There’s no need to encourage these girls into male-dominated industries. Three students from Roseville College are being praised for their remarkable achievement of being selected to participate in the National Youth Science Forum (NYSF). The intensive residential program targets and prepares talented young Australians for future employment in science and engineering, offering training, mentorship and unique informative experiences.
Year 12 students Tarryn Myburgh, Zoe King (School Captain) and Lauren Caush (Vice Captain) have flourished under the pressure of a lengthy and strenuous application process, from online submissions and face-to-face interviews to essays and speeches.
Tarryn says that while the selection process was intense, it helped her realise how much she wanted to be part of the program, which has been running for 30 years with founding partner, Rotary Australia.
“I was inspired to sign up by one of last year’s participants from Roseville College,” says Tarryn. “I’m interested in palaeontology and geology, and this program gives me the chance to really explore science beyond the HSC curriculum and it will help me think about my career and study options after school.”
Acting Head of Science at Roseville College, Ms Adele Crane, says it is unusual for three successful candidates to come from the same school, noting that they are not all sponsored by the same Rotary chapter (Zoe and Tarryn are sponsored by the Roseville chapter and Lauren is sponsored by the North Sydney chapter).
“The joy and excitement of the girls at news of their acceptance was delightful,” Ms Crane says. “The Forum now gives them opportunities to explore science and engineering beyond the school curriculum, and opens doors for future study, research and employment in these fields.”
The National Youth Science Forum exposes students moving into Year 12, who wish to follow careers in science, engineering and technology, to a variety of learning and training experiences to better prepare them for excellence in their future scientific endeavours. The program focuses on developing students’ confidence and their interpersonal communication skills as well as creating invaluable networks with like-minded peers and mentors.
The flagship event is the January Forum in Canberra at the Australian National University. For more information, please visit www.nysf.edu.au for more information.
Words: Alana Lopez