The Australian Government's Innovation Report

National Youth Science Forum
The National Youth Science Forum (NYSF) brings
together government, industry and education partners
to inspire and guide Year 12 students towards careers in
science, engineering and related disciplines.
Each year, nearly 300 students from around Australia
are selected to attend the forum on the basis of their
demonstrated aptitude in the sciences, coupled with strong
extra-curricular interests such as sport, drama or music.
At the Molonglo Radio Telescope
The heart of NYSF is a two-week residential programme
in Canberra in January. It is a mix of hands-on scientific
activities, debates, guest lectures and personal
development workshops, all designed to stimulate and
broaden students’ understanding of what it means to
work in science. Students visit a wide range of
institutions including the Australian National University
and its research schools, CSIRO laboratories, Tidbinbilla
Deep Space Network and the Australian Defence Force
Academy.
The forum does not end in January. Later in the year,
presentations are given by a number of universities in
most capital cities. From these sessions students
develop the confidence to live and study elsewhere, as
well as gaining a practical sense of what each university
has to offer.
A small number of NYSF students are also offered a
place at youth science programmes in Canada, South
Africa, England, Russia and Sweden, and are invited to
return as staff in the following year’s January forum
following leadership training.
Building cars at the Faculty of Engineering, Australian National University
For many students, attending NYSF not only broadens
their horizons, but also develops skills to compete
effectively for scholarships and university placement.
NYSF graduates go on to take up influential positions in
government, business, education and industry, and can
be found all over the world.
In 2003, the Australian Government (through its
Quality Outcomes Programme of the Department of
Education, Science and Training’s Quality Schooling
Branch) committed $40 000 a year over three years to
support the forum.
More information about the NYSF can be found
at: www.nysf.edu.au
The Smart Olympiads
Physics, biology and chemistry
NYSF students in the laboratory of Dr Mark Hullett, John Curtin School
of Medical Research. Photo credits: NYSF
In 2005, thousands of Australian students competed in
the national qualifying examinations for the Australian
Science Olympiads (ASO). The 70 highest achieving
students were then invited to become ASO Scholars:
participants in a unique, intensive residential training
84 Backing Australia’s Ability