While the program may have just concluded, the NYSF engine room continues to run hot with applications for the NYSF 2019 Year 12 Program having opened on 1 March.
January 2018 was the biggest year on record in the 35-year history of the NYSF. Between our Brisbane and Canberra locations nearly 600 young people participated in three sessions of the NYSF Year 12 program; just under 80 science teachers from across the country took part in the two NYSF National Science Teachers Summer School (NSTSS) Programs; and for the third consecutive year our communications intern program ran successfully as well.
With January behind us I would like to officially recognise the contributions of all those who supported program delivery this January - and of those there are many.
First, a big thank you to the NYSF Corporate team and the Board for their hard work and dedication over this busy period. Thank you to our 68 student staff (pictured below) for their inspiring support, and in particular our three Chief’s of Staff – Kathleen (Wiz), Harley and Patrick. Thanks to all the Rotary volunteers, from the District Chairs and club members who ran selections, to the “Aunts, Uncles, Mums and Dads” who provided pastoral care and support on session.
Student Staff from Session A, B & C in order
I’d like to thank The Australian National University and Burgmann College for hosting us once again, and The University of Queensland and Emmanuel College for supporting the inaugural Brisbane session. And thank you to all those who opened the doors of their labs and work sites to our participants, volunteering not just their time but also enthusiasm, and to all the scientists, researchers and NYSF alumni who addressed the students with inspiring lectures and talks.
Finally, all of our programs could not exist without the financial and logistical support of our Partners and Sponsors and in particular the National Innovation Science Agenda (NISA), whose funding enabled us to offer an additional 200 places in 2018. I thank them for their contributions and continued support of the organisation and its programs.
While the program may have just concluded, the NYSF engine room continues to run hot with applications for the 2019 Year 12 Program having opened on 1 March. International Program applications for 2018 participants are currently being processed, Next Step registrations are underway and planning for STEM Explorer, running again in July in Adelaide, has commenced.
If you would like to know more about what happened in January I’d encourage you to visit our news section on the website. There you will find a range of fascinating and insightful content, a great deal of which has been provided by the six communications interns who joined us through January.
Finally, and most importantly, I encourage all those reading to tap any Year 11 students you know who are interested in science and technology on the shoulder and encourage them to apply for the NYSF 2019 Year 12 Program, which will again have 600 places available. I'm looking forward to another big year!
Dr Damien Pearce
CEO
