National Youth Science Forum 2018
Applications for NYSF 2018 opened on 1 March 2017. The official closing date is 31 May. The applying students are asked to nominate a sponsor club. Hopefully students will go direct to their preferred club, but it is very likely that in May and June, I will be asking clubs to sponsor an orphan applicant. If I approach you to sponsor a student, it will because that student lives in the geographic region your club covers or at least attends a school in that region. If I am aware that the student has a previous connection with a particular club, for example through RYPEN or Interact, I will always direct them to that club.
To be eligible to attend NYSF 2018, the student must be studying Year 11 in 2017.
As a club, you are asked to consider the merits of the students who have asked for your sponsorship and if you believe that they have the ability to attend NYSF, you should agree to sponsor them. Your club process for considering students can be a formal interview or a chat with an experienced Rotarian. Your club should consider:
1. Is the student able to demonstrate a genuine interest in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM)?
2. Is the student open to new ideas?
3. Will the student benefit from attending the NYSF? Are they already on the STEM path? Would another student benefit more?
4. Will the student contribute and give back to the NYSF, and the wider community?
Sponsorship means that the student can take part in the District selection process. The District selection process will consist of an interview, a group exercise and a group discussion on a STEM topic When the District selection process is completed, I will make offers to the students who are seen as most capable taking into account the relative merits of students sponsored by all clubs. I will be assisted by a selection team and volunteers will be sought in June and July.
Clubs are required to endorse or choose to not endorse the students who have applied and nominate them to me as District Chair by 30 June 2017. At the time of doing so, the Club should be open as to how much financial assistance they will be able to give a student. Rule of thumb is about 50% which is $1500 to $1600. However if a very talented student comes from a financially tough situation you might go higher. I have been told that there will be financial assistance available this year from NYSF. How that will work will be explained to District Chairs later this month. I will be at District Assembly this year and will be willing to discuss this with Clubs who have identified students who have limited financial support from their families what help can be given through NYSF funds.
All students who have been sponsored by a club in our District will be invited to the District selection. The timing and place of the District selection will be advised later but will almost certainly be in Canberra or Queanbeyan and take place in early to mid August.
NYSF should have mailed out information to all clubs and schools. I have attached the flyer that explains things to students. Share this with any student you or teacher you think might be interested.
Applications must be lodged using the NYSF online process. The students should be advised to go to www.nysf.edu.au and then click on the tag that says "Apply". .
In January 2018, there will be 3 NYSF sessions compared with the 2 sessions in January 2017. They will be:
- 2nd to 13th January - in Canberra and I have 10 places
- 9th to 20th January - in Brisbane and I have 5 places
- 16th to 27th January - in Canberra and I have 7 places
I therefore have 22 places compared with 17 places in NYSF 2017. Students who in previous years might have been borderline and missed out will this time have a better chance of being selected.
NYSF is a leading STEM program and has helped talented young people make more informed decisions about their future careers in the STEM field. I ask all Clubs to support this program.
Tony Trumble
Rotary District 9710 National Youth Science Chairperson
Rotary Club of Belconnen Treasurer
0411 394525