CHAYA BALASURIYA

Designed and structured comprehensive orientation programs for incoming first-year students, facilitating a smooth transition to UWC Dilijan.

Led engaging tour groups through Dilijan and organized workshops focused on safety and local integration for new students.

Collaborated effectively with committee members to create an inclusive and welcoming environment for a diverse international student body.

Organize and facilitate impactful workshops for diverse staff and student populations, promoting understanding and empathy on complex issues.

Develop and implement strategies for managing difficult conversations, enhancing the community's capacity for respectful dialogue.

Actively contribute to fostering a more inclusive and equitable environment within the UWC Dilijan community.

Organized and facilitated high-impact events and workshops on women's rights, including FemmeX Focus Week sessions and Domestic Violence & SA Awareness.

Spearheaded 'The Pad's Project' initiative, successfully bringing free feminine hygiene products to the school community.

Enhanced awareness and access to critical resources, contributing to improved well-being and education on women's health.

Successfully raised awareness about UN Youth initiatives and global issues among diverse audiences.

Managed and facilitated interactive workshops, fostering discussions and learning about diverse perspectives on international affairs.

Actively participated in Model UN summits and state conferences, demonstrating strong diplomatic and public speaking skills.

Mentored multiple FLL teams (ages 9-14), transferring advanced mechanical and research skills to young competitors.

Leveraged 5 years of international competition experience to guide teams in strategic planning and problem-solving.

Contributed directly to one team's advancement to the Moroccan World Championships, showcasing effective mentorship and coaching.

Officiated games as a certified referee for both FIRST Lego League and FIRST Tech Challenge events, ensuring adherence to rules and fair competition.

Managed administrative roles for major robotics tournaments, contributing to seamless event execution for hundreds of participants.

Supported the overall success of South Australian FIRST events, fostering a positive and competitive environment for young innovators.

Organized and executed STEM outreach programs for schools and the community, expanding access to robotics education and inspiring future innovators.

Project-managed the full lifecycle of complex FIRST Robotic Competition builds, including design, CAD, prototyping, mechanical, electrical, and software development.

Directed testing and competition strategies, leading the team through successful participation in high-stakes robotic competitions.

Represented the voice of South Australian students in a committee collaborating with the Department of Education and youth leaders statewide.

Led a critical project to rewrite the Sexual Health and Reproductive Rights Curriculum, directly addressing concerns regarding a lack of appropriate consent education.

Contributed to policy discussions and advocated for student welfare, influencing educational reforms within the state system.

Designed and constructed a 60 kg competition robot, specializing in mechanical build components and systems.

Competed annually at the Australian National Event in Sydney and Melbourne Robotics Tournament, engaging with teams nationwide.

Applied advanced mechanical engineering principles to solve complex robotic challenges, enhancing system performance and reliability.

Mentored a RoboRoos FIRST Lego League team, guiding them to advance to the Moroccan World Championships in 2022.

Organized and ran the largest stall at National Science Week's Science Alive, engaging thousands of attendees and promoting STEM education.

Coordinated and executed successful stalls at rural science fairs (e.g., Mount Barker, Victor Harbour) and workshops in schools (e.g., Seymour Girls College), expanding STEM accessibility.

Designed and programmed innovative SMART Lego robots to successfully complete complex challenges on a competition table.

Conducted annual research projects focused on addressing critical global issues, contributing to problem-solving and innovation.

Earned multiple national awards and advanced to world competitions in Houston, Detroit, and the Asia Pacific, demonstrating consistent high performance.