Sam McCurdy provided a summary of the NYSF Orientation Day that was held at the Churchill Campus of Federation University on Sunday 14 October.
Even though it was mainly conducted for the 18 District 9820 students and their families, who have been selected to attend the NYSF program in January, Sam also gained a lot from the Orientation Day and thought he should share the information with Club members.
The program has been conducted for 35 years and been very successful in helping students clarify their career goals in science and establish professional networks.
600 students will take part in the 2019 NYSF program from all over Australia, including a few international students from Singapore, Germany and New Zealand. They will be divided into 3 groups of 200. Two of the groups will experience their program in Canberra and the third at the University of Queensland in Brisbane.
Our club's sponsored student, Upani Mapala-Gamage will be in the Brisbane program from 9-20 January. Each student will have their own room at the University's accommodation colleges.
Within each group, students will be assigned to their specific 'Interest Groups' and experience keynote lectures, skills workshops, formal dinners, debates and social events. They will get to meet leaders in their field and be able to establish long-term social and professional networks.
Sam reported that he was very impressed with the level of organisation of the program. Students have a Student Handbook that provides them with all the information they will need, such as:
- what to pack
- what to wear
- required footwear
- importance of sunscreen
Sam left the NYSF Orientation convinced that this is a program that the Club should continue to support, as it prepares the participants with life-changing experiences and facilitates informed career choices in science.
We look forward to hearing Upani's presentation to the Club on her experiences at the NYSF Brisbane program, sometime early next year.
