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!
