This International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we are proud to share a student perspective on what it means to pursue STEM with curiosity and confidence. During January, Year 12 student Thea S attended the National Youth Science Forum (NYSF), a nine-day program that brings together young Australians to explore future pathways in science and technology. In the reflection below, Thea shares the experiences that challenged and inspired her, from stepping into unfamiliar fields of science to hearing from professionals whose careers have taken unexpected turns, and building friendships with like-minded students from across the country.

Thea S, National Youth Science Forum Reflection

During January, I attended the National Youth Science Forum and it the most exciting and enjoyable experiences I have ever had, and one I will never forget. 

National Youth Science Forum, also known as NYSF, is a program designed for young Australians going into Year 12. It aims to inspire students to engage in future science and technology by creating opportunities to connect young Australians with diverse science and technology pathways. From my experience, NYSF truly lives up to their vision and purpose, creating an eye-opening and mind-blowing program which expanded my understanding of science and future technology possibilities. 

The NYSF program lasted 9 days, with 4 sessions each day varying from lectures to university visits, providing a wide range of opportunities for students. Here I’d like to share some of the key lessons that I took away from the trip. 

Expanding your choices

NYSF provides students with sessions and experiences regarding your interests, while also introducing different aspects of science. Personally, my main interests are chemistry and biology, giving me the opportunity to attend the School of Chemistry and visit a biology lab. However, I was also allocated to sessions in ecology, astrology, and technology. This allowed me to step out of my comfort zone and engage with new, unfamiliar, areas of science that I may never get to interact with in a school setting. If you’re unsure what science area to pursue in the future, NYSF is definitely an incredible journey to go on to. 

Career pathways

During NYSF, I had the privilege of listening to many professionals share their career journeys. From NASA experts to people working with nuclear fusion, having experts from a rich variety of fields really showcases what science has to offer for your future. Other lessons that I took away from those lectures is that life and careers are almost never linear. For example, we learned that one speaker had dedicated her life to research, getting a PhD, only to realise that research was not actually what she wanted to do, and switched to science communication. Listening to people’s life stories, where they make difficult, life-changing decisions and overcome challenges, leading them to where they are now, is really inspiring. They remind me to always be flexible and keep an open mind, without restricting myself to a single path. 

University options

NYSF is partnered with a wide range of universities, including Monash, ANU, University of New South Wales, ADF careers, Swinburne University and more. NYSF included a Career Day, where we listened to multiple universities introduce their culture and the various subjects they have to offer. This experience makes studying interstate seem not so far away. 

Friends

NYSF was an incredible opportunity to meet new friends, as you are thrown into a group of hundreds of students who are of similar age and share the same interests. During breakfast, free time, a talent show, and even a disco party, we were able to socialise with like-minded students from all over Australia. I met so many amazing people and created friendships that I’m sure will last a lifetime.

Overall, NYSF provides a fantastic opportunity for you to step out of your comfort zone, explore science, and form meaningful relationships. I encourage any Year 11s who love science to take on this wonderful opportunity.