ASPIRE Program News

Heartbeat Year 5 & 6 Day 1 Tuesday 29th October 2024

Aspire team presented the block challenge workshop to Indigenous primary school students from GWS in grades 5&6. Students worked in teams to create a building of their choice and were scored on creativity and colour, structure and stability and the story of their creation. Students had created wonderful houses, sport stadiums, princess castles, haunted mansions, and more.

The first on campus day took place at Campbelltown campus, with 150 students!

ASPIRE Heartbeat - Year 5 & 6 Day 2 - 31 October 2024

Aspire team presented the block challenge workshop to Indigenous primary school students from GWS in grades 5&6. Students worked in teams to create a building of their choice and were scored on creativity and colour, structure and stability and the story of their creation. Students had created wonderful houses, sport stadiums, princess castles, haunted mansions, and more.
The second on campus day took place at Hawkesbury campus, with 140 students!

ASPIRE Pathway Program - Unlocking Careers: STEM, Engineering workshop 8 November 2024

Proud to share that the Aspire team successfully organised another impactful STEM workshop as part of Western Sydney University’s Pathway Program for Indigenous students “Unlocking Careers in STEM.” Representing the School of Engineering, Design, and Built Environment, this workshop captured the interest of many students eager to explore engineering. The workshop focused on the essence of engineering in three words: problem-solving, creativity, and teamwork.

ASPIRE Pathways to Dreaming – Year 9 & 10  - Day 1 2024

Proud to share that today, the Aspire Program participated in the Western Sydney University Pathway to Dreaming initiative, engaging 80 Indigenous students. We received fantastic feedback from both students and teachers, highlighting the program’s impact. Special thanks to our industry sponsor and collaborator, Fulton Hogan and to Diana Tabbouche and Samantha Doherty for their invaluable support. I also would like to thanks my team Judicaël Ben jeddour and Emilien Legrand for assisting the event. A heartfelt thank you as well to Sharidan Kearney for her exceptional organisation of the event!

ASPIRE Pathways to Dreaming – Year 9 & 10  - Day 2 2024

Another successful Pathway to Dreaming Program at the Campbelltown Campus, where the Aspire Program hosted workshops in engineering, construction management, and architecture. We had 120 Indigenous students participate, and the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive!

A special thanks to Sharidan Kearney for organising another fantastic event, and to my team, Tharika Kahandawa Arachchi and Muhammad Ali for their invaluable support in delivering the workshops.

Proud to be part of such an inspiring initiative!

ASPIRE Pathways to Dreaming – Year 11 & 12  - Day 1 April 2024

The ASPIRE Team (Prof. Olivia Mirza & Miss Sharidan Kearney) from School of Engineering, Design & Built Environment participated in the Year 11 & 12 Pathway to Dreaming Event to encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander high school students to pursue STEM especially Engineering, Architecture, Industrial Design and Construction Management. We ran three competitions to test their practical knowledge on stability, decision making and communication skills. The Civil Engineering workshop was organised and presented by ASPIRE Program Indigenous Project Officer Miss Sharidan Kearney. We would like to thank Tharika Kahandawa Arachchi for assisting in the event along with our connected industry partners Ventia – Jason Taylor, Surah Kitbawi and Nashwan Abdulhameed.

ASPIRE Pathways to Dreaming – Year 11 & 12 - Day 2 April 2024

Another strong presence from the ASPIRE Team (Prof. Olivia Mirza & Miss Sharidan Kearney) – School of Engineering, Design & Built Environment to be part of the Pathways to Dreaming Year 11 & 12 On Campus Days at Western Sydney University Liverpool Campus. Thank you to Miss Sharidan Kearney for organizing and presenting the workshops and Dr. Christophe Camille for being an inspiring engineering representative and assisting the event. The students were very enthusiastic, engaging and motivated to build the highest tower. This workshop not only focused on STEM education but taught the students about teamwork and communication skills. Go Team ASPIRE!!