National Youth Science Forum

[taiga]

This is definitely something which has been one of the highlights of my education.

Basically it's a two week forum where people from all around Australia come together to participate in debates, do experiments, visit tertiary facilities, participate in industry and governmental trips, and talk to some of Australia's most renowned scientists.

It's open for application by anyone with a keen interest in Engineering, Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Neuroscience, Forensics, or Environmental Sciences. Additionally there are many aspects of the program which will appeal to those keen on geography and environmental politics.

As a bonus, there is an obvious associated prestige associated in becoming an alumni of the program, with offers in some industry vocation and scholarships being made specifically to nysf alumni. Additionally it serves as the official pathway to international youth science forums, which can only further expand your passion for science.

Furthermore there is interview training, ATAR discussion, dancing, sightseeing, Rotary visits, formal events, video communication with international facilities (CERN this year) and plenty of other things you will only get out of nysf. The event is hosted either in Perth or Canberra. One of the most valuable aspects is that you make 150+ friends from all over the country and overseas, and can attend NYSF specific lectures and events throughout the year (where you have the potential to meet 300+ others)

The program is up for application soon for those in year 11 in 2011, and the forum occurs in January of each year (in your case 2012).

Strong science students can start their application via a recommendation from their science teacher, a shortlisting occurs by Rotary Australia, then an interview is conducted. If you are successful, Rotary will pay for a certain amount of the cost, and you will also have a strong affiliation with that club. The club I was associated with has offered me lots of contacts, and other opportunities, which are great. As for cost, it can be hefty to begin with, but once you approach Rotary clubs or community organizations, the cost is very much reduced. My contribution ended up being a small fraction of the initial amount!

Information will be available here over the next few months : http://www.nysf.edu.au/

If you want any information, just PM me

[enwiabe]

I tutored a student who did this! She loved it I think it's a great initiative too and really gets kids with scientific interest engaged and fastforwarded to the next part of a Scientific education.

[Stojad]

I wish I did this when I was in year 11.

[spalvains]

I tried out for it this year, managed to get past rotary interviews to district level but just failed to get a spot.
From what research I put into it, it does seem like an amazing opportunity, the people I've talked to who were in the 2009 group couldn't rate it any higher.

[Eriny]

Did you stay at Burgmann College at ANU? I saw the NYSF kids last year and they looked like they were having a lot of fun. It seems like you need to have your enthusiastic face on the whole time though, they make you chant and sing songs and such.

[taiga]

Did you stay at Burgmann College at ANU? I saw the NYSF kids last year and they looked like they were having a lot of fun. It seems like you need to have your enthusiastic face on the whole time though, they make you chant and sing songs and such.

Yes at Burgmann, a nice cozy place

Yeah we have chanting thingos as well, sounds a bit lame, but everyone gets into it eventually. People just wtff at the start though

[tea.squaredd]

Im going this year

[Comma]

I'm going to Session C (which is in Canberra) in Jan 2011

[taiga]

You'll have alot of fun

[tea.squaredd]

Damn, as if no 2011 sesh A kids on vn D:

[taiga]

tondan, advertise AN on the NYSF forum. It's really alive until the end of january

+ it's a great way of getting to know people before session

[funkyducky]

heehee 3 kids from my school are going, including a friend of mine, but they're going to Perth, not Canberra. I'm going to be @ANU at the same time NYSF is on, in just over a week from now, for NMSS (National Mathematics Summer School) which is kind of the same deal with Maths LOL....might see some NYSF kids around!

[taiga]

Yeah we saw some NMSS people last year, but not for long

[EvangelionZeta]

Ooohhh, I went to NMSS too. Good times!

[chansthename]

which is kind of the same deal with Maths

I beg to differ, from what I heard NYSF kids had parties while we did maths (the tough stuff too!)