The Report from Oscar and Sam

The National Youth Science Forum was a great opportunity for the both of us. Across the three week course we got to listen and watch some insightful presentations, participate in some challenging and fun activities and meet some truly amazing people. Unlike other years of the program, this year was forced mostly online due to COVID19, however the organisers more than made up for this. There were two talks from Nobel laureates, one from Prof. Barry Marshall about his research into the causes of ulcers, and one by Prof. Brian Schmidt about his groundbreaking research into the universe’s accelerating rate of expansion, both of which were absolutely fascinating. Talks from everyone’s favorite science communicator, Dr. Karl and a live-cross from the CERN super-collider in Switzerland were also highlights. These online lectures and presentations really opened our eyes to the wide range of STEM careers, and the even wider number of pathways to obtain them. We heard Aussie rules footballer turned Rhodes Scholar Justin Clarke who probably best exemplified the fact that finding success in STEM doesn’t have to be done in such a linear way. 

 Despite COVID we were able to attend a 2 day in-person session at the University of Newcastle, which was fantastic. Meeting researchers first hand and being able to see what they do in the labs was not only interesting but demystifying. We also got to see what the University had to offer in terms of extracurricular science activities, as well as just having a bit of fun with puzzles and challenges. 

 However keeping with the spirit of NYSF, at both the in person visits in Newcastle and the online zoom sessions, the highlight of the forum was the people that we met. From the brilliant Staffies who ran the program to the fellow participants of the program, It was amazing to meet like minded people in all corners of Australia. Friends for life are made during the program and if not for anything else, we would recommend the program to anyone and everyone for the people you meet! 

 All together the program was an amazing experience that opened our eyes to the possibilities that are out there in the world of stem. A big take away being that you dont ever have to be the smartest person to succeed as many of the professors that talked to us were never the top of their class at school. Students looking at the program should definitely consider it no matter their ability as it is a great experience. We would like to thank the Rotary Club for supporting us throughout the process and especially Julie Clendinning for getting us ready for it.

 Oscar and Sam

Barry Marshall talks about how had to drink the bacteria he believed caused ulcers, which led him to get the Nobel Prize

Doctor Karl answers some of our pressing science questions

Justin Clarke talked about what he’s going to study at Oxford, having retired from the AFL

MACH 5 flight (~1700m/s at sea level)

Important for

• Planetary entry
• Air-breathing propulsion for hypersonic cruise vehicles
• Air-breathing propulsion for space launch

Non-ideal gas effects

• Energy transferred into vibrational energy + dissociation and ionization of molecules
• P = pRT no longer holds for constant R

Challenging to model the complex compressible flow phenomena

Our group photo from the end of our time at the University of Newcastle. It was a great bunch of people.