I was one of only 35 participants selected for the Apple Foundation Program at RMIT. Being chosen for this immersive Women-in-Tech Challenge-Based Learning experience motivated me to grow as a designer, learner and problem-solver. The program was structured into three phases, each building on the last: 📍 Phase 1 – Engage I collaborated with peers from diverse backgrounds, which brought new perspectives to every discussion. We explored vast problem spaces, questioned assumptions and embraced the messy, confusing, yet exciting process of research and discovery. 📍 Phase 2 – Investigate Our “UI/UX stigma days” and coding sprint. I learned SwiftUI and Xcode while expanding my understanding of user experience. It was a week of testing, pivoting and learning by doing, which pushed me far beyond my comfort zone. 📍 Phase 3 – Act This was where design came alive. I brought my design expertise into action, shaping ideas into wireframes, refining user flows and proudly pitching our app concept to Apple representatives, RMIT executives and mentors. Together, my team and I developed a gamified app that helps children aged 8–11 build digital safety skills. More than just a concept, it was about exploring how technology can empower kids to navigate the online world with confidence and care. Valuable lessons and skills that shaped my journey: ✨ Applied human-centred design and Apple’s frameworks to turn ideas into prototypes ✨ Learned coding in Swift and Xcode in ways I never thought I could, and truly enjoyed it ✨ Led design in Figma, refining user flows and interfaces with purpose ✨ Developed leadership, collaboration, storytelling and pitching skills ✨ Embrace iteration, moving from challenge and uncertainty to clarity and creation ✨ Built creative confidence across design, coding and public speaking Presenting our gamified app Cypherland and Orbie to Apple professionals, developers, RMIT STEM College executives, and the Dean of the School of Computing Technologies was inspiring, rewarding and one of the most meaningful highlights of my experience so far.