Year 12 student Fraser Hemphill was one of 8 Australian science students this year to be awarded the chance to attend a global student conference - the London International Youth Science Forum (LIYSF).
He shares his first-hand experience witnessing some “amazing science, amazing people and amazing technology”.
I still remember that moment over 6 months ago as I stood at the microphone of the Questacon conference room in Canberra shaking with nerves.
The National Youth Science Forum had organised a conference with CERN (European Organisation for Nuclear Research), the largest physics laboratory in the world, to graciously allow students to ask questions at the forum.
I was the first to step-up to the microphone. I asked one of their resident scientists from CERN Rolf Landua about the typical day of a physicist.
Little did I know that half-a-year later I would be standing in the exact spot where the conference would be held in Switzerland.
It all started when I applied for the international program through NYSF.
Operation: LIYSF
I waited anxiously for months until one night an email informed me that I would be attending the LIYSF, which brings 300 students together from around the world to participate in a series of lectures on the latest developments in science.
My initial reaction was shock when i read the email, which soon turned to excitement then doubt when I started working out the job ahead raising money for the trip and organising my school leave.
But after spending time talking with my parents and school principal, I decided the benefits and once-in-a lifetime chance to attend this international forum was too good to pass-up.
The following 4 months saw the major hurdles of raising funds and missing exams overcome with the help I received from Sandra from NYSF, Meredith Graham from Rotary, my mentor, my local community, my local members, local rotary clubs and school.
I am also particularly grateful for the sponsorship I received, not only from local companies, but especially funded scholarships from the NSW Office of Science and Medical Research (OSMR) and the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) - whose generous contributions made my fundraising target possible.
The real adventure began in late July, when I boarded a 23-hour flight with seven other Aussie students (Shannon, Oly, Bec, Innes, Anneke, Laura and Megha) heading for London, and on to our three week adventure.
We arrived at Heathrow airport where we were met by Geoff Burchfield from NYSF. He wasted no time in demonstrating his passion for London leading us on a tour of the city.
A few days, sore feet and a UMAT test later the LIYSF officially began, where we met over 300 students from 47 countries. That alone was amazing for me to get the chance to meet people from around the world.
Getting down to the science
Being a science forum, there were definitely some hard-hitting and impressive science lectures and demonstrations covering all aspects of the scientific spectrum.
The keynote speeches were delivered by world class scientists, including Professor John Shepherd and Professor Julia Buckingham, both revolving around this year’s central theme; “The Science of the Seas”.
Other lectures presented had varied topics including molecules and murder, pathology, astrophysics, mathematical science, biology and subatomic physics; as well as the plethora of specialist lectures allowing participants to choose a presentation more suited to their chosen science field.
Plenary sessions and a student debate on issues such as a sustainable future and the changing oceans allowed us to exchange our opinions while still being guided by leading science experts.
Physics is my forte so it was mesmerizing to attend a lecture given by Professor John Ellis who is a theoretical physicist with decades of experience at CERN. Among the many inspiring things he discussed was an explanation of the Higgs-Boson particle and why physicists are searching for it.
Inspirational peers
Apart from the science forums, there were many opportunities for the students to socialise and have fun. When we weren’t tubing around London to the various landmarks we saw Wicked at the Apollo Theatre (which was amazing), “All’s Well That Ends Well” at the Globe Theatre, and relaxed on Queen’s Lawn at Imperial College.
The forum allowed students to bond, making strong and long-lasting friendships with people from countless nations, religions and cultures.
This created an amazing network of contacts around the globe. Meeting likeminded students of the sciences, of the same age, that have achieved magnificent feats was definitely a high point of the forum.
Many participants have completed research projects or speculative reviews on current and pressing topics and are attending top-ranked universities (Oxford, Cambridge and MIT just to name a few). One example was Steven Gillen of Virginia, USA.
While completing Grade 11, he undertook an engineering project that required several months of research and prototyping. His end product was a new form of body armour which gained 2ndplace in mechanical engineering at the ISEF (Intel Science and Engineering Fair).
Spending a few (very) late nights discussing his inspiration and motivation for such a task was stimulating, to say the least.
Visiting CERN
The laboratory visits, which we embarked upon were also awe-inspiring. In particular there was the trips to Cavendish Laboratory at Cambridge University, the Chemical Engineering department at London Imperial College and the Mullard Space Sciences Laboratory.
Without a doubt, the highlight of the trip for me was definitely the optional CERN Discovery Program – a 5-day extension of the forum.
I joined 20 other students to travel around France and Switzerland for a week of fine dining, beautiful attractions and extraordinary sub-atomic physics.
In between visiting the Eiffel Tower, The Louvre, Notre Dame, Lake Geneva and a tour of the UN, we managed to undertake a personal tour of the CERN facilities and receive talks by resident physicists.
It was phenomenal to see cutting edge technologies ATLAS and CMS detectors and the magnet testing facility to name a few.
After spending a few hours basking in the sunny courtyard of the cafe with a few residents of CERN, I have learnt of the passion and determination of the employers, and they still manage to maintain a great sense of the humor!
So as you can see the LIYSF has been a whirlwind of amazing science, amazing people and amazing technology.
I have come away from London with a fresh zeal for science, a new perspective on the world and myself, and a global network of friendships that will last a lifetime.
If you are considering applying for the LIYSF or any international program and you are anxious about the cost or the work you may miss – don’t hesitate!
I was in the same boat, but with some hard work, determination and a huge amount of help from my parents, my school and my wonderful sponsors I was able to pull through.
Plan, communicate and persevere, and you too can attend LISYF!
All images courtesy of Fraser Hemphill.
About the National Youth Science Forum
Each year the National Science Summer School Inc. selects students of the NYSF to participate in its International Program. This program gives those attending the opportunity to further develop their skills, to participate in other science programs and to make new global friendships.
Successful students represent Australia at one of a diverse range of programs, including the Canada Wide Science Fair, London International Youth Science Forum, The Research Science Institute held in Boston at MIT and the Stockholm International Youth Science Seminar incorporating the Nobel Ball.