Congratulations on being selected to participate in the 2022 National Youth Science Forum, Year 12 Program.

The pandemic has presented many challenges, but it is great to see that this valuable program has continued to operate through it.

Your selection for this program shows that your potential as future scientists has already been recognised. 

Because we know that many of our leaders solving today’s COVID problems used to be school students, just like you.

Your interest in science today could quite well see you helping to unlock the global solutions of tomorrow.

You have the ability to help to create a brighter, more productive and more prosperous future for all of us.

Over the next 12 days you will have the opportunity to learn new skills and hear about study and career options that fully utilise the opportunities presented by science, technology, engineering and mathematics. 

You will get to visit facilities and labs and hear from inspiring leaders speakers such as Nobel Prize Winners Professor Brian Schmidt and Professor Peter Doherty. 

You will also get to mix with your peers, chat about the subjects and areas of interest to you, and most importantly – have fun!

Your time in this program will open up new perspectives and perhaps point you in directions you had not considered before.

And you are part of a tradition going back 38 years, forming a link to what has gone before and what is yet to come. 

More than 12,000 students have gone before you, and I am sure many more will also be part of this program in the future.

Studying STEM helps develop your core technical skills while building confidence, teamwork and the ability to make decisions and solve problems. 
 
And this can lead you to careers that are essential to the technological and economic future of our nation.

STEM skills are important across all industries, including manufacturing, agriculture, energy, IT, robotics and health.

Things are moving so rapidly that there will be jobs in areas we haven’t even imagined yet, but we know that skills you get from studying STEM will continue to be highly valued.

This program, led by youth for youth, gives you a flying start to your studies in the final year of school.

That final year is an exciting time. 

It is a time when the world seems ready to open out before you.

I wish you all the best over the next 12 days and into the future.

Good luck and thank you.