Empowering Students Through Science: The 50°C Climate, Heat & Resilience Program

Led by Powerhouse Parramatta in partnership with Western Sydney University, this Stage 5 STEM-based school program saw nearly 1,000 students from 9 Western Sydney schools investigate local heat risks and develop their own cooling solutions.

Over 900 students from nine Western Sydney schools have become frontline climate champions through the Powerhouse 50°C: Climate, Heat and Resilience program. Armed with thermal cameras, data loggers and sharp minds, these Year 9 and 10 “Heat Detectives” mapped their school microclimates, revealing staggering temperature differences—up to 8°C between different spots on the same campus.

Guided by Western Sydney University researchers, students recorded nearly 650,000 temperature readings, designed real-world cooling solutions, and presented their ideas at the 50°C Climate Summit in April. From misting systems and solar vines to multilingual heat safety campaigns and reimagined schoolyards, their work is already inspiring change across the region.

The newly released Microclimate Investigation Report shows the science is clear: tree canopy, airflow and surface materials dramatically impact temperatures where young people learn, play and grow. With student-designed strategies now influencing real upgrades, this program proves what’s possible when education meets action.

50°C Program Story, written by award-winning author James Bradley

Case Study film for download from wetransfer: https://we.tl/t-QbopyoBxju

50°C Program website including student projects here

50°C Microclimate Investigation Report