Indigenous STEM students set for NASA mission

Monash University

Eight First Nations tertiary students will travel to the United States for a 10-week placement at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). The program is part of Monash University’s pioneering National Indigenous Space Academy (NISA), which aims to build Indigenous participation in Australia’s growing space sector.

Founded in 2019, the NISA program is now in its eighth year and boasts an alumnus of 29 program participants. In 2026, NISA received national recognition at the Australian Space Awards, acknowledged with two Group Category honours: Indigenous Space Initiative of the Year and Diversity Initiative Program of the Year.

Of the eight students selected, Jordan Roulstone, a 3rd-year student completing a Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical) (Honours) and Bachelor of Information Technology (Computer Science) at QUT, has been awarded an inaugural Boeing NISA Scholarship.

A proud Warumungu man with connections to Tennant Creek and Alice Springs who grew up in north Brisbane and Caboolture, Jordan says “I’m fascinated by how AI can be used to improve current meteorology tools and solve some of the biggest challenges in space exploration. NISA will give me the opportunity to learn from people working at the forefront of these fields.”

“I want to build a career that contributes to Australia’s future in space and advanced engineering, but I also want to help create a future where more Indigenous young people can see themselves in STEM. QUT has supported me on that journey, and this scholarship is another step towards making that vision a reality,” Jordan said.

Named the inaugural Boeing Scholar, Jordan says “Being awarded the Boeing scholarship to attend NISA is an incredible opportunity to take what I’ve learnt at QUT and apply it in a world-class space and engineering environment. I’m excited to gain hands-on experience and see where that can take my career.”

“Boeing Australia has more than 5,000 employees working across our business supporting a range of commercial, defence and space projects and is committed to growing our future teammates with our university partners," said Steve ‘Zed’ Roberton, President Boeing Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific.

“Through this scholarship and unique program, Jordan and the NISA cohort will have the opportunity to experience aerospace innovation firsthand including one of our US facilities, gaining invaluable insights to help them with their studies and hopefully future careers within the Australian aerospace industry.”

Jordan will be joined at NASA JPL by Jamal Woods - also a student at QUT - who has been selected to participate in this year’s NISA Program. Completing a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Mechanical), Jamal is a proud Dunghutti man who grew up on Bundjalung country at Tweed Heads and says studying engineering at QUT had opened up opportunities and given him the confidence to pursue them.

“NISA is an incredible opportunity to take that next step, explore a career in the space industry and learn from leading experts at JPL,” Jamal said.

Each NISA student will be paired with a scientist or engineer mentor at NASA JPL.This year's NISA cohort includes:

• Tash Lee, Monash University
• Jamal Woods, QUT
• Jordan Roulstone, QUT
• Jaimie Duffy, University of New England
• Noah Davis, University of Sydney
• Alaxandrea O'Brien, University of Western Australia
• Claire Weis, UNSW
• Alexander Cramp, UNSW

While at NASA, students will work on projects developed by their mentors and contribute to current missions, including work involving ocean exploration vehicles and research into microorganisms aboard the International Space Station.

Before travelling to the US, NISA students will undertake a Space Boot Camp at Monash University, covering areas including aerodynamics, robotics, rovers, astrophysics, planetary science, engineering, computer science and earth sciences, as well as past and current NASA missions. They will also undertake industry visits including to Boeing Aerostructures Australia’s advanced manufacturing facility in Port Melbourne where the company produces components for Boeing 737, 777 and 787s.

Professor Chris Lawrence, Director of the National Indigenous Space Academy and Professor of Practice in Space Innovation and Security Capabilities in the Faculty of Engineering at Monash University, said the scholarship would have a transformative impact.

“NISA provides Indigenous STEM university students the unique opportunity to study and learn at two of the world’s leading space research facilities, RAL Space in the UK and NASA/JPL in the US. Students work in teams on real life space missions and contribute to space exploration and search for other planets, solar systems and the ultimate search for other life existence in the galaxies. NISA is a life changing program for the next generation of space explorers,” Professor Lawrence said.

Applications for NISA’s 2027 program will open soon. Students can apply via the NISA website.  

Learn more about NISA here. Learn more about Boeing here.

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MEDIA ENQUIRIES

Hande Cater, Monash University
P: +61 0456 428 906 
E:  [email protected]

Natacha Dobrovolsky, Boeing Australia 
P: +61 403 873 637
E: [email protected]