“What next?” is the question from delegates at the National Youth STEM Summit; young Australians who are at the decision point of how best to use their science and technology interest and training to solve Australia’s biggest challenges.
Marking 40 years of impact, the National Youth Science Forum (NYSF) is igniting the future of Australia’s young science and technology talent this weekend at the National Youth STEM Summit in Canberra!
During this National Science Week between 17-19 August, we are excited to welcome 87 delegates from across Australia to Canberra for the National Youth STEM Summit. Among them are 18 young Indigenous scholarship holders who are eager to explore their next steps in STEM.
The STEM Summit is for young Australians who have left school and started their first degree or training, or are in the early stages of a science and technology career. The Summit features a terrific array of guest speakers leading discussions on the latest developments in STEM. It also includes peer and sector networking opportunities, a Career and Study expo and a range of professional development workshops and to help delegates best navigate their future in the Australian STEM landscape.
By providing an inclusive platform that amplifies the voices and needs of diverse young Australian STEM practitioners, the NYSF National Youth STEM Summit fosters innovation, nurtures talent, and helps build Australia’s future STEM workforce.
Speakers at the STEM Summit include Dr Cathy Foley AO PSM FAA FTSE, Australia’s Chief Scientist and Professor Lachlan Blackhall FTSE, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research & Innovation), Australian National University, plus many other esteemed STEM professionals.
The STEM Summit culminates in the NYSF’s 40th Anniversary Gala Dinner in the Great Hall at Australian Parliament House on 19 August, featuring a stellar line up of guest speakers including:
- Her Excellency the Honourable Ms Sam Mostyn AC, The Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia
- The Hon Ed Husic MP, Minister for Industry and Science
- The Hon Paul Fletcher MP, Shadow Minister for Science and the Arts
- Professor Tanya Monro AC FAA FTSE FOSA FAIP GAICD, NYSF Science Patron and Australia’s Chief Defence Scientist
"The NYSF National Youth STEM Summit provides a defining moment in the professional development of our delegates. Coming early in their STEM journey, this is a unique chance to connect with their peers, the who’s who of science and technology nationally, and to explore numerous organisations and career opportunities around Australia. Uniquely, NYSF provides opportunities for youth to meet real STEM professionals across commercial industry, universities and government science organisations. The STEM Summit opens their eyes to opportunities most delegates don’t even know exist." said Dr Melanie Bagg, CEO of the NYSF.
"The impact of 40 years of the National Youth Science Forum on the STEM sector is enormous, and you’d be hard pressed to find a STEM organisation in Australia without NYSF alumni who have been through our flagship NYSF Year 12 Program. This National Science Week, we are celebrating our alumni, our partners and supporters, and our many volunteers at our Gala Dinner, including the extensive network of Rotary Clubs and educators who help us bring together diverse young people from all over Australia.”
To help the most diverse and often disadvantaged young people attend NYSF programs, the NYSF is running a 40th Anniversary Silent Auction with stunning art pieces donated by a range of NYSF community members, including STEM trailblazers. The Auction includes original pieces from Nobel Prize winner Professor Barry Marshall AC FRACP FRS FAA, Chief Scientist of Australia Dr Cathy Foley AO PSM FAA FTSE, ANU Vice Chancellor Distinguished Professor Genevieve Bell AO FTSE FAHA and many more! Funding from our auction goes directly to the NYSF Access and Equity Scholarship Fund to benefit young people.
View the auction here. We are more than happy to speak about the Auction and how it is supporting young people and would love to see it promoted.
The STEM Summit is sponsored by key STEM organisations:
- Australian Government: Department of Defence – Gold Sponsor
- ANSTO – Bronze Sponsor
- Pawsey Supercomputing Research Centre - Coffee Station Sponsor and Scholarship Sponsor
- Atlassian Corporation – Sponsor and Scholarship Sponsor
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) – Scholarship Sponsor
- CSL Limited – Scholarship Sponsor
- The ARC Centre of Excellence in Quantum Biotechnology (QUBIC) – Scholarship Sponsor
NYSF more broadly is supported by the Australian Government, our Major Partner, Lockheed Martin Australia, our host universities, The Australian National University (ANU) and The University of Queensland (UQ), and a range of other partners. Rotary is a Founding Partner of the National Youth Science Forum.
Media opportunities to interview delegates, speakers and representatives from STEM organisations are available at the STEM Summit between 12pm Saturday 17 August and 4:30pm Monday 19 August. The program will be most vibrant at our Career Expo at ANU on Monday 19 August between 11am and 1pm; however, other media interviews can be arranged on other days of the STEM Summit. Please contact us for speaker schedules if required. We can arrange interviews with our CEO, delegates, and speakers.
Media opportunities are also available at the 40th Anniversary Gala Dinner at the Australian Parliament House on Monday 19 August between 6:30pm and 10:00pm.