Recently, Isra Eski and Lucy Bott (Y12) participated in the National Youth Science Forum (NYSF). The NYSF is an organisation that inspires Australia's young scientists through a range of STEM experiences. Isra and Lucy have written about their participation in the NYSF, the guest speakers they heard from and how the NYSF has empowered them to pursue careers in STEM.
In mid-January during the school holidays, we were provided with a wonderful opportunity to participate in Australia's NYSF. NYSF is a not-for-profit organisation that coordinates numerous residential programs, with the aim of encouraging young people to foster their passion for STEM. The 2022 program was due to run for 12 days, with the first week held virtually and the second week an opportunity for in-person visits. Unfortunately due to the rising OMICRON cases across Australia at the time, the entire Forum was held virtually.
Throughout the Forum we participated in a range of activities. We heard from some truly amazing special guest speakers, that included Nobel laureates Professor Peter C. Doherty, who spoke about his medical research on infection and immunity, and Professor Brian Schmidt on his outstanding work in astrophysics.
We had surreal experiences engaging in international live-streams from the Casey, Davis and Mawson Research Stations in Antarctica, a particle physics company called CERN from Switzerland and the Natural History Museum in London. The presenters were incredible and included lecturers, former students and coordinators from Australia's top universities, who advised us of their STEM career pathways.
By participating in the 2022 NYSF program, we have made numerous professional and personal connections across Australia and have been able to engage with and present questions to some of Australia's leading scientists. In the April school holidays, we will have the opportunity to attend in-person visits to several outstanding academic institutions and learn how significant and valuable STEM careers will be in the future.
The NSYF was an inspirational event, and we loved having the opportunity to engage with like-minded people who share our passion for STEM. We highly recommend that CGGS students participate in the NYSF in future years, so they too can pursue their passions in STEM.
Isra Eski and Lucy Bott
Year 12 Students