The National Youth Science Forum is open to Year 12 students across the country, and Cobram Secondary College’s very own Ruby Noonan was selected to take part in next year’s intake.
    
                  
                                                                
                  
                                            
                              
        The eight-day program will run at the Australian National University in Canberra, immersing attendees into the world of science and technology.
    
                  
                                                                                                                                                                                    
                              
        Ruby said she was most excited to connect with like-minded peers.
    
                  
                                                                                                                                                                                    
                              
        “I love doing programs like these because I live in a small area, and there’s not a lot of people with similar interests as me, so I really like that part of seeing a big cohort of people with similar goals for the future,” she said.
    
                  
                                                                                                                                                                                    
                              
        “It’s about getting together with a group of people around my age with similar interests and hobbies.
    
                  
                                                                                                                                                                                    
                              
        “We’re going to learn about new research in science and technology and maths. We’re going to get tours of facilities they have in Canberra, which is really exciting.”
    
                  
                                                                
                  
                  
                                                                                                                                                                                    
                              
        From January 6 to 14, Ruby will be learning all there is to know about a future in STEM, while making new friends and networking with past participants.
    
                  
                                                                                                                                                                                    
                              
        Following this program, she will have the opportunity to apply for the London International Science Forum next July, which two students from Cobram Secondary College attended this year.
    
                  
                                                                                                                                                                                    
                              
        The school’s community engagement officer, Anne-Marie Hindle, said Ruby, who also recently returned from a humanitarian trip to Cambodia, “is definitely living by the school motto of grabbing every opportunity”.
    
                  
                                                                                                                                                                                    
                              
        Now, with her sights set on becoming a doctor after Year 12, Ruby is looking forward to soaking up all she can from the program.