Updates on the NYSF 2021 Year 12 Program
Thursday 10 September, 2020
Dear Students and Families,
Thank you for applying to attend the 2021 NYSF Year 12 Program, one of Australia’s most recognised and long-running STEM outreach experiences.
The impact of attending the NYSF lives on well past January, with participants joining our extensive alumni network of over 12,000 individuals and accessing a lifetime of STEM professional development and peer networking events. Today we write with an important update.
No doubt your selection interview is approaching; indeed, some of you may have already had yours. The NYSF is wholly committed to delivering our Year 12 Program in 2021, and as previously advised, we have been monitoring the COVID-19 situation carefully. The safety of our participants, volunteers, and staff is always our top priority, and we have given considerable thought as to how to deliver the NYSF Year 12 Program safely in 2021. The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way we live, study, and work, and hence NYSF has adapted our plans to ensure we can still deliver an exciting live program that enables all of you to explore your future study and career options in STEM.
We have adapted the way we deliver the 2021 NYSF Year 12 Program in January to navigate COVID-19-related challenges. While the mode of delivery is changing, the content and opportunities the NYSF program offers remain as strong as ever. In addition, there will be a range of exclusive new opportunities that were not previously possible.
The 2021 NYSF Year 12 Program offers a combination of local in-person and digital experiences to our participants across Australia. With the help of our supportive partner organisations and providers from all areas of STEM, the NYSF is programming an extensive range of local and virtual events to set you on your future STEM pathway.
The 2021 Year 12 Program will feature a core digital program, consisting of all the STEM elements the NYSF is famous for, including keynote speakers, lectures, workshops, debates, expos, and social activities. COVID-19 restriction permitting, we will complement this digital program with local in-person STEM visits and events held at hubs across the country, enabling students to safely engage with their peers and experience the networking and community aspects of the program. Throughout the rest of 2021, participants will be able to access a wide variety of NYSF Connect Alumni events for further professional development and networking.
Over the coming months, we will send successful applicants exciting updates on NYSF 2021 speakers, behind the scenes tours, and STEM experiences! Today we are excited to give you a taste of some of the fantastic keynote speakers joining us in January.
· Nobel Prize Winner and Astrophysicist, Prof Brian Schmidt FRS FAA;
· Australia’s Chief Defence Scientist, Prof Tanya Monro FAA FTSE FOSA FAIP GAICD;
· Nobel Prize Winner and Gastroenterologist, Prof Barry Marshall AC FRACP FRS FAA;
· Journalist and Gender Equity Advocate, Virginia Haussegger AM;
· Australian Research Council (ARC) Laureate Prof Veena Sahajwalla FAA FTSE;
· Personalised Medicine Expert, Prof Carola Garcia de Vinuesa MD (MBBS) PhD FAA;
· ABC Identity and Science Communicator, Dr Karl Kruszelnicki AM;
· Women in STEM Ambassador and Astrophysicist, Prof Lisa Harvey-Smith; and
· Broadcaster and ABC Science Show host, Robyn Williams AO
There is more good news too. We have reduced our 2021 NYSF Year 12 Program Fee from $3,250 to $1,900. This reduction reflects the removal of travel, accommodation, and meal costs. The new fee covers 14 days of STEM related activities, all digital programming, in-person STEM visits and social events (or a digital alternative for those unable to attend in-person events), access to representatives from NYSF’s extensive range of university and industry partners, a program kit and merchandise, and lifelong access to the NYSF Connect alumni network and events program.
We understand COVID-19 has impacted many families financially. The NYSF, along with our partners, continues to offer a significant number of equity scholarships in 2021. Please do not hesitate to apply confidentially if your family is in need.
As you can imagine, there is a reasonable amount of adaption required for this new model of delivery. We encourage applicants to proceed through the usual selection process. NYSF will provide further detailed information, a FAQ sheet and regular program updates to NYSF participants once your selection is confirmed.
All the best for your selection interviews and we hope to see you at the 2021 NYSF Year 12 Program in January!
Best wishes,
The NYSF Team
