What are the Trailblazer Awards?
The Trailblazer Awards celebrates Year 11 and Year 12 students beyond their ATAR, recognising those who have overcome personal challenges and used their final year of school to positively impact their community.
Our Trailblazers will have the opportunity to build their personal brand and profile as a future leader, learn how to successfully apply for Early Entry, Scholarships, Co-Op, and Cadetships Opportunities, and so much more!
Find out how Ewen navigated his senior schooling differently throughout 2023!
Introducing: Ewen MacCulloch
Category: Science & Technology
School: Barker College
State: NSW
Career Aspiration: Software Engineer
Achievements
- Received the school award for “Developer of the Month” in recognition of exceptional skills and going above and beyond.
- Created an AI program called LogShield, a comprehensive machine learning project that utilises TensorFlow.js to monitor and detect malicious activity in web server access and login logs. The project, available on GitHub, is equivalent to a 3rd-year software engineering student project and aims to provide customisable and free protection against Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks.
- Demonstrated proficiency in training neural networks, particularly in the field of mathematics-based response prediction using training data. Ewen has evolved from working with Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) to developing a custom Recurrent Neural Network (RNN) model with bidirectional capabilities, allowing access to past and future training data for pattern finding.
What makes Ewen a Trailblazer?
Ewen is a Year 12 student at Barker College who has shown exceptional talent and passion in the field of Science & Technology. His dedication to software development and his remarkable achievements make him a true trailblazer.
One of Ewen’s notable accomplishments is being awarded the prestigious “Developer of the Month” at his school. This recognition was bestowed upon him for his outstanding skills and going above and beyond in his projects. Ewen’s innovative AI program, LogShield, is a testament to his exceptional abilities. Utilising the power of TensorFlow.js, LogShield effectively detects and monitors malicious activity in web server access and login logs. This project showcases Ewen’s advanced knowledge and demonstrates his commitment to providing free and customisable protection against DDoS attacks.
Ewen’s expertise extends to the training of neural networks, an area he finds highly intriguing. His journey in this field has allowed him to evolve from working with CNN models to developing his own custom RNN model with bidirectional capabilities. By leveraging this advanced technology, Ewen has enhanced the pattern-finding capabilities of his projects. This dedication to expanding his knowledge and mastering complex concepts demonstrates his commitment to pushing boundaries and creating innovative solutions.
While Ewen excels in technical skills, he acknowledges that he faces challenges in expressing his ideas and responses verbally. He recognises the importance of strong communication skills, particularly in the English language, and aims to improve his ability to articulate his thoughts clearly. Ewen seeks to use the support award as an opportunity to enhance his English proficiency and written responses, enabling him to communicate effectively and confidently. By honing his communication skills, Ewen aims to become a well-rounded software engineer who can not only develop exceptional code but also effectively convey his ideas and insights.
With a passion for coding that spans over five years, Ewen has set his sights on a career as a software engineer. His ability to dissect and understand complex code and projects highlights his natural talent and dedication to the field. Ewen’s practical experience, including internships at Libertas LLC as a Bot Engineer and his current role as Lead Jr Developer at Cyclone Servers, has provided him with valuable real-world exposure to software development, project management, REST APIs, and customer support.
Ewen’s commitment to personal growth extends beyond his academic pursuits. He actively engages in basketball and strength and conditioning training, showcasing his dedication to maintaining a balanced and healthy lifestyle.
Ewen MacCulloch’s exceptional skills, passion for software development, and commitment to continuous learning make him a true Trailblazer in the field of Science & Technology. His innovative projects, including LogShield, demonstrate his ability to push boundaries and create solutions that address real-world challenges. Ewen’s ambition to become a software engineer and his dedication to mastering coding languages make him an inspiring role model for aspiring developers. With his drive, technical prowess, and determination, Ewen MacCulloch rightfully earns his place among our Top 50 Trailblazers!
The Top 50 Year 11 and Year 12 Trailblazer Awards
The Trailblazer Awards aim to identify and celebrate students who use their final years of school to invest holistically in the skills and experiences that will maximise their own future opportunities and make a contribution to the future of our society.
Our winners for the Year 11 and Year 12 Trailblazer Awards have demonstrated initiative in volunteering for their school or community, have participated in co-curricular activities, and have held leadership positions within their schools.
Learn more about who placed in the Top 50 Year 11 and Year 12 Trailblazers here!
About Art of Smart Education
At Art of Smart Education, we’re an award-winning provider of holistic tutoring and mentoring for students in years K-12. Our mission is to help students answer the difficult question, “What am I going to do with my life when I finish school, and how do I get there?”
We understand that true success involves mastering study, career and leadership skills while maintaining your wellbeing, not just excelling in academics and as a result, over the last decade, we’ve supported over 10,000 students to achieve their best and maximise their options for life after school.
Each year over one million young Australians, parents, and teachers access our guides, videos and resources to navigate the journey through high school.
