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Francesca TewMining Engineering
“I’m definitely interested in doing something around environmental engineering when I graduate: I feel that I can do some good" |
Growing up in a STEM household, with a science teacher mum and software programmer dad, it’s little surprise Francesca Tew has chosen to study both chemical and mining engineering at The University of Adelaide.
What has come as a surprise for the environmentally conscious 19-year-old is the correlation between mining and caring for the environment. “I only started my mining degree this year but it is very interesting,” she says. “I never realised how many environmental aspects were taken into consideration. I’m definitely interested in doing something around environmental engineering when I graduate: I feel that I can do some good.”
Leadership is also a passion for Tew. As a Year 10 student at Cabra Dominican College, she volunteered at The University of Adelaide’s science experiments school holiday program, sharing her knowledge and enthusiasm for learning. In Year 12, she moved from playing to coaching volleyball, thriving on watching her players develop and grow not just as athletes but also as people. “I would love to be involved in leadership roles in my career as well,” she says. “I’d like to go as high as they’ll let me.”
Having called South Australia home since the age of three, Tew has a strong loyalty to the state, which is what attracted her to apply for the Playford Trust scholarship. “I really like the values they have, specifically around remaining in South Australia and helping our economy to grow – I think that’s awesome,” she says.
Having recently suffered a knee injury while playing rugby, the financial support from the scholarship has proven invaluable. “I do casual hours in a local supermarket but haven’t been able to work, so it eases the financial burden so much.”
What has come as a surprise for the environmentally conscious 19-year-old is the correlation between mining and caring for the environment. “I only started my mining degree this year but it is very interesting,” she says. “I never realised how many environmental aspects were taken into consideration. I’m definitely interested in doing something around environmental engineering when I graduate: I feel that I can do some good.”
Leadership is also a passion for Tew. As a Year 10 student at Cabra Dominican College, she volunteered at The University of Adelaide’s science experiments school holiday program, sharing her knowledge and enthusiasm for learning. In Year 12, she moved from playing to coaching volleyball, thriving on watching her players develop and grow not just as athletes but also as people. “I would love to be involved in leadership roles in my career as well,” she says. “I’d like to go as high as they’ll let me.”
Having called South Australia home since the age of three, Tew has a strong loyalty to the state, which is what attracted her to apply for the Playford Trust scholarship. “I really like the values they have, specifically around remaining in South Australia and helping our economy to grow – I think that’s awesome,” she says.
Having recently suffered a knee injury while playing rugby, the financial support from the scholarship has proven invaluable. “I do casual hours in a local supermarket but haven’t been able to work, so it eases the financial burden so much.”