I'd strongly suggest that she builds a free-flight model aircraft. That for sure will give her the feel of personally making something that works, and of adjusting it till it works as she wants it to. I don't know if the Australian schools system has gone so far in the over-protection direction as ours has in the UK, but if it has, then she won't be allowed near any sort of tool that just might conceivably cut her if mishandled or adhesive that might harm her if eaten or inhaled in huge quantities; in that case mum or dad may need to show her how to use blades and glues, but seeing something she has made actually flying by itself could launch her into the most truly creative career, - engineering.