"There’s a lot of talent in the country, and I want to prove that STEM doesn’t just belong in cities."
Meet Will, a Year 12 student from Wingham, NSW with big dreams and a passion for how things work.
After attending the National Youth Science Forum (NYSF) Year 12 Program in January 2025, Will has his sights firmly set on studying civil engineering – and he’s more motivated than ever to make it happen.
“I went to NYSF in January, and it was one of the most eye opening and motivating experiences of my life. I’ve always been interested in how things work, especially in the physical world, so STEM’s always felt like a natural fit. I love Physics, which I do through Distance Ed, and I want to be the first in my family to go to uni and study civil engineering at the University of Newcastle.”
For Will, NYSF wasn’t just something to do over the summer; it was an eye-opener.
“NYSF really made everything feel more real. It opened up a whole new world of possibilities I hadn’t even thought about before, from aerospace to data science to nuclear research, and it made me realise that I can get there too, even from a small school.
Since coming back I’ve taken my studies more seriously, because now I’ve got something to aim for. It’s also helped with motivation being around other students who are just as keen on science and engineering made me want to push myself more.”
Will participating in a discussion on space ethics at NYSF
One standout moment for Will was hearing from a physicist working at CERN.
“I was just blown away. The way they explained their work and answered our questions – it really stuck with me. You could tell how passionate they were, and it made me think that I want to do something that gets me that excited too.”
Applying to NYSF felt a little intimidating at first.
“It’s easy to think, ‘I’m just some kid from a small school in the country’, but once I got in and got there, I realised I belonged. I brought my own perspective and background to the table.
Rotary helped me heaps. Without their support I probably couldn’t have gone, and my school and family backed me the whole way. It made me feel proud of where I come from.”
What surprised Will the most was how broad STEM actually is.
“I went in thinking engineering meant one or two jobs, and science meant lab work. But I came out with my mind buzzing so many fields, so many types of jobs, so many passionate people making real change. Also, the mates I made. I didn’t expect to meet people I’d stay in touch with months later.”
After the program, Will's advice to students considering applying is to give it a go no matter your circumstances.
“Go for it. Don’t let being from a rural town or small school hold you back. If you’re passionate about STEM, this is the place to be. It’s not just about science visits, it’s about finding a community, building confidence, and figuring out what your future could look like. Honestly, it changed how I see things.”
In the future, Will hopes to use his skills to give back to communities like his own.
“I’d really like to thank Rotary for making this possible, and all my teachers for supporting me especially with Physics through Distance Ed. Long term, I want to use what I’ve learnt to help solve problems in regional areas like infrastructure, water management, and sustainability. There’s a lot of talent in the country, and I want to prove that STEM doesn’t just belong in cities.”
“One day I want to come back and work for council, helping build stuff that makes life better in places like Wingham.”
Thank you to Will for sharing his story. Does Will's story resonate with you or someone you know? Apply now for the NYSF Year 12 Program!
