Six Year 11 students from BSSC will attend the prestigious National Youth Science Forum (NYSF) during their summer break next January. BSSC’s successful applicants are: Felix Barton, Eve Gray, Caitlin Jackson, Zac Llewellin, Hayden Parrott and Liloma Qorbani.

NYSF brings together the cream of the scientific community with the most enthusiastic future Australian scientists in programs held at Canberra’s ANU and Brisbane’s UQ.

“As soon as I heard about it, I had to apply,” Hayden said. “I am planning to study biomedical science and become a biomedical engineer, so this is a perfect opportunity for me.”

Liloma is planning to study a Bachelor of Aviation and become a pilot.

“My favourite subject is Maths and I heard about NYSF through my Advisor,” she said. “For me it’s an opportunity to see inside the different science fields. I’m not sure yet what I want to do long-term.”

Felix feels similarly. “I have lots of interests but particle physics and chemistry are favourites,” he said.

Students are in residence for 12 days and take part in workshops, visit laboratories, listen to lectures, participate in group activities and enjoy some great social activities.

“It’s a chance to find out about careers I haven’t even considered,” Zac said.

Sponsored by the combined Rotary Clubs of Bendigo, the selection process takes around six months and involves applications and a number of interviews.

Accompanied by Rotary members Robert Edgar, Brian Gould and Adrian Schoo, Rotary Youth Director Lynne Cooper explained the strong link between science and Rotary.

“Most of our projects depend on science—from research, to disaster aid, to medical interventions,” she said. “It’s a natural fit for us to be encouraging and supporting these gifted students to see themselves as future leaders.”

On Sunday 9 September the six successful applicants attended an orientation at Melbourne’s Swinburne Uni.

“At the orientation session we learned about the kinds of things we would be doing,” Eve said. “Participants from earlier years talked to us about what we could expect, and we met up with 34 other successful students from all over Melbourne.”

Congratulations to our students, and thank-you Rotary for making this opportunity easier to reach.