Nicole Butler

With the winter school holidays just beginning, Semester 1 placements have wrapped up at In2science. Across Victoria, mentors stepped into classrooms or logged on to online sessions with enthusiasm, courage, and a genuine desire to make STEM feel achievable for every student they met. With an incredible 92 placements across 39 schools, it has been a very successful start to mentoring in 2026.

We asked some of our amazing mentors to look back on their time with In2science and share their thoughts.

For Kane from The University of Melbourne, the experience was transformative from the very first day. “As a non-native English speaker, stepping into the classroom took a lot of courage, but the immense warmth and respect I felt from day one made me feel truly welcome. Two moments will stay with me forever: being called ‘Sir’ for the very first time, and hearing a collective ‘Noooo!’ from the students when the teacher announced it was my final session. That reaction was the greatest reward I could have asked for. In the end, I believe I gained just as much from this incredible journey as the students did.”

For Hyo from La Trobe University, the learning flowed both ways. “I originally joined to help inspire the kids in STEM, but I feel like I’m the one who walked away inspired and having learned so much.”

eMentor Stephanie from Deakin University found meaning in becoming the kind of guide she once needed. “Being part of In2science this semester was a really meaningful experience. Over the six weeks, mentoring gave me the chance to be the person I wish I had in high school, someone who could help make university, subject choices and career pathways feel less overwhelming, and remind students that their future is something they can actively shape.”

From RMIT University, Nireeksha’s highlight was a spark of shared passion. “In terms of wins, one that really stood out was connecting with a student who was genuinely passionate about coding. She would come up to me after sessions to ask about career pathways and even gave me lovely feedback on my presentations. One thing I’m really proud of is making sure every student felt seen. I made it a point to visit each student individually, check in on their understanding, and encourage them along the way – especially one student who was finding the concepts harder to grasp. Seeing the whole group respond positively and stay engaged made it all worthwhile.”

Reflecting on his first semester as In2science Director, Dr Cory Smith shared his gratitude for the community that makes all of this possible. “Hearing the stories that mentors have brought back from their placements this semester has been wonderful. A huge thank you to the teachers who welcomed us into their classrooms, to the students who connected with us online through eMentoring, and to our mentors for the care and commitment they brought every week. We’re looking forward to doing it all again in Semester 2!”

If you are keen to get involved with In2science, reach out to us today!

Quantum Victoria was buzzing with curiosity and possibility during the inaugural STEM Careers Day, held on Tuesday May 12. Housed on the campus of Charles La Trobe College, this Centre of Excellence in STEM hosts a variety of events and programs for both primary and secondary students. Year 10-12 students from Charles La Trobe College, Bundoora Secondary College, Glenroy College, Mount Ridley P-12 College and Y Community School were welcomed at the event. In2science mentors joined the action, supporting hands‑on activities and sharing their own journeys into STEM. The participants rotated through five interesting and engaging activities throughout the day, including two delivered by La Trobe University students. Experts in dentistry, architecture, and engineering delivered sessions, allowing the students the opportunity to ask questions and explore these diverse career pathways. Exhibitors from organisations including RMIT University, Melbourne Polytechnic, and Australian Signals Directorate were also available during the day, offering advice and sparking conversations about future pathways.

One of the standout sessions was an energetic workshop on exercise science, led by La Trobe students Jamie‑Lee, Hayley and Bree, alongside In2science mentor Sneha. The room quickly transformed into a mini physiotherapy clinic as students tested their mobility with lunges and squats while their peers assessed technique. This gave the students a glimpse into the real-life experience of a career in sports science. Sneha, studying a Master of Cybersecurity at Deakin University, said, “I enjoyed volunteering for careers day at Quantum!! The team conducted a mobility test among students; it was great to see all the students participate actively and their curiosity to learn about fitness. The workshop ended in a ‘plank challenge’, which was a fun competition. The longest plank was about 3 minutes!! It’s amazing to learn how our body works!”

The second La Trobe-led session, “Pesky Pathogens”, took students into the microscopic world of infectious disease. STEM students Gihansa, Hayley, Lenna, and In2science mentors Mei and Emma, guided the students through a simulation of how easily disease is spread and what we can do to prevent this. A mix‑and‑match activity helped students link common diseases to the organisms that cause them. The presenters shared their own pathways into university and their study interests, and discussed how an interest in pathogens can lead to a variety of careers. Emma, a Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science student at La Trobe University, said, “The students participated in a fun activity, simulating transmission rates of infective diseases. It was amazing to see so many students engaged with the session over the course of the day, and getting to answer their STEM questions.”

In2science would like to thank Quantum for hosting this incredible event, and Belinda D’Angelo from Widening Participation and Outreach at La Trobe for inviting our mentors to be part of it. We look forward to working together in the future to continue to spark curiosity and build confidence with STEM learning.

On March 25th, two of our fabulous In2science mentors assisted Casey Tech School with their innovative Enterprise program. Enterprise is designed for students in year 9 and 10, and challenges them to solve real-world problems in the fields of Community and Youth Engagement, Health and Human Performance, and Clean Energy. The students work in small groups, focussing on a current issue and collaborating to develop a prototype solution, which the team then presents at an expo. Sahiti, a La Trobe University student studying a PhD in food science, and Annam, a Deakin University student studying a Bachelor of Science, attended an online session where they acted as ‘critical friends’. Their role was to listen to the students present their projects and ask them probing questions, inspiring them to critique their work and think a little deeper about their proposals. Sahiti enjoyed the experience, saying, “The students delivered five-minute pitches, exploring topics ranging from renewable energy and artificial intelligence to the challenges of growing plants in space. It was awesome to see their enthusiasm and openness to feedback. Excited to see where their journeys take them next!”

Feedback from the participating students was overwhelmingly positive. One student stated, “It helped us by giving us feedback on how to improve to make our final project the best we can. They also gave us new ideas to add to our project.” Another said, “It made us think of some of the issues or difficulties we might face and helped us to go into detail with our project.” In2science would like to thank Kim Bruce, Interim Director at Casey Tech School, for inviting us to be part of the day, as well as Sahiti and Annam for their enthusiasm and insightful questions. If you are interested in collaborating with In2science, contact us today!

Building on an incredible 2025, In2science has launched into Semester 1, 2026 with fresh momentum and a growing community. This year, we’re thrilled to welcome three new partner schools and an enthusiastic cohort of mentors from across our four partner universities. Each mentor brings their own lived experience, passion for STEM, and commitment to helping students see what’s possible. To capture the excitement of these first few weeks, we asked some of our newest mentors how their early sessions have been—and their reflections say it all.

Jian, from The University of Melbourne, shared, “I joined In2science because I wanted to help make STEM pathways feel more accessible to students who might not otherwise see them as a possibility. I really enjoyed my first session! I had the chance to speak with most of the students, and many of them were more open than I had expected. It was also really interesting to experience a school environment different from my own, and I’m excited to keep learning more as the program progresses!”

For Damion from La Trobe University, the joy comes from sparking curiosity: “I joined in2science because I’m super passionate about sharing science with others, and I believe that there’s something interesting for everyone. I wanted to be able to help students realise that science isn’t as scary as it looks, if I can even help one student realise that then I’ve done my job well. My first few sessions have been really successful, I’ve been able to relate to students and explain things in ways that suit them/relate to their interests, it was a bit scary at first but now going to each session is really exciting.”

Norman, from Deakin University, is embracing the challenge of stepping into a new environment: “I joined In2science because it would be a great opportunity to explore new skills for me that will be valuable to me in my career, and to provide my own knowledge and experience I already have to younger people! I’ve found my first few sessions lovely, traditional classroom environments are not ones I am used to, so it has been a good experience for me in practicing my adaptability and application of soft skills in an unfamiliar setting. I understand how vital it is to be able to communicate information to a variety of audiences, and already in these couple of sessions I have had, I feel like I will come out of the program with better communication skills and that the students will have at least been exposed to the idea of university and further study, in STEM or not.”

And RMIT University student Kylie shared, “I joined In2science to give back to the STEM community. I attribute much of my passion and success in this field to my mentors, including mentors from In2science. Growing up, it was the enthusiasm of my STEM teachers that made me want to become a scientist. However, without the chance encounter that occurred back when I was in high school with In2science I would most likely not be where I am today. The mentors from In2science provided encouragement and pathway programs that lead to opportunities that got me into the field where the people I admire most are.  I am now studying a Bachelor of Science. Like anything new, my first session started off nerve-racking and slow. I initially struggled with self doubt in my abilities to be useful in the classroom and questioned whether or not I was making the most of my time with the teachers and students. Honestly, I think this sort of feeling and thinking lasted for one session as I believe I didn’t get here without picking up some skills along the way from my degree and the support of mentors from In2science. With each passing session bringing me closer to my supervising teacher and students my confidence grew. I now find that my sessions fly by too quickly.” 

With mentors like these stepping into classrooms, Semester 1 is already shaping up to be something special. The enthusiasm, openness, and willingness of the mentors to grow alongside their students sets the tone for another inspiring year of connection, curiosity, and STEM discovery. If you want to get your school involved with In2science, contact us today!

In2science recently featured in the Wangaratta Chronicle in a story all about the achievements of our fabulous mentor Aleeta Carmody. Click here to read the article!

In2science is proud to announce that it has been awarded funding through the Victorian Department of Education’s Strategic Partnerships Program (SPP) through to the end of 2027 to help deliver the program, continuing a successful relationship with the SPP that began in 2018. This renewed support reflects the program’s ongoing impact and achievements in fostering STEM engagement across Victoria.

The funding was awarded after a highly competitive funding round, underscoring the success and value of In2science’s work in connecting university STEM mentors with secondary school students. Since its inception in 2004, In2science has been helping to inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers, and innovators by placing over 4000 mentors into over 200 schools, mentoring more than 85,000 students.

Dr Cory Smith, In2science Program Director, said, “This SPP funding reaffirms the program’s role as a trusted partner in delivering STEM outreach to the communities that need it most, and we’re excited to work towards a future where all Victorian students have the opportunity to see themselves in STEM.”

This investment will enable In2science to continue supporting schools throughout Victoria through our in-class mentoring and eMentoring initiatives. By maintaining and expanding these programs, we can reach the students who need us most – those who may not otherwise have access to STEM role models – and help them discover the opportunities that STEM can create in their lives.

For more information about the Strategic Partnerships Program, visit Partnerships: Department of Education.