Students learn about science beyond high school at NYSF
Seven students attended this year’s National Youth Science Forum (NYSF) at the Australian National University in Canberra. The two-week residential program is offered to Year 11 students with a passion for science and an interest in pursuing it as a career. We were selected by our respective Rotary Club districts to attend this prestigious event after completing a rigorous application and interview process.
Through the seminars, lectures and lab visits we attended we learnt important life skills such as critical thinking, entrepreneurship and networking. We heard from and saw the work of professionals in the scientific field, including science communicators, molecular biologists and quantum physicists. This experience broadened our view of the world of science beyond high school.
The Rotary and Science dinners provided us with an opportunity to practise our newly developed networking skills, as we were able to talk to many Rotarians and professionals in the science field.
Our experience at the NYSF and the friendships we made will stay with us forever. We would like to extend a huge thank you to Rotary, the National Youth Science Forum staff, the PLC Sydney Foundation, the Science staff and Dr Burgis, for making this amazing opportunity possible for all of us.
By Lauren Sharpe, Philippa Lam, Jasmine Atkins, Esther Kang, Catherine Taylor, Amanda Sieber and Emma Carnuccio.
Above: Philippa Lam (right) at Mulloon Creek Farm, testing the variety and amount of water invertebrates in specific areas to observe the effect of leaky weirs on biodiversity.