Youth Science Forum

"The London International Youth Science Forum (LIYSF) is 50 per cent science and 50 per cent interaction," George McGowan remarked during his final speech as chairman of the London International Youth Science Forum. Mr McGowan perfectly described the atmosphere at LIYSF, since science and interaction move in parallel throughout the entire activity.

This year's LIYSF brought together 260 science students from over 50 countries, who attended lectures by top science researchers and professors and visited some of the world-renowned science-related universities and institutions in Britain. Three Maltese students, namely Byron Baron from the University of Malta, Reuben Borg from De La Salle College Sixth Form and Alison Gauci from St Aloysius College Sixth Form, who had taken part in the NSTF Malta Student Science Forum VIII, participated in this year's event.

Most of the lectures presented throughout LIYSF were held at the British Institute of Electrical Engineers and ranged from Mathematics, Physics, Biology, Chemistry to other less known sciences. Other experts also shared their current research discoveries and various existing hypothesis with the students.

Throughout the fortnight, students were given the opportunity to voice their opinion on various scientific and ethical issues. On two particular evenings the participants shared some of their own work in the form of presentations. Some discussed the research they are carrying out with their university professors while others described homemade science projects.

There were trips to the universities of Oxford and Cambridge as well as to the Science Museum and the Natural History Museum and various social events .

The scientific world can be fun and exciting; something very different from the idea of science most students have due to the way in which it is taught at all educational levels. This is an important lesson to be learnt at the LIYSF. LIYSF does not only provide scientific knowledge but also allows the development of various skills such as communication and presentation, debate, as well as learning to accept different views and opinions.

Participation in this event would not have been possible without the full support of the National Student Travel Foundation (Malta), the Malta Chamber of Scientists and the sponsors: Air Malta, the WSC, Tug Malta and Rotary Club La Valette.

For further information regarding the NSTF - Malta Students Science Forum contact Sandra Scicluna on tel. 2124-4983 or by e-mail at nstf@nsts.org.