News release

From: National Youth Science Forum

Australia’s future STEM leaders arrive in Brisbane for National Youth Science Forum

More than 300 young people from across Australia will arrive in Brisbane this week for the National Youth Science Forum (NYSF) Year 12 Program, running from January 14-21.

Living on campus and immersed in nine days of hands-on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), Program participants will explore cutting-edge research, meet leading scientists and innovators, and discover the breadth of real-world STEM career pathways.

Brisbane’s world-class research ecosystem provides a powerful setting for the program, with participants attending exclusive visits across bioengineering, space, nanotechnology, digital innovation and life sciences.

During the Brisbane session, Program participants will:

• Visit the Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN) at The University of Queensland, exploring nanoscale science and technologies driving breakthroughs in health, sustainability and energy, from bio-inspired materials and medical sensors to next-generation batteries.
• Engage with researchers from the ARC Centre for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science (CIPPS) at UQ’s Institute for Molecular Bioscience, discovering how peptides and proteins sourced from Australia’s unique flora and fauna are being developed to address challenges in health, agriculture and industry.
• Step inside CSIRO’s Mobile Mission Operations Centre at the Varley Specialist Vehicles facility, gaining a behind-the-scenes look at how engineers support space missions and design specialist vehicles for emergency response, including ambulances and fire engines.
• Explore immersive digital technologies at NUAXION Pty Ltd, where participants will experience cutting-edge extended reality (XR), artificial intelligence and wearable technologies used across sport, music, education and live events.
• Take part in a dedicated Careers Day on January 15, connecting directly with STEM professionals working across research, industry and emerging technologies.

The NYSF Year 12 Program is designed to broaden access to STEM opportunities and support young people who are traditionally underrepresented in science and technology pathways. Across the full 2026 program, 46 per cent of participants come from regional and remote areas, 61 per cent are young women, and 3 per cent identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander. By removing financial, geographic and social barriers, NYSF helps ensure that curiosity and passion for STEM, not postcode or background, determine who gets access to life-changing opportunities.

Dr Melanie Bagg, Chief Executive Officer of the National Youth Science Forum, said the program plays a vital role in building Australia’s future STEM workforce.

“The NYSF Year 12 Program is a life-changing experience for students, opening doors to STEM opportunities and empowering young people from all over Australia to pursue careers that will shape our future,” Dr Bagg said.

“It gives them the opportunity to see what science and technology look like beyond the classroom and explore where a STEM career can take them.”

Thanks to the support of the NYSF Funding partners, Rotary in Australia and private donors, scholarships are available to help remove financial barriers and ensure equitable access to the program.