"I would like to thank our participants. We sincerely hope that you have gained value and insight from your attendance that will guide you in making informed decisions for your future. I’d personally like to thank you for your enthusiasm and energy, which inspires me every year in return. "
Just like with that, another January at the National Youth Science Forum is done. This year at our Brisbane and Canberra locations nearly 600 young people participated in three sessions of the NYSF Year 12 program; we had 60 science teachers from across the country take part in the two NYSF National Science Teachers Summer School (NSTSS) Programs, and our communications intern program ran successfully once again.
With January now behind us, there are many thank yous in order to those who contributed to the successful delivery of the NYSF programs. I would like to officially recognise the contributions of all who supported program delivery this January.
First and foremost, I would like to thank our participants. We sincerely hope that you have gained value and insight from your attendance that will guide you in making informed decisions for your future. I’d personally like to thank you for your enthusiasm and energy, which inspires me every year in return.
A big thank you to the NYSF Corporate team and the Board for their hard work and commitment over this time. It takes countless hours and dedication to put this program together and for the hard work and support of my team, I am very grateful.
I’d like to thank our student Staff team, led this year by our three highly capable Chiefs of Staff Blake Cutler, Brioude Synott and Max Dewez. The 69 strong student staff team did an excellent job looking after our participants and supporting the delivery of the programs. I must also thank our fabulous Rotary volunteers, many of whom were returning for the second time, for the great care you provided to the students. And to our Comms interns, Tess, Tait and Aaron for working hard to spread the word about what happens here in January.
Blake, Bri and Max - NYSF 2019 Chiefs of Staff
Thanks are due again to The Australian National University and Burgmann College for hosting us in Canberra, and The University of Queensland and Emmanuel College for hosting the Brisbane session. Thank you to all who opened the doors of their labs and work sites to our participants, volunteering not just their time but also passion, and to all the scientists, researchers, entrepreneurs and NYSF alumni who addressed the students, delivering inspiring lectures, workshops and talks. In particular I note our three keynote speakers who inspired participants and guests at our Science Dinners - Dr Megan Clarke AC, FTSE, Head of the Australian Space Agency, Professor Kerrie Wilson, Executive Director at the Institute for Future Environments, Queensland University of Technology and Dr Alan Finkel AO, Australia’s Chief Scientist.
Finally, our programs could not exist without the financial and logistical support of our Corporate and University Partners. Due to the funding provided through the National Innovation Science Agenda (NISA), the additional 200 places in Brisbane were available once again in 2019, along with the second NSTSS. And to all of our partners and their representatives for their contributions as well as their attendance and involvement in each of the NYSF Partners’ Day events - your personal involvement provides authenticity and is paramount to the success of those days.
You can read more about January’s events in the news section of our website, and in the selected articles in this newsletter.
I would also like take this opportunity to thank Amanda Caldwell for more than five years of dedicated service to the organisation. Amanda is moving on from the NYSF this week, she will be missed, and I wish her all the best in her new role, continuing her work within the science communications space.
And because the NYSF never truly sleeps, finally I would like to encourage everyone who values STEM in our society to spread the word about the NYSF Year 12 Program, encouraging current Year 11 students to apply for NYSF 2020 Year 12 Program, applications opening 1 March!
Dr Damien Pearce
CEO
