2001 School Magazine

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The National Youth Science Forum 2001

In January this year, Iwas one of 288 students from all around Australia who were selected to attend the National Youth Science Forum in Canberra. it was a unique and exciting opportunity to explore career opportunities in Science

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fights and let off fireworks The prospect of meeting over one hundred different people in one week seemed a little daunting at first, but I now feel that I have friends from around Australia and the world Without the help of many people, my trip to Canberra would not have been as successful and enjoyable. I would like to thank Mrs Hancock as well as my Science teachers for supporting my application. Thank you to the Rotary Club of Brisbane Mid-City for selecting me to represent them and for their generous financial assistance Ultimate thanks must go to Professor Rodneylory, who 15 the inspiration al force behind the best experience for Science students in Australia

the Department of Physics at ANU Before attending the forum, I had little idea what being a scientist really entailed. but the scientists who showed us around at each place were happy to share their experiences The visits were also wonderful opportunities in themselves - unique people, unique places, unique ideas During the second week we too part in the personal development program. I was able to build on my skills in areas including negotiation. teamwork and public speaking However, the most beneficial aspect of this program was the writing of a mockjob application and attending an interview for the chosen job. The interviewers gave very helpful and constructive advice about interviewing techniques. The skills I gained in this part of the program are invaluable and will surely equip me for my future at university and beyond Apart from the serious side of the forum, it was also a great opportunity to make friends and have heaps of fun. Although the program was packed full of science and personal development sessions, we still went swimming, ice-skating. had water

Early last year, the Science Department encouraged some

students to apply for the forum. I filled in the forms and wrote the letter of application, hopeful that I would be successful. After my Rotary Club selected me as their Club's representative, I then went on to be interviewed by the rotary district. I wasasked questionsabout my academic and extra-curricular achievements as well as some strange questions including "How does a garden tap work?"and"What are the differences between ball point and felt tip pens?11 was partially amused, partially scared by these weird questions. Then on a Friday afternoon a huge package came in the post. I had been accepted for the National Youth Science Forum 2001! As I had Indicated Engineering as my field of interest, I was placed in the Engineering group, Newion. We visited university, industry and government departments to experience first-hand what a career in Science is all about. We visited places as varied as the Snowy Mountains Engineering Corporation, the Australian Centre fo, Remote Sensing, the Mount Stromlo Observatory and

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