Aboriginal Student Program

Exploring UWA

A Day of Learning and Fun for Year 9 Aboriginal Boys

On Tuesday, 21 November our Year 9 Aboriginal boys embarked on an exciting journey to the University of Western Australia (UWA) to participate in the Year 9 Djinanginy program. In Noongar language, 'Djinanginy' translates to 'looking' or 'seeing,' encapsulating the essence of this initiative aimed at providing Aboriginal students with a firsthand experience of the university environment.

The day kicked off with a warm welcome and engaging icebreaker activities, fostering connections among students hailing from various regions across Western Australia. Trinity, along with his peers Merecedes and Moora, had the opportunity to explore the campus, delving into a mix of lecture-style sessions and hands-on activities spanning different study areas.

The journey began with a fascinating visit to the robotics department, where the students glimpsed into the future of work through AI-inspired robots. These technological marvels showcased capabilities in sorting, designing, and even assisting with a robot wheelchair. The adventure continued to the lab, where the boys actively participated in an experiment, extracting DNA from strawberries. The day reached new heights as they explored the astronomy department, utilizing high-power telescopes to observe dark spots on the sun—each tiny black dot magnified through the telescope revealed itself as colossal as the Earth!

Wrapping up the day on a cheerful note, students engaged in a friendly rock-paper-scissors competition before relishing a well-deserved and refreshing lunch.

The Year 9 Djinanginy program not only offered our students valuable insights into university life but also sparked curiosity and enthusiasm for diverse fields of study. We look forward to more enriching experiences that broaden our students' horizons and inspire their academic pursuits.