What are the Trailblazer Awards?
The Trailblazer Awards celebrates 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 network with industry leaders, build their personal brand and profile as a future leader, learn key career skills in our 3-day Pathfinder Accelerator, and so much more!
Find out how Nell navigated Year 12 differently throughout 2021!
Introducing: Nell Slattery
Category: Science & Technology
School: Engadine High School
Career Aspiration: Science/Engineering/Health
Achievements
- Contributed over 670 observations to INaturalist Australia
- Identified over 200 unique species
- Observations resourced by the Atlas of Living Australia
- Work recognised by the Global Biodiversity Information Facility
What makes Nell a Trailblazer?
Collecting over 670 observations to INaturalist Australia, an online database, Nell contributed a plethora of data and observations for her local area. INaturalist is a platform that allows scientists and citizens to collaborate on research, data collection and monitoring. Nell, an avid bushwalker, has collected observations on her walks, and covered the data that her local area lacked.
Alongside contributing over 670 observations of her own, Nell has also assisted in over 1100 observations of Australian Species. She has successfully identified over 200 unique species, including a Humpback whale. Nell’s data has been valued by the scientific community. Deemed research-grade, Nell’s observations have been resourced by The Atlas of Living Australia and the Global Biodiversity Information Facility.
Nell has also gotten involved with the project ‘Saving Our Black Cockatoos Southwest Australia’ by classifying data on this endangered species and monitoring their population and habitat. Assisting on 300 identifications within this group, and her numerous other contributions, Nell has become heavily involved with INaturalist and the online community.
Within her school and school community, Nell is involved in her school parliament and the student sustainability council. Working on her communication and public speaking skills, Nell has learnt to present speeches and collaborate with others.
Nell has completed work experience as a surveyor, working with Laser Distance Measurement, 3D modelling programs and Computer-Aided Design programs. She also attended the Suncorp STEM experience program and participated in team building and technology-based activities.
“I have learnt a lot from being involved in INaturalist, especially about the intertwined activities of the natural world, and it has given me a fond appreciation of nature.”
Passionate about the environment, Nell has found herself involved in the Student Sustainability Council alongside a number of volunteering positions with local school groups supporting refugees, teaching science in preschools and organising the World’s Greatest Shave. Alongside this, with her immense scientific and environmental contributions, Nell is one of our Top 50 recipients of the 2021 Trailblazer Awards!
The Top 50 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 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 12 Trailblazers here!
About Art of Smart Education
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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.
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