Author: siobhancampbell

By Kaylee Li

As a motivated and passionate individual, by 2030 I’d love to be helping our planet by becoming an aerospace engineer and maybe also a lecturer in a university beyond 2030. It has always been my dream to do something related to the undiscovered outer space and teaching; for the impact of both that can achieve for humanity’s future. Together, with my aerospace engineering skills, communication skills, strength in imaginative design and teaching skills, I could solve various problems of different sorts. From changing a young individual’s perspective towards STEM, to advocating more advanced space technologies and materials. People always say ‘this is the generation’… I do believe this is the generation for human’s imagination and dreams to be turned to reality gradually. However, we need to let this generation to know that “each one of us is born with a special talent, a unique dream or aspiration” as stated by Alyssa Carson, an 18 year old American girl who had a passion for the Red Planet, Mars.

Coming back to Australia as a 10 year old girl with my family was a turn for my perspective. In the country where I was born, they don’t necessarily know the language. However, I decided to take all the opportunities I could possibly find to gain the skill of this new language. Including joining various school extra-curricular activities, volunteering, joining youth clubs, churches, and trying my best in classes. Because I know, aside from the goal which I will gradually reach, the journey and obstacles which I come to face are the real successes when I break through. Hence, from that point in grade 5-6 primary school, I decided that no matter what I come across, I will never give up.

It was also primary school in Australia from grade 5-6 where my instinct in the interest of mathematics been opened. Before coming back to Australia, there was a feeling, but there was always something blocking it. Hence, I wanted to let everyone I could possibly tell, especially the young ones; never “block these dreams or give up” even if there is “fear or worry”, because “in the middle of difficulties lies opportunities.”

When I was little, even before coming to Australia, I loved science fiction and fantasy, especially those related to the undiscovered universe and spacecraft from the bottom of my heart, which was fantastic. I still do now. It has always been a dream to do something related to space, especially when I reached high school, Cherrybrook Technology High School, where I experienced the subject called STEM with a focus on aerodynamic in semester 1, year 10. I made a remote-control glider from scratch with my partner. It was extremely satisfying. From that journey, I can feel my passion in aerospace expanding.

By 2030, I believe I could become an aerospace engineer. My first step is to experience as many programs about STEM and space as possible. Including all the STEM electives I took at school, Australian Air Force Cadets which I joined recently, Girls Programming Network which was conducted by University of Sydney, UTS Engineering day, and many UNSW programs, such as Women in Symposium, Exploring STEM careers, etc. Incoming programs include the UNSW Engineering day, and the work experience in Science in November.

From all the experiences I’ve experienced and stories that I’ve heard, I will share and tell those who don’t yet know the beauty of STEM or any dreams that had been shut for reality. By doing this, the problem of people who don’t yet enjoy STEM would decrease, while more people could see how dreams should never be given up that easily and it is possible to transfer dreams to reality, simply by actions.

By becoming an aerospace engineer, I could join the team and help our planet’s rocketries to improve and explore deeper mysteries of planets, more understanding of Mars, and maybe explore other galaxies with humanities on board.

Now, I can see my exciting, vibrant, high space tech, STEM future with teams of passionate and motivated individuals of different cultures, perspectives, and most importantly, ideas. No matter where I will work in Australia, or across the world. In the approaching decades, space technologies for humankind will leap faster and jump farther. As our planet is becoming more multicultural and interconnected. Hence, we can be the best version of humanity.

“The only way to discover the limits of the possible is to go beyond them into the impossible.” With the support of one another, we humanity, together, we turn today’s dream into tomorrow’s reality. Because we will “be brave” and “fight for what we believe in and make our dreams our reality!”

 

By Arundhati Shiva

BY 2030, I’D LOVE TO BE CONTRIBUTING TO MAKE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE USING STEM

One of my goals is to focus on our current lifestyles and work to change our impact on the climate. Our planet has reached a point where climate change is continuing to take centre stage throughout the world via protests and campaigns.

Unfortunately, we have reached the point where by the end of 2020, if no change is made from our current carbon emissions, our actions will be irreversible. As future leaders of this planet, climate change is an issue that needs to be addressed head- on, meaning no delays with realistic goals and commitment.

Australia’s emissions have risen by 16% in the last 10 years. Australia is one of the most carbon-intensive economies in the developed world and our emissions are increasing. At this rate, by the end of 2019, it is estimated that we will have released 545 metric tons of carbon dioxide (Mt CO2).

By 2030, I’d love to be part of tackling this issue by implanting a filtration device within all Australian homes, apartments and buildings that works by decomposing wastes like sewage and rubbish into reusable forms of energy to power electrical appliances such as TV, dishwasher, washing machine etc.

This way, our waste impact reduces, and with these progressive movements, our planet won’t be in as much danger.

13% of the Sahara desert’s solar energy can power the world. Solar energy is a renewable, free source of energy and unlike fossil fuels, will always be around. With this in mind, we can create portable solar panels installed in the deserts all around the world to capture the solar energy.

To absorb the heat as much as possible, further research needs to be conducted in order to understand how current solar technology can be improved in terms of heat retention and absorption. Some pathways worth researching include shapes; if shape has any effect and other materials that could be used in new forms of solar technology.

Another pathway that can be taken, is to research naturally occurring materials and their properties.

Natural stones absorb heat the best as they have a high density and excellent thermal conductivity. Currently, soapstone and marble are known to be the best at this. Given these stones are naturally occurring, they are also renewable.

As part of developing solar technologies, further study needs to be conducted in order to fully understand and maximise their chemical properties.

 

After visiting the Cochlear site and the Holsworthy Barracks, I was inspired by technological innovations I had never imagined before. These new developments reinforced examples of how people are making changes to other lives. This was a real eye-opening experience that showed the type of world we are merging to become. With the newfound technology at Cochlear, many more innovations can be made in the process of addressing climate change. We changes made to the aircraft and how engineering plays a vital role.

It made me realise that to combat climate change, new technology and strategies need to be developed, and those at Cochlear and the Holsworthy Barracks are amongst those that have proven change.

Combating climate change as one nation, needs changes throughout the rest of the world. We must also confront the issue regarding the rich and poor divide across the globe. If the gap can be reduced, this can be evened out by sharing our resources and aiding countries that need an extra push to make similar changes.

I specifically chose this image as it highlights the importance of our decisions. It emphasises that we are in a critical stage; what we choose from here on determines our future of our planet.

With right choices and decisions, the Earth can be restored to its everlasting green. Our choices make or break our planet.

The image weighs out a world as it used to be; humans and nature living jointly so that each can survive.

However, it also shows the other side, a world where we are currently headed for, with dreaded ruins and factories, destroying the planet. It’s for us to choose.

If we don’t act as soon as possible, the future generations will be in trouble.

 

 

 

Credits

News article on Paris emissions targets

 Article about Sahara Desert solar panels/Inspiration