A report on the exclusive SIYSS conference in Sweden, from Orit Shachat

Every year, a national research project competition is held at the Weizmann Institute of Science. I took part in this competition in 2017 and won first place. The prize included an opportunity to take part in the Stockholm International Youth Science Seminar - SIYSS, and an invite to the Nobel Prize event. Back then, I was not yet 18 years old, so I flew out this year, in early December.

25 youths aged 18-25 took part in the conference. They hailed from 19 countries around the world. The participants had each conducted scientific research in various fields. I presented my research on lincRNAs, which I executed while participating in the Alpha Program at the Weizmann Institute of Science. 

While at the conference, we presented our projects (the scientific research we had conducted). Preparations for the seminar began a few months earlier. The participants were asked to present posters, slideshows and lectures, as well as written summaries of the projects. The preparations continued throughout the conference week as well. 

On the day of the seminar, we presented the projects to high school students studying in Swedish science programs. The presentations were divided into two parts: lectures in the large auditorium, and short explanations to small groups in front of our posters. The students expressed interest in our projects and asked questions. It was evident that the seminar inspired them to engage in scientific research. They were an extremely supportive and excited audience, which made the overall experience highly positive and pleasant. The seminar and lectures have since been published on the SIYSS Facebook page.

Each year, Nobel Prize winners lecture on their life’s work. Within the frameworks of the conference, we were invited to attend lectures presented by Nobel Prize winners in the fields of medicine, chemistry, physics, and economics. We watched the ceremony during which the Nobel Prizes were awarded; a particularly festive and emotional event. The King of Sweden handed out the prizes and spoke about the winners’ works and their contribution to humanity, while an orchestra played. It was an experience that I will never forget. Days later, we were able to meet with the Nobel Prize winners and speak with them, face to face, at the Nobel reception!

Following the ceremony, we took part in the Nobel Prize event’s dinner, where we tried our best to mind our manners and not embarrass our home countries. We finished the meal, and then the most surprising thing happened: an “after party” was held, during which we celebrated and partied until dawn, together with the Nobel Prize winners and their guests.

In addition, the conference hosted a variety of lectures and activities: scientific lectures, a visit to a water purification company in Stockholm, and a gingerbread house making workshop. The conference was a powerful experience for me, during which I met many interesting people.