UNI Qld to host 12-day National Science Forum

Nearly 200 year 12 students will take part in the 12-day National Youth Science Forum in January when The University of Queensland hosts the program for the first time.

The NYSF Year 12 Program is a 12-day residential program designed to give students a broader understanding of the diverse study and career options available in STEM and to encourage them to continue their studies in these fields.

National Youth Science Forum chief executive Dr Damien Pearce said the program was an action-packed immersion in science, technology, engineering and mathematics activities to provide year 12 students with a taster for university studies and future careers.

“We are very excited to bring our flagship program to Brisbane where the opportunities for engagement with the local scientific and business community are significant,” Dr Pearce said.

“Who wouldn’t grab the chance to visit UQ’s Moreton Bay Research Station on North Stradbroke Island or the Centre for Hypersonics – both very different kinds of scientific endeavour?” 

UQ Provost Prof Aidan Byrne said he was delighted that UQ was the first Queensland university to host the flagship program.

“UQ has supported the National Youth Science Forum for more than 25 years and now we have the honour of hosting this fabulous program at our beautiful St Lucia campus,” Professor Byrne said.

“We can provide students an engaging experience of real science. They will live-in at a college and participate in lectures, lab and field activities.”

In addition to a full range of science, technology, engineering and maths experiences at UQ’s St Lucia campus, students will visit industrial and commercial sites and participate in debates where they will develop interpersonal and communication skills.

The National Youth Science Forum has been delivering programs for year 12 students since 1984, and in 2018 – its 35th year – will have hosted more than 12,000 young people.

As well as the 200-student Brisbane program, the 2018 year 12 program will continue to be delivered over two sessions at Australian National University, which has been the National Youth Science Forum’s host university for more than 10 years.

Applications for the 2018 program are closed.