Science News

Glen Innes High School students' experience: Australia’s flagship STEM youth program 

It’s not every day that hundreds of Year 12 students from all over the country get to meet the who’s who of science and technology in Australia plus tinker behind the scenes at a range of STEM organisations, but that’s exactly what the 2023 NYSF Year 12 Program delivered between 10-24 January 2023. 

John Crossley and Jordan Holley, from Glen Innes High school, were amongst hundreds of incredible students selected to participate in the 2023 NYSF Year 12 Program that included behind-the-scenes access to mind-blowing science and technology facilities. From exploring space careers at the Australian Space Discovery Centre in Adelaide; chatting penguins and sustainability with researchers in a live-cross to Antarctica; touring CSIRO facilities in Linfield; to discovering how vaccines are made in Melbourne, participants had exclusive access to discover hundreds of pathways to real-life science and technology jobs in critical industries around Australia. 

The NYSF attracts and retains Australian science and technology talent by immersing students in what a career in  STEM looks like in real life. Hearing about non-typical jobs and connecting with other like-minded young people has a life-long impact. Over 39 years, the NYSF has connected over 14,000 young Australians with science and technology futures. 

CEO of the NYSF, Dr Melanie Bagg, said: 

“The NYSF is all about helping a young person who has an interest in science and technology explore what that means beyond the classroom, beyond the subjects and how to get there. We encourage a broad range of students with varied academic abilities, as STEM is for everyone. NYSF is focussed on delivering a diverse  and highly skilled future STEM workforce to meet the predicted skills shortage in Australia.” 

These students said:  

“NYSF is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! I went into the program with the idea of going to university to do one thing and ended up leaving it wanting something completely different. The program surrounded us with many like-minded people who all came to learn, and learn we did. NYSF surrounded us all with a diverse selection of many STEM visits that we could pick and choose from, such as doing biology at  Envirolabs or Forensics with UTS. The diversity of the program is what makes NYSF so great; it pushes us out of our comfort zones and encourages us to experience other areas of STEM, which really helped me decide what I want to do later in life. If you’re having trouble deciding what to do after you leave school, or  just want to have some scientific fun during your holidays then NYSF is the program for you.” 

The NYSF attracts a diverse range of students from all over Australia. In 2023, 41.5% of participants were from remote and regional areas of Australia, and 61% were young women. An accessible program, 98 students in need have received scholarships, made possible by the Department of Industry, Science and Resources, The Western Australian  Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science & Innovation, the NSW Office of the Chief Scientist and Engineer and private donors. Rotary clubs across Australia also provide funding support to hundreds of students in their local community. 

“The NYSF experience not only provides exclusive and interactive access to STEM identities and facilities most of us have only dreamt of, but it builds a lot of confidence and illustrates the many pathways to a great career in science and technology. This empowers students to achieve their personal best and find a support network as they start their final year at school,” said Dr Bagg. 

Support from the Australian Government through the National Innovation Science Agenda (NISA), Major Partner,  Lockheed Martin Australia, host universities and a range of other partners have ensured the NYSF continues to deliver unique and high-quality, immersive STEM programs in Australia.

Media Contact: catherine@nysf.edu.au 0491 044 104