By Casey Neill
Noble Park’s Jasmine Bower joined budding scientists from around the world at a knowledge and networking feast in London.
The Keysborough College Year 12 student and about 16 other Australians attended the London International Youth Science Forum from 27 July to 10 August.
The 17-year-old and almost 500 students from 75 different countries stayed in dormitories at Imperial College London and heard from Nobel Prize winners, watched debates and participated in question and answer panels.
“Every day we’d have lecture with everyone in The Great Hall,” Jasmine said.
“And we had a specialist visit. I got to go and see Oxford University and its department of zoology.”
There were social events and dances, and a little time for sightseeing, and Jasmine made plenty of friends and connections.
She was exposed to different areas of science and the interaction between science and industry.
“I spent a whole day at Airbus and got to see all the engineering, all the construction of some of the planes,” she said.
With help from the Rotary Club of Noble Park, in January Jasmine attended at two-week National Youth Science Forum summer camp at the Australian National University in Canberra.
From there she had the opportunity to apply to attend an international forum.
“I’ve always been interested in science,” she said.
“My dad studied medicine as well.
“Dinner table conversations have always been about science and things like that.
“Being exposed to science from an early age definitely led me in that direction.”
Jasmine hopes to study a Bachelor of Science at Melbourne University next year, and eventually complete a doctorate of veterinary medicine and become a veterinary surgeon.
“This trip helped me because I got to see a lot of zoology, which I’m really interested in,” she said.
“I think that’s sparked an interest for me in my career and tertiary studies.
“My new connections will help with placements and references.
“I have a lot of pets. My dad has a hobby farm with alpacas and sheep and stuff. I have two dogs and two cats.”
She’s looking forward to university life and is considering a semester abroad as part of her studies.
“I’d like to go to Germany,” she said.
“I don’t get homesick. I didn’t struggle at all.”
