You can only learn so much about the Earth from a lecture. At some point, you need to go outside and see it for yourself.
That’s exactly what students in UWA’s Earth Systems Engineering unit (GENG1014) did when they headed to John Forrest National Park. Instead of leaning about geological systems from slides alone, they explored them first-hand, examining rock formations, uncovering geological clues and seeing how the natural environment influences engineering decisions.
Students engaged with geological features.
Learning beyond the classroom
Engineering isn’t just about equations and theory. It’s about how thinks work in the real world. For first-year students in Earth Systems Engineering, the excursion provided an opportunity to see classroom concepts in action. Throughout the day, students investigated geological features, observed changes in the landscape and worked together to interpret what they saw.
Out in the park, rock formations were partially hidden, the terrain was uneven, and the landscape revealed its story gradually. By examining granite boulders, observing changes in the rock profile, and piecing together geological clues sitting in plain sight, students applied what they had learned in the classroom to a real-world setting.
"I’ve been there before, just as a normal visitor, mainly going for a walk. This time was completely different because I wasn’t just looking at the scenery; I was looking at it from a geological perspective. It was the same park, but I started noticing layers and rock formations that I’d walked past many times before without really seeing them
- Hamid Bakhtiari (Master of Professional Engineering in Mining, 1st Year)
Exploring billions years of history
Why John Forrest National Park? Just outside Perth, the park offers a side-by-side look at two vastly different timescales: geological time and human engineering history.
Students examined granite formations estimated to be around 2.6-billion years old before walking through the historic Swan View Tunnel. Built during the WA gold rush in the 1890s, the tunnel highlighted the challenges engineers faced at the time, carving a route through solid rock using little more than manual labour and explosives.
Experiencing the tunnel firsthand gave students a new appreciation for the scale of the project and the engineers who designed it and built it more than a century ago.
"The most surprising thing was probably seeing the scale of the Swan View Tunnel and to be there in person. It's quite remarkable seeing how they built such a big infrastructure work, especially considering the time in which they did it.”
- Gabriel Yannarakis (Bachelor of Mining Engineering and Business Economics, 1st year)
"Being able to walk through that tunnel is really impressive because you’re walking in infrastructure that was built 130 years ago and is still standing today."
- Adryl Lau (Bachelor of Mining Engineering student, 2nd year)
Students listening to the industry mentor at the sweeping view of the valley.
Learning from industry
The excursion also gave students the opportunity to meet practising engineers and gain insights from industry professionals.
They teamed up in small groups to work on their projects, discuss observations on rock formations, spoke with classmates they rarely spoke to before, and ask questions to experienced engineers from CMW Geosciences who joined the trip as demonstrators.
Unit coordinator Dr Nazanin Nourifard mentioned that one of the most rewarding aspects of the day was seeing students grow in confidence as they connected theory with practice.
"Watching their confidence and curiosity grow in a matter of one day is just so remarkable. By the end of the field trip, we can see students debating in front of a feature with one another based on what they learned in lectures."
Building future-ready engineers
It’s one thing to learn concepts in class. It’s another to experience them in the field, work with others to solve problems and see how engineering connects to the world around you. Need some advice?
Hear what Hamid and Adryl have to say:
"I’d tell them it’s not just going to be sitting in lectures for three or four years. You’ll get opportunities to go out into the field, work with real equipment, and solve real problems...It’s a much more practical experience than most people expect."
"My advice for future students who want to do mining engineering, or any engineering, is just do it. Because engineering is fun! It opens up so many opportunities, builds your critical thinking, and develops your soft skills, which are important and applicable to any industry you want to pursue."
Ready to see where Engineering at UWA can take you?
From fieldtrips in your first year to industry placements and hands-on learning opportunities, studying engineering at UWA is about applying what you learn in real-world settings.
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