My passion for STEM has continued throughout so I now find myself coordinating an outreach program to assist schools to implement hands-on robotics activities in the classroom, happily combining science, maths, science communication and teaching into a single role. - Annika
Over the past months we have heard from many alumni, encouraging Year 11 students from across Australia to apply for the NYSF 2021 Year 12 Program. Attending the National Youth Science Forum (NYSF), previously the National Science Summer School (NSSS), impacts the lives of our participants from gaining insight on possible STEM careers to creating connections with like minded peers across the nation. Nowhere is this more evident than in the families containing multiple generations of NYSF alumni. In our final installation of this alumni family series we hear from Annika and Jayden Lyttle, two hard working STEM enthusiast with one overarching message of the power of NYSF friendships.
In 1989 Annika Lyttle attended the NSSS Session A program and exactly 30 year later her son Jayden made the same journey to Canberra to attended the NYSF 2019 Year 12 Program, Session C.
What was a piece of science you witnessed at the program?
As part of the Medical Laboratory Science interest group I remember visiting the AISC and having demonstrations (on fellow group members) of the equipment used to test athletes to help them reach peak performance. -A
As a member of the Lovelace computer science group I got to go and visit the Super Computer on campus at ANU, which was awesome given just over a year ago I had travelled overseas to the US to attend the HPC conference in 2017 and to see an example of how it was working in the real world was incredible. -J
NYSF 2019 Year 12 Program - Lovelace Interest Group, Session C
What was your dream or passion in year 12, what is it now?
I was always interested in both maths and science and keen to explore all and any options I could chase to further explore them. Having decided that Med. Lab Science was probably not for me, I took a cadetship with a large accounting firm after year 12 while studying a Bachelor of Economics to test out a career utilising mathematics. Always keen to learn something new, I moved from professional accounting to business strategy and planning particularly enjoying working for companies such as Foxtel during their start-up phases. In each of the roles I found myself picking up increasing responsibility for training others so decided to follow this passion to retrain as a teacher. My passion for STEM has continued throughout so I now find myself coordinating an outreach program to assist schools to implement hands-on robotics activities in the classroom, happily combining science, maths, science communication and teaching into a single role. -A
My passion in year 12 was computer science and mathematics, and I am currently studying mathematics at university as part of a double degree with engineering. I am hoping to work more on the computer science side of things as my time at university continues. Given how close NYSF and year 12 has been my passions haven’t changed much or at all. -J
NSSS 1989 Medical Science Interest Group, Session A
What is your favourite memory from the program?
The lasting memory from the program for me revolves around the fantastic group of people I met and remained in close contact with for many years. It was amazing to be together with so many like-minded people for this amazing experience. -A
My favourite memory from the program has to be when my interest group went to the shops in Canberra prior to the science disco, and we were going through the shops chanting and just causing a little bit of a ruckus with the rest of our session. Or alternatively it might be the bus ride back from Canberra to Brisbane, because after spending two weeks with people and forming close bonds with them, that last bit of time while being sad was so much fun. -J
NYSF 2019 Year 12 Program Session C
What would you say to prospective NYSF 2021 Year 12 applicants?
Life is a journey and each step you take opens doors you never even knew existed. This opportunity to step away from the everyday routines, explore amazing possibilities, and get to know others like yourself from all over is not to be missed.-A
NYSF is a life changing program and it has made me friends who I keep in contact with and hope to for the rest of my life. The ability to learn about science with likeminded people is just something special and unlike anything else. -J
Annika and Jayden
Thank you to Annika and Jayden for sharing just a few details your time on program, and thank you to all the NYSF families, Janine and Indi, Jo and Abigail and Kaylene and Tom, who have given us just a small insight into their NYSF experience.
NSSS 1989 Session A / NYSF 2019 Session C
If you have something to say about your NYSF experience, and where you are now, let us know! Email communications@nysf.edu.au with subject "My "YEAR" NYSF Experience and beyond".
DON'T FORGET applications for the NYSF 2021 Year 12 Program close on June 14, less than two weeks away! Encourage all STEM passionate year 11 students to submit their applications here!