About Us

Building curiosity, capability, and agency in every classroom.

our-story

Our Story

A number of years ago, I travelled overseas to watch my teenage son present his research at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair — an extraordinary gathering of young minds from across the globe.

What struck me most was not the scale of the event. It was the gap in opportunity.

Students with access to STEM mentors and real-world guidance presented deeper, more sophisticated work. They spoke with confidence. They had been challenged, stretched and supported.

Others were just as capable. They just hadn’t had the same access.

That moment stayed with me.

If talent is everywhere, why isn’t opportunity?

Back home in Australia, I started asking a simple question: what would happen if every young person — not just the fortunate few — had access to meaningful mentoring, industry insight and real-world challenges?

BrainSTEM was established in 2016 to answer that question.

From the beginning, our focus has been clear. Learning should not feel abstract. It should feel connected, purposeful and real.

Through mentoring, design thinking and purposeful STEM learning, we create environments where students tackle genuine community challenges, engage with industry, explore emerging technologies and build the critical skills that matter long after school.

Over time, BrainSTEM has grown into a national organisation working with schools, industry partners and educators who share one belief: young people are capable of far more when given the right support and the right expectations.

We don’t simply deliver programs.

We cultivate agency. We build confidence. We connect learning to life.

Because education should not prepare young people for a test.

It should prepare them for the world.

Sid Verma, Founder & Executive Director

Our Mission

To design and deliver purposeful STEM learning that connects young people with industry, emerging technologies and community challenges, while building the critical skills and mindset needed to thrive in the real world.

our-mission
our-vision

Our Vision

An education system where learning is active, collaborative, and deeply connected to real-world impact.

Our Values

Innovation

Pushing boundaries in educational methods

Inclusivity

Inclusivity

STEM education for everyone

Excellence

Excellence

Highest quality in everything we do

Impact

Impact

Creating lasting positive change

What We Do

Immersive STEM Programs

Hands-on experiences that connect classroom theory to real-world applications through cutting-edge projects and industry partnerships.

Meet Our Team

Our diverse team of educators, engineers, and innovators brings together
decades of experience in STEM education and industry.

Jacqui Visch

Jacqui Visch

Advisory Board Member

Siobhan O’Sullivan GAICD

Siobhan O’Sullivan GAICD

Advisory Board Member

Amanda Berry

Amanda Berry

Deputy Dean, Assoc. Dean Research & Innovation RMIT University

Sid Verma

Sid Verma

Founder & Executive Director

Michelle Hall

Michelle Hall

Associate Professor, University of Sydney

Nancy Mendez

Nancy Mendez

Senior Director, LTIMindtree

Ashley Van Krieken

Ashley Van Krieken

Program Manager & Head Design Thinking Practice

Amey Kalamkar

Amey Kalamkar

Technology