FLEET outreach impact | ARC Centre of Excellence in Future Low-Energy Electronics Technologies

Over the years, FLEET has conducted a variety of outreach events with schools and the general public. Most of the events were evaluated using recognized pre- and post-evaluation methods to understand the impact of the event relative to our strategic goals. The methods are outlined in the reports below.

This page contains the reports for all evaluated events from 2021 to 2023. Underneath many reports are links to blog posts written about the event. Additional blog posts about our outreach activities including one on quantum physics for primary students is at the bottom of this post.

FLEET’s outreach strategic goal

Promote public awareness and critical thinking about FLEET research and, among school students, improve the literacy of physics fleet science.

Did we achieve our strategic goals? The short answer is yes. The more complicated answer is that we measured the impact in a slice of time and this means there are limitations to the conclusions we draw in the reports. At public events, we measured an increase in awareness about FLEET’s research and the problem of unsustainable energy consumption of digital technologies. Our evidence shows that the public that visited our interactive exhibits and engaged with us did begin to think critically about FLEET research and how we value digital technology. We achieved to different extents the same with primary and secondary students. We also measured an increase in student literacy relevant to physics and FLEET research. But this measurement occurred at a single point in time and context. We do not know what people did with that new knowledge. Did their attitude or behaviour change in response to their engagement with FLEET? Did they discuss this concern with others? Was such dialogue perpetuated through their social circles in some way and what was that impact?