By JONATHON HOWARD
THE Rotary Club of Noosa has continued its tradition of sponsoring and nurturing a student of today to become a scientist of tomorrow, by sending a student to the National Youth Science Forum (NYSF).
Each year Rotary Noosa sends one lucky student to the Science Forum, which took place in Perth earlier this year.
The Good Shepherd Lutheran College Year 12 student Andrew Douw was selected to attend the forum.
Andrew showed such passion for science that he was selected from 140 students to attend a follow-up science conference in South Africa.
He recently returned from South Africa with even more knowledge and determination to make a difference in his chosen field of nanotechnology.
He was among several visitors to the Rotary Club of Noosa’s monthly meeting on Monday 13 October, at the Noosa RSL.
The meeting also attracted special guest and Rotary District Governor George Grant and his partner Mary.
Andrew said he hoped to use his smarts to make a difference in the puzzling world of nanotechnology.
“Nanotechnology is the process of construction materials and devices atom by atom,” he explains.
“I hope to contribute to this field in the form of conducting research in a laboratory.”
Andrew said he was thankful for the opportunity given to him by Rotary Noosa and said his visit to South Africa was “incredible”.
“I found South Africa to be an absolutely incredible country, diverse in both culture and science, and I greatly appreciate the opportunity to experience the National Youth Science Week,” he said.
“Some of the most inspirational people in my life are the everyday professors and researchers that are working away in the laboratory to create a better world for everyone.
“Before I attended the National Youth Science Forum, I was unsure exactly of what sort of career I wanted to pursue.
“Through the hands-on laboratory visits and the scientific presentations at the NYSF, I really discovered my calling.
“My journey to South Africa served to strengthen my aspirations to pursue a research-based profession.”
