The National Youth

Science Forum

The National Youth Science Forum (NYSF) is a competitive summer program for Year 12 students who are interested in careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The NYSF provides insight into further studies and careers in STEM, while developing communication and interpersonal skills.

The NYSF began in 1984 and runs in partnership with the Australian government, major industry, national research institutes and universities. Rotary is the Founding Partner of the NYSF and the 21 local Rotary districts across Australia support the NYSF through managing the applications and selections on their behalf, contributing to funding or fundraising, volunteering at the January programs and promotion in their local communities.

My Experience

I recently attended the district interviews in Grenfell, after seeking the endorsement of the Wollundry Rotary Club and submitting an application. An email later that day informed me that I was successful, and that I would be attending session A next January at the Australian National University in Canberra.

There will be two sessions held in Canberra at the ANU, and one session held in Brisbane at the UQ in 2018. Each session is then divided into study areas, including health and medical, food, environmental, chemistry, engineering, physics, and computing. I have requested to be a part of the health and medical science group.

For the two weeks in January, I will be living on campus as a university student, along with 200 other students from across Australia. Over this time, I will be involved in workshops, group problem solving activities, meeting with scientists and researchers, going on site/laboratory visits, attending presentations, university seminars and social events.

After the January forum, I will have further opportunities as part of the NYSF Alumni network to return to future January programs as a member of the student staff or go to international science forums.

I am hoping to gain a better understanding of what would be involved in a career in STEM over the course of this experience. I will also get to meet students from across Australia and members of the science community, to form a long term network of people.

Year 11 Student | Lucy Bannister