About 38 per cent of children under the age of eight in Papua New Guinea can't read or write, largely as they're unable to access lighting after dark.

But solar-powered lights help the children to read, study, and learn even after the sun has gone down.

Pupils from Riverside Primary School helped to create solar lights as part of a STEM workshop.

The SolarBuddy workshop was guided by volunteers from the Origin Foundation, and was aimed at inspiring a passion for social justice and to foster real-life connections between learning and the importance of STEM skills in our society.

Riverside Primary School teacher Naomi Calnan said with the help of the volunteers, the students had been given an innovative learning opportunity.

"These SolarBuddy lights will help children living in energy poverty to continue studying long after the sun goes down improving their education outcomes and overall health and wellbeing," she said.

"We thank the Origin Foundation and SolarBuddy for giving the students at Riverside Primary School the opportunity to make a significant difference in the lives of children living in poverty."

Origin Foundation volunteering program manager Ruth Lee said they found it rewarding to see the impact STEM education had on school students as they became global citizens for the day.

"We are pleased to support Riverside Primary School and help inspire more young women to pursue a career in science, technology, engineering or maths," she said.

"With the introduction of SolarBuddy lights, children in Papua New Guinea are studying 78 percent longer and reliance on kerosene and other dangerous fuels has been reduced by 80 percent.

"Since these fuels are also the single biggest expenditure for households, that money can now be spent on food and health and education."