
Since 1991, the Energy Breakthrough has provided opportunities for students, teachers, parents and local industry to work together to design and construct a vehicle, a machine or an innovation in technology that represents an ‘energy breakthrough’.
The 2025 Energy Breakthrough event will be held from Wednesday 19 to Sunday 23 November 2025 in Maryborough, Victoria.
In 2025, over 250 teams from. across Victoria and beyond are expected to compete across five distinct categories, catering for different levels of technology application and understanding.
Turn imagination into actionDiscover your full potentialChallenge yourselfCreate new memoriesEncourage others on this journeyAchieve a breakthrough
Hands-on STEM Learning
Students actively design, build, and test vehicles, applying science, technology, engineering, and maths concepts in a real-world context.
Teamwork & Collaboration
The Energy Breakthrough emphasises teamwork, requiring students, teachers, parents, and the community to work together towards a common goal.
Problem Solving & Innovation
Students are challenged to find creative and innovative solutions to energy efficiency and the role this plays in our collective future.
Multi-faceted Assessment
Teams are evaluated not only on the performance in trials but also on design & construction and display & presentation, fostering diverse skills.
ENTRY CATEGORIES
Human Powered Vehicles (HPVs)
Students design and build human-powered vehicles for an endurance race in Maryborough in November.
With some teams cycling almost 900km in 24 hours, these events can see advanced materials used in construction. But beyond the cutting-edge technology, the opportunity to compete on the famous lakeside circuit brings teams back year after year.
Energy Efficient Vehicles (EEVs)
Secondary students design and build vehicles powered by sustainable energy such as hybrid, solar, low-emission and other alternative fuel vehicles for a 24-hour endurance race.
This technically challenging category encourages innovative drive systems, from simple to complex, aiming for an “Energy Breakthrough.” It’s ideal for VCAL and Trade Training students interested in automotive systems and alternative fuels.
Pushcarts
Primary school students connect with their community to collaboratively build and race pushcarts.
The machines used to compete are based on the humble billy cart, and are pushed energetically through an obstacle course, sprint and circuit events at Maryborough in November.
TRYathlon (HPVs)
Students design and build human-powered vehicles for all round assessment in Maryborough in November.
Using the same design requirements as for Human Powered Vehicles (HPVs) teams compete through Time Trials, an Obstacle Rally, and an 8-Hour Endurance Trial. This is the most widely assessed category at the Energy Breakthrough.
Robotics
Students use creativity, innovation, and teamwork to program robots for mission-based problem-solving.
This Australian event is part of the Sphero Global Challenge, offering a pathway to the World Championships. It develops computational thinking, engineering, and programming skills for students of all levels in an engaging undercover adventure.
“Through creativity, collaboration and active learning programs, great things are possible”
GET SOCIAL WITH US
🔋HYBRID DEBUT INCOMING at HIGHVIEW!
⚡For the first time, eager senior students and staff at @highview_college_maryborough will be combining pedal power with an electric motor to create a hybrid powered vehicle for this year’s Energy Breakthrough.
💻 Full story at eb.org.au
(🤝 This story first appeared in the @maryboroughaddy, it has been reproduced with permission.)
🔋HYBRID DEBUT INCOMING at HIGHVIEW!
⚡For the first time, eager senior students and staff at @highview_college_maryborough will be combining pedal power with an electric motor to create a hybrid powered vehicle for this year’s Energy Breakthrough.
💻 Full story at eb.org.au
(🤝 This story first appeared in the @maryboroughaddy, it has been reproduced with permission.)
Position Vacant: Pushcart Coordinator
---
We are on the hunt for a new Pushcart Coordinator to help us here at the Energy Breakthrough! Is it you?
The Pushcart Coordinator leads the Pushcart category by guiding a team of volunteer judges and ensuring that students, teachers and parents have a great experience. Our awesome outgoing Pushcart Coordinator – Rob Higgins – is continuing as our Sphero Global Challenge Robotics Coordinator, but handing over the reins of the Pushcart Coordination.
Full details, including Position Description and Stipend Details, on our website at eb.org.au
Position Vacant: Pushcart Coordinator
---
We are on the hunt for a new Pushcart Coordinator to help us here at the Energy Breakthrough! Is it you?
The Pushcart Coordinator leads the Pushcart category by guiding a team of volunteer judges and ensuring that students, teachers and parents have a great experience. Our awesome outgoing Pushcart Coordinator – Rob Higgins – is continuing as our Sphero Global Challenge Robotics Coordinator, but handing over the reins of the Pushcart Coordination.
Full details, including Position Description and Stipend Details, on our website at eb.org.au
🕊️ In Memory of Russell Bell 🕊️
A treasured member of the Energy Breakthrough community
We are deeply saddened by the passing of Russell Bell, a long-serving volunteer whose commitment and leadership left a lasting mark on the Energy Breakthrough event and the wider Maryborough community.
Originally recruited by the late Norm Rasmussen to support the growing camping accommodation needs on Princes Park Oval, Russell soon took the reins and made the role his own.
He was also instrumental in improving access and safety for emergency services within the campsite area — helping ensure a safer, more organised experience for all involved. Always willing to lend a hand, Russell also provided support with marshalling and judging at the event.
Russell’s contributions to Energy Breakthrough — and to several other community groups — have been deeply valued. He will be sorely missed.
Thank you, Russell. 💛
🕊️ In Memory of Russell Bell 🕊️
A treasured member of the Energy Breakthrough community
We are deeply saddened by the passing of Russell Bell, a long-serving volunteer whose commitment and leadership left a lasting mark on the Energy Breakthrough event and the wider Maryborough community.
Originally recruited by the late Norm Rasmussen to support the growing camping accommodation needs on Princes Park Oval, Russell soon took the reins and made the role his own.
He was also instrumental in improving access and safety for emergency services within the campsite area — helping ensure a safer, more organised experience for all involved. Always willing to lend a hand, Russell also provided support with marshalling and judging at the event.
Russell’s contributions to Energy Breakthrough — and to several other community groups — have been deeply valued. He will be sorely missed.
Thank you, Russell. 💛
💭 As planning starts to ramp up for Energy Breakthrough 2025, the Central Goldfields community is being invited to share their ideas, reflections and suggestions for the future of the much-loved event.
💬 An informal gathering will be held at the Maryborough Community Hub and will be hosted by Energy Breakthrough organisers and the Maryborough Volunteer Resource Group.
💡Attendees are encouraged to bring constructive ideas – big or small – that could help shape the event’s long-term future.
📆 Date: Monday 23 June
🕕 Time: 6pm
🎟 Cost: FREE!
Visit our website now to book in!
💭 As planning starts to ramp up for Energy Breakthrough 2025, the Central Goldfields community is being invited to share their ideas, reflections and suggestions for the future of the much-loved event.
💬 An informal gathering will be held at the Maryborough Community Hub and will be hosted by Energy Breakthrough organisers and the Maryborough Volunteer Resource Group.
💡Attendees are encouraged to bring constructive ideas – big or small – that could help shape the event’s long-term future.
📆 Date: Monday 23 June
🕕 Time: 6pm
🎟 Cost: FREE!
Visit our website now to book in!
🤖 One of our Sphero Robotics Workshops underway - this time at San Remo Primary School.
Keen to get involved in hands-on STEM learning at your school? 📧 Get in touch
#Stem #spheroglobalchallenge #energybreakthrough
🤖 One of our Sphero Robotics Workshops underway - this time at San Remo Primary School.
Keen to get involved in hands-on STEM learning at your school? 📧 Get in touch
#Stem #spheroglobalchallenge #energybreakthrough
Just announced: our Test `N` Tune Days are coming to Bendigo, Ballarat and Morwell for 2025 (and maybe even NSW?!)
📆 Bendigo (Fri 20th Jun & Fri 5th Sep),
📆 Ballarat (Tue 14th Oct)
📆 Morwell (Fri 24th Oct*)
📆 ... and maybe even Orange, NSW* 🤔 (TBC, Late Term 3!)
(* Pencil it in, we`re just awaiting confirmation)
Sign-up today via the MyEB and get your teams ready to roll out for a day of learning and connecting!
More details on our website!
#poweredbyimagination #energybreakthrough #ebmaryborough #humanpoweredvehicle #HPV #hybrid #schools #stem #education #challenge #steam #steminschools #regionalvictoria #pedalpower @countryedpartnership #girlsinstem
Just announced: our Test `N` Tune Days are coming to Bendigo, Ballarat and Morwell for 2025 (and maybe even NSW?!)
📆 Bendigo (Fri 20th Jun & Fri 5th Sep),
📆 Ballarat (Tue 14th Oct)
📆 Morwell (Fri 24th Oct*)
📆 ... and maybe even Orange, NSW* 🤔 (TBC, Late Term 3!)
(* Pencil it in, we`re just awaiting confirmation)
Sign-up today via the MyEB and get your teams ready to roll out for a day of learning and connecting!
More details on our website!
#poweredbyimagination #energybreakthrough #ebmaryborough #humanpoweredvehicle #HPV #hybrid #schools #stem #education #challenge #steam #steminschools #regionalvictoria #pedalpower @countryedpartnership #girlsinstem
This National Volunteer Week 2025 celebrates the power of volunteering to bring people together with the theme ‘Connecting Communities’.
On behalf of the Energy Breakthrough and the @communitybankavocamaryborough thank our volunteers who are judges for Display & Presentation, Design & Construction, Pushcarts and Robotics.
We thank our volunteers who are flag marshals, pit lane marshals, scrutineers and race directors.
We thank our volunteers who are part of our check-in team, set-up and pack down, event operations centre, wrist banding, camping, rubbish and recycling.
We thank our volunteers who are on our trackside stages and social media teams.
We thank our volunteers who are doing lots more ... there`s always so much more!
Each November we engage over 700 volunteers to come together in Maryborough to help make the event memorable, fun and safe for 5,000 students from 100 schools in over 250 teams at our event.
Finally, we say a big THANK YOU to Community Bank of Avoca, Maryborough and St Arnaud for their generous and ongoing sponsorship of our Volunteer Program. They help us make it possible to host so many wonderful people.
This National Volunteer Week 2025 celebrates the power of volunteering to bring people together with the theme ‘Connecting Communities’.
On behalf of the Energy Breakthrough and the @communitybankavocamaryborough thank our volunteers who are judges for Display & Presentation, Design & Construction, Pushcarts and Robotics.
We thank our volunteers who are flag marshals, pit lane marshals, scrutineers and race directors.
We thank our volunteers who are part of our check-in team, set-up and pack down, event operations centre, wrist banding, camping, rubbish and recycling.
We thank our volunteers who are on our trackside stages and social media teams.
We thank our volunteers who are doing lots more ... there`s always so much more!
Each November we engage over 700 volunteers to come together in Maryborough to help make the event memorable, fun and safe for 5,000 students from 100 schools in over 250 teams at our event.
Finally, we say a big THANK YOU to Community Bank of Avoca, Maryborough and St Arnaud for their generous and ongoing sponsorship of our Volunteer Program. They help us make it possible to host so many wonderful people.
ENTRIES ARE NOW OPEN for the 2025 Energy Breakthrough!
Head to our website to get your school amongst the action NOW.
ENTRIES ARE NOW OPEN for the 2025 Energy Breakthrough!
Head to our website to get your school amongst the action NOW.
PROGRAM PARTNERS
The Energy Breakthrough is a joint initiative of the Country Education Partnership (CEP) and the Central Goldfields Shire Council (CGSC).
Tax-deductible donations to support the Energy Breakthrough can now be made through the Country Education Partnership and the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR).
Find out more about making a donation to support the Energy Breakthrough >
SPONSORS AND SUPPORTERS
Acknowledgement of Country
The Energy Breakthrough acknowledges and extends appreciation for the Dja Dja Wurrung People, the Traditional Owners of the land where the Energy Breakthrough is held. We pay our respects to leaders and Elders past, present and emerging for they hold the memories, the traditions, the culture and the hopes of all Dja Dja Wurrung People. We express our gratitude in the sharing of this land, our sorrow for the personal, spiritual and cultural costs of that sharing and our hope that we may walk forward together in harmony and in the spirit of healing.