The Chair of the National Youth Science Forum (NYSF), Mr Andrew Metcalfe AO today welcomed the announcement from the Honourable Greg Hunt, Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science that funding of $600,000 over a four-year period would be provided to the NYSF.
“This funding support from the Commonwealth Government through the National Innovation Science Agenda (NISA) is very welcome and timely,” said Mr Metcalfe. “Having operated for over 30 years, the NYSF has a proven product with more than 10,000 young people progressing through its programs to date. This funding will allow the organisation to widen its offerings.”
“We had almost 1200 applicants in 2015-16 for the NYSF’s Year 12 January program but only 400 places available. This funding will allow us to look at options for offering the program to even more science students wishing to explore their career options in the STEM fields.”
Specifically, Mr Metcalfe said that the NYSF will consider alternate locations to once again deliver a third session of the January program, and meet the significant demand for places. “This will allow us to build on the solid base we currently have through our relationship with our Canberra host university, The Australian National University, which sees 400 students visit their campus each January.”
Some of the NISA funds will also be used to establish an equity fund to encourage students from diverse backgrounds to participate in the NYSF’s January program, and to support the NYSF’s long-running National Science Teachers’ Summer School (NSTSS).
“These additional initiatives are important platforms in our engagement strategy to increase the understanding of the Australian community about the possible options for young people in STEM study and careers,” said Mr Metcalfe.
About the NYSF program
This January, 400 students entering year 12, who have a passion for science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) subjects will arrive in Canberra for the NYSF 2017 January Sessions. Throughout the month, over two separate sessions, participants will live on campus at our host university, The Australian National University (ANU), visit local facilities, take part in science tours and activities, listen to fascinating lectures and talks from leading Australian researchers, take part in debates and speed-date events with our funding partners, and have fun at a range of social activities – all designed to facilitate the development of their first professional networks.
From Albany to Ararat, from Broken Hill to Bundaberg , the participants in the NYSF 2017 will arrive in Canberra keen to learn about possible tertiary study options, and the potential for future careers that arise from those study choices. And they will go home, ready to embark on their final year of secondary schooling, with renewed enthusiasm.
Over its thirty-year history the NYSF has a proven track record in providing our future scientists, engineers, technology practitioners and mathematicians a program that offers insights and opportunities to discuss the variety of study and career options available to them in STEM fields.
Current NYSF funding partners are listed here: www.nysf.edu.au/partners.
Additional background
In 2015-16 the NYSF
- Attracted approximately 1200 applicants
- More than 600 were assessed as suitable to attend the program
- 400 places were available for students to attend
- 60 panels of volunteers from 21 Rotary Districts across Australia selected students to attend
- 196 science visits and site tours were conducted in January 2016
- 23 Next Step visits were conducted in major partner centres during school holidays in 2016
- 43% of our NYSF 2016 participants came from rural and regional areas of Australia, reflecting our national reach, facilitated by Rotary
- 59% of our NYSF 2016 participants were female
- NYSF’s established national networks allows it to reach Australian schools and their students
www.nysf.edu.au
Further information: Amanda Caldwell, NYSF 0410 148 173