NYSF

The National Youth Science Forum (NYSF)

The National Youth Science Forum is an Australian program dedicated to exposing year 11 students who are heading into year 12 and are considering a career in science, engineering and related disciplines to major scientific institutions and researchers, so that they may make more informed choices for their future endeavours. They are also given training in time management, interview skills and public speaking.

The Forum is fully residential and takes place and the Australian National University in Canberra in January. All activities are fully supervised by student staff and resident Rotary counsellors. The program is extremely intensive with little time for outside activities except for meeting those people in the program.

The most important aspect coming from the NYSF is a network of friends, colleagues and support groups throughout Australia which will be of value to participants for the whole of their lives.

The program has grown from 198 students in 1984 to 400 in 2016. It now boasts of 10 000 alumni world wide. Rotary was a founding partner of the NYSF and remains the sole means of access for students who wish to attend the Forum.

The candidates must find a Rotary club willing to sponsor them then apply online. That Rotary club holds a preliminary interview to ascertain the suitability of the candidate, then forwards the application details to its district committee which interviews all the candidates and makes a final selection.

To cover the cost of transport, accommodation and entry fees etc, there is a charge for attending the NYSF. Rotary clubs are not responsible for these costs but may choose to assist as a gesture of goodwill and bonding with the student and parents.

Applications are open from 1st March to all year 11 students who are permanent residents of Australia and close on 31st May. For further information, contact www.nysf.edu.au. So… what are you waiting for?! Just do it!