There are two exciting summer opportunities available to students and teachers in January 2021 wed love to share with our members.
The NCSS Summer School
The National Computer Science Summer School is a residential summer school held each year in early January. You can find out more information about the Summer School at https://ncss.edu.au/summer-school
Applications for NCSS 2021 are now open. Start your online application – applications close at 5pm on 13th November 2020.
Please note, we have made the following changes to our programme to allow us to run a COVID-19 safe summer school.
- NCSS will run for 8 days only from Sunday 3rd January – Sunday 10th January 2021 (inclusive)
- We will be running one node only, at the University of Sydney
- We will only be accepting applications from students who live within a 3 hour drive from Sydney (this include Canberra)
- NCSS will still be residential, with all participants staying on campus at the Women’s College, and there will be strict COVID-19 protocols that all attendees will have to adhere to.
Whilst we have every intention to run the summer school, we reserve the right to cancel at any time, based on advice from NSW Health or due to other consequences of the pandemic.
Teachers are also welcome to attend the Summer School and it is a great opportunity to engage in intensive professional learning. And, you don’t need to be a teacher while you’re there – it’s your chance to be a student and focus on developing your own knowledge and skills. Email using the address below to find out more about getting involved as a teacher.
If you have any questions , please contact summerschool@ncss.edu.au.
NCSS Eligibility and Selection Criteria
NCSS applications will be accepted from students who will complete Year 11 in 2020, and from exceptionally gifted Year 10 students. Selection of students will be based on academic performance, particularly in the subjects of mathematics and science, and demonstrated interest in computing. Personal qualities, such as community service, and social and teamwork skills will also be taken into consideration.
Due to COVID 19, we are only able to accept applications from students who live within a 3 hour drive from Sydney. This will allow students to return home rapidly should they develop symptoms that require a COVID 19 test.
We have an extensive COVID-safe plan for the summer school and students and parents will be required to sign a consent form covering COVID-19 requirements.
No prior knowledge of computing is assumed. Students who are not taking computing units of study at school are eligible to apply. Rest assured that students who enter the program as proficient programmers will also find plenty of material to extend their skills.
Questacon Invention Convention
The end of the year is fast approaching which means it is recruitment time for the National Questacon Invention Convention!
You may have seen a few Twitter or Facebook posts go out recently about applications for this exciting event. We have some good news… Applications are still open!
So if you know a 14-18 year old design thinker, budding inventor, or passionate problem-solver, who is a resident of Canberra or Queanbeyan, point them in our direction!!
For those of you who may not have seen or heard about the NQIC, the National Questacon Invention Convention is a FREE 5 day workshop in Canberra, held every January. This immersive and fun program encourages delegates to bring their inventions to life as they create, design and develop prototype solutions to real-life problems that they care about. Over the five days, participants will have the chance to develop and refine new skills, while also gaining access to materials, tools and mentorships from local innovators and entrepreneurs.
This year the National Questacon Invention Convention will be open to students from Canberra and Queanbeyan only.
So if you know a young person aged 14-18 in January 2021, living in Canberra or Queanbeyan, who is free 18 -22 January, let them know about the Invention Convention and to get their applications in before 5pm Sunday 15th November!
Applications can be found online >> bit.ly/NQIC2021
If you or any young people you know have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact our friendly Invention Convention team at invention.convention@questacon.edu.au
Feel free to forward this information on to any relevant networks.