According to Jaslin O’Connell, she “lives and breathes science”.
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The 17-year-old and year 12 student at St Clare’s College got the chance to take that to next level, being invited to attend the National Youth Science Forum last month.
She was one of 196 students from around the country selected to participate in the forum, which ran for two weeks at the Australian National University.
Jaslin said the forum was an opportunity to connect with not only like-minded peers, but also get the chance to learn from some of Australia's leading scientists.
"We had a mixture of lab visits and field trips but also some lectures as well,” she said.
“There was also lots of networking opportunities as well and we got to meet a lot of prestigious scientists like [Nobel Prize winner and ANU vice-chancellor] Brian Schmidt.”
In order to be selected for the forum, Jaslin had to undergo a rigorous application process.
After submitting her original application, more than 40 people from the Canberra area were then selected for an interview, of that, only 16 made it to the forum from the ACT.
Jaslin said she never expected to be selected for the forum, and upon finding out she had, she was ecstatic.
“I thought I had completely ruined my chances in the interview and thought I wouldn't be good enough,” she said.
“There may have been a few tears when I found out. It’s such an amazing opportunity...because they’re choosing the best of the best from around Australia.”
Her selection for the National Youth Science Forum has made Jaslin eligible to apply for similar youth forums in London and Singapore.
However, science wasn’t always Jaslin’s favourite subject at school, developing a passion for it when she was in year 9.
“That year we got a really good science teacher at school who had a passion for the subject, and that had ignited a spark in me,” she said.
“For me, I love biology and learning about how everything works.”
Jaslin is currently doing chemistry and biology as part of her year 12 studies.
She said she is looking forward to studying science at university once she graduates school.
“I would definitely love to do either an Advanced Bachelor of Science or a double degree in science and law,” she said.
Andrew Brown
I've been part of the Canberra Times since 2016, after reporting at local papers in Sydney's north-west. Since starting at the paper I've had stints on the Sunday Times, on the early morning breaking news round, and now as a general reporter, covering the ins and outs of anything and everything happening in Canberra, with a focus on health.
I've been part of the Canberra Times since 2016, after reporting at local papers in Sydney's north-west. Since starting at the paper I've had stints on the Sunday Times, on the early morning breaking news round, and now as a general reporter, covering the ins and outs of anything and everything happening in Canberra, with a focus on health.
