Current Presenters
G.A.T.E.WAYS engages presenters who are expert in a given field or fields; passionate about their field and able to convey this enthusiasm to children; excellent communicators who love children; knowledgeable about the special needs of gifted children and how they learn; creative, flexible and skilled in terms of curriculum development and delivery. Together with the program development team, we offer students the opportunity to learn in an environment which is engaging and inspiring curiosity, with hands-on activities, problem solving and higher order thinking skills.
Andrea Blake
Andrea loves giving her own imagination a workout - not just in story writing, but in designing creative workshops that will teach and inspire young learners! She is a specialist in Gifted Education and a highly experienced classroom teacher who has written Educational Resources for other teachers. Andrea knows that all sorts of magic happens when students experience real challenge and have scope to explore their clever ideas in novel ways.
Emma Paul
Emma Paul is an experienced primary teacher with a Masters in Gifted Education. She has been running Gifted and Talented session at GERRIC UNSW and in schools as a Gifted and Talented Teacher and STEM teacher. Emma also has a passion for well-being and it the founder of Shining Little Souls.
Katrina Sims
Katrina Sims has a masters’ degree in gifted education. She is an experienced teacher of specialised mathematics classes for gifted students. She is a member of the Australian Mathematics Trust Challenge Problem Solving committee and has presented professional development workshops for teachers within Australia and overseas. She has received a Bernard Neumann Award for contributions to Mathematics Enrichment for Australian Students and National Excellent in Teaching Award for her contributions to Gifted Education. She has a passion for problem solving in mathematics.
Meg Pini
Meg Pini became solo director of G.A.T.E.WAYS in 2019. She has a Bachelors Degree in Applied Physics. As an accomplished teacher, she has taught secondary school science, mathematics and physics to junior and senior school students. She assists students to be active enquirers, making use of higher order thinking skills to extend and enrich their learning, and encourages them to share their knowledge and appreciation of the universe in which we live. Passionate about education, she is currently undertaking her Masters of Education in Gifted Education. Prior to becoming a Director, Meg had been involved with G.A.T.E.WAYS for many years, as a designer and presenter of exciting and challenging workshops, and as a program co-ordinator.
Aleesah Darlison
Aleesah Darlison is an award-winning author, naturalist, and life-long learner. She has written over sixty-five books for children including Grace The Amazing, the League of Llamas series, the Endangered Animal Tales Series, Our Class Tiger, Clara Capybara, and the upcoming Blue: Dragon of the sea. Aleesah is a regular tutor and mentor at workshops, courses, and manuscript assessment sessions for Writing NSW. She served three years as a Panel Chair and Judge for the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards (Patricia Wrightson Prize for Children’s Literature) and has served as past Director of Writing NSW’s Kids and YA Literary Festival. Aleesah travels extensively delivering talks and workshops.
Tony Doyle
Tony is a motivational and dynamic presenter who has been involved in primary education for close on 40 years. As a classroom teacher, ICT Coordinator, Gifted and Talented teacher, Deputy and Head of School, Tony has a great interest in how children learn and he has a real passion for teaching STEM and in particular Mathematics and Coding. Always paramount in his planning and delivery is the relevance and connection of the tasks to today’s primary students. Over the past two decades he has published student and teacher texts on the Australian Curriculum: Mathematics for the middle and senior primary years. Tony has also taught coding and programming in other G.A.T.E.WAYS programs.
Yvonne Mes
Yvonne Mes is a contradiction; she is both book creator and book devourer. After a long career working with children of all ages, abilities and from diverse background, Yvonne writes and illustrates stories for children with curious minds. She loves to write both fiction and nonfiction and her books have been published in Australia and internationally. Her latest nonfiction picture book is The Opal Dinosaur published by CSIRO and illustrated by Sylvia Morris. Two of her picture books have been shortlisted for the Speech Pathology Book of the Year Awards. She is studying a Master of Arts in Writing and Literature. Yvonne has over 20 years of experience working with children of all ages, abilities and cultures. She has a Bachelor of Children's Services and qualifications in Professional Children's Writing and Visual Arts.
Kylie Ann Cox
Kylie is an English and Drama educator (B Arts/B Ed) with a passion for The Arts and encouraging creative thinking. She has specialised in select entry English classes and has contributed to both the English and Drama curriculum across two different states (NSW and VIC). She combines classroom teaching with specialist incursions and is also a current VCE Drama assessor.
Allen Dickson
Allen Dickson is an educator & speaker with a passion for ensuring learning is innovative, practical and enjoyable. For over 20 years he has combined classroom teaching with appointments in various extra-curricular organisations where he uses a diverse range of skills to instil confidence, extend abilities and initiate change in classrooms. A regular with G.A.T.E.WAYS since 2012, Allen also runs his own educational consultancy – RethinkPD – where he speaks on a range of specialist issues (literacy, numeracy, thinking curricula, extension and enrichment, etc) both in schools and at conferences around the country.
Dannika Patterson
Dannika Patterson is a Brisbane-based author and presenter with degrees in psychology and journalism. She has written numerous books for children including Jacaranda Magic, Scribbly Gum Secrets, Zoom and Hedgehog the Wonder Dog. Her children's book titles are used widely as resources in Australian homes & schools, helping open relatable conversations about important topics. Dannika enjoys visiting schools, libraries & festivals to share her books and story-driven workshops, where she uses her skills to educate, empower and inspire children in a warm, joyful way.
Leanne Eisman
Leanne is a vibrant, experienced primary school teacher with a wealth of knowledge in developing exciting enrichment opportunities for gifted and talented learners. She has completed a Master’s degree in gifted education at the University of New South Wales, and is passionate about further advancing her students’ curiosities, imaginations, and creative and critical thinking and problem-solving skills through highly stimulating learning experiences.
Ben Gray
Ben has nearly two decades of experience working in technology and related fields. He brings that experience to his long held passion for teaching children. He uses this Digital Technologies and Maths background to develop fun and engaging workshops that are anchored in real-world STEM based scenarios.
Sean Elliott
Sean is a writer and educator who has been working in science communication since 2001. He has written and presented education sessions for schools and community groups, and has worked for groups such as Museum Victoria, CSIRO, and Edinburgh International Science Festival. Sean has worked on science television shows, including scripting "Physics House" on ABC TV, and as a segment producer on "Scope" on Network Ten. He regularly runs holiday programs and science club events that have a strong focus on STEM skills. Sean lives in Melbourne with his son, and his favourite planet is Saturn.
Himeshika Samaradivakara
Himie is a dynamic ESL teacher and media maven based in vibrant Hong Kong. She inspires her students to question the world around them with an insatiable curiosity, igniting deep and creative thinking. Fluent in six languages, Himie’s passion for communication knows no bounds. Currently, she’s on an exciting journey toward her final year in a master’s degree in primary education at Deakin University, blending her love for learning with innovative teaching methods.
Susanne Williams
Susanne is an accomplished educator with a strong dedication to nurturing the intellectual growth of high-potential students in the fields of science and technology. With a master's degree in teaching and a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Geography, she has dedicated her career to inspiring students and fostering their critical thinking skills. Holding founding roles such as STEM Integrator and Junior School Science and Technology Specialist, Susanne has written engaging and customised programs, while also orchestrating STEM clubs and Science Week events tailored to the unique needs of high-achieving learners. Her unwavering sense of purpose in advancing education, coupled with her continuous commitment to learning and adaptability, underscores her reputation as an innovative educator who leaves an indelible mark on the growth and development of gifted students in the realm of science education.
Mark Maxwell
Mark is an artist and workshop presenter. His practice encompasses marques, woodwork, building, animation, set design and lighting. When creating miniature models, he explores engineering principles and tries to design projects that promote open-ended creativity. Mark has completed an Art and Design degree and has worked as technical engineer in many theatres. He presents workshops for Regional Arts Victoria, which bring professional art practitioners to schools, community groups, art galleries, libraries, and art festivals.
Cameron Semmens
Cameron Semmens is an award-winning poet, entertainer and poetry educator with 21 books to his name and 27 years’ experience of sharing on the stage and the page. He makes his living through words: running workshops, de-signing books and performing live. He lives in the foggy, ferny forests of the Dandenong Ranges with his two young kids, Spencer and Mieka.
Emma Carter
Emma has Bachelor Degrees in Science and Engineering, with majors in Physics and Electrical Engineering from the University of Melbourne. She has taught secondary school maths, science and physics, and has worked at Scienceworks as well as the Discovery Science and Technology Museum where she was an outreach education officer. Emma now enjoys presenting science workshops for G.A.T.E.WAYS.
Layla Sacker
Layla teaches English Literature to both primary and secondary school students. She is passionate about the need for writers to have the time to develop their writing skills by exploring a wide range of written and spoken texts from the past and present. Layla exhibits her own paintings and applies her training in the Arts to enable her writers to use art as a further source of inspiration. She has a firm belief in the capacity of children to think outside the box and her creative writing students from primary school to university have done just that. Layla delights in using technology and multimedia as texts as well as drawing on traditional literature.
Tim Byrne
Tim Byrne has been stuck on simple machines since he first worked at Scienceworks years ago. He hopes one day to move on to more complex machines like his printer, which often stops working for no apparent reason. He has a collection of simple machines and enjoys sharing and analysing their many talents. His favourite simple machine is a third class lever or straw broom that sends an egg flying into the air only to be saved by a glass of water. It still amazes him every time it works.
Michelle Emsley
Michelle is a former reporter and radio producer turned primary teacher. Teaching students for the past thirteen years, she has developed a passion for all things literacy related. She regularly contributes to an education magazine, writing literacy focused resources for teachers. In her spare time, Michelle is working on writing her first novel. Michelle has presented a number of workshops with G.A.T.E.ways and has a passion for working with students who are gifted and talented. She cannot wait to work with the authors, poets and playwrights of the future.
Emma Carter
Emma has Bachelor Degrees in Science and Engineering, with majors in Physics and Electrical Engineering from the University of Melbourne. She has taught secondary school maths, science and physics, and has worked at Scienceworks as well as the Discovery Science and Technology Museum where she was an outreach education officer. Emma now enjoys presenting science workshops for G.A.T.E.WAYS.
Joy McGrath
Joy is a teacher with over 35 years of teaching practise in both the USA and Australia. She has specialised in languages and has been the Teaching and Learning Leader and the Head of Primary in several schools. No longer working fulltime in schools, Joy is able to invest her time into special educational projects and presenting in the High Ability classroom.
Martin Chatterton
British/Australian, Dr Martin Chatterton is an award-winning writer, illustrator, producer and in demand educational presenter whose work has been translated into fifteen languages. He has written over forty books, mainly for Penguin random House, Scholastic and Walker Books and illustrated countless others. Martin writes successfully across most genres and age ranges from picture books through to primary chapter books, YA novels and adult fiction. In recent years he has co-written extensively with global publishing phenomenon, James Patterson. As an illustrator he has collaborated with some of the biggest names in the world of children’s books including Julia Donaldson, Michael Rosen, Alexander McCall Smith and Anthony Horowitz. Martin also writes and develops projects for the screen (for both children and adult audiences) and is a partner in Hungry Head, a UK-based children’s media development company. Recent books have been shortlisted for the NSW Premiers Literary Awards, the Prime Minister’s Literary Awards and been listed as a CBCA ‘Notable’. His book, ‘Winter of the White Bear’ which is currently in late-stage development as a co-production animated movie, sprang from his PhD on the toxic legacy of slavery in his hometown of Liverpool.
Rachel Holkner
Rachel uses her passions for writing and literature to engage students in original creative-thinking activities. She has worked with G.A.T.E.WAYS for over ten years bringing exciting and stimulating workshops to life with her enthusiasm for wild imaginative play and the infinite ways in which words can be used to communicate. Rachel works in both the primary and secondary sectors improving literacy and writing, and with State Library Victoria as a presenter and storyteller. She has a Master of Arts specialising in Children’s Literature and has written for a range of publications including The Guardian and Black Dog Books.
Laura Jade Hindes
Laura has many years of experience in leading science workshops for primary school students, as well as experience mentoring youths and undergraduates through intensive project-based courses. She has a multidisciplinary background, holding a Masters in Illumination Design, a degree in Fine Art and further studies in biology, science communication as well as curatorial and museum studies. Laura is looking forward to working with eager young minds with a passion for science.
Andrew Dobbyn
Andrew Dobbyn has over 25 years primary and secondary teaching experience in Australia and abroad covering a wide range of subjects. Andrew has a Graduate Diploma in Computer Education, a Bachelor of Education and a Master’s in Education majoring in leadership. He has worked as a teaching and learning advisor for a national and international company that specialises in educational software and hardware. He has also worked for a number of years as an eLearning coach and consultant.
Dimity Powell
Dimity Powell loves filling every spare moment with words. She’s the Managing Editor for Kids' Book Review and writes and reviews exclusively for children with over 30 internationally published stories including the award winning, This Is My Dad (2022) and At The End of Holyrood Lane (2018). Dimity’s favourite word is serendipity because it rhymes a bit with her name and helps her maintain her ‘improvise adapt overcome’ attitude towards life.
Margrete Lamond
Margrete is an author, editor and publisher, who has worked with government, multinational and independent children’s publishers. As a publisher, Margrete has published hundreds of books written and illustrated by others, many of which have won awards. She began her publishing career at Scholastic Press in 2002, was publisher at Little Hare Books from 2006 to 2017, and is now Publisher at Dirt Lane Press. As an author, she has had more than 20 of her own works published by a range of publishers, most notably The Sorry Tale of Fox and Bear (short-listed for the NSW Premier’s Literary Award 2017) and Just One Bee (Honour Book for the CBCA Picture Book of the Year 2022). Her latest book is The Paper-flower Girl. Margrete holds a master’s degree in children’s literature, where she explored the connections between neuroscience and storytelling.
Michael Caruso
Michael is a highly experienced educator with a Bachelor of Psychology, who produces workshops using story, song and role play to engage curious minds. Michael’s observational nature, dynamic thinking and improvisation skills, enable him to optimise each student's learning, ensuring they gain the most from challenging, highly stimulating tasks, and deep critical and creative thinking opportunities. Michael enjoys stimulating minds with thought provoking activities and is passionate about creating a path for future generations to think “out of this world”.
Jacob Pini
Jacob has completed a Bachelor of Aviation and a Masters of Teaching at the University of Melbourne. He is passionate about mathematics, digital technologies, positive education, and restorative justice. He believes firmly in firing imagination and inspiring interest in hands-on STEM education (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). Jacob enjoys balancing his time between being outdoors on camping trips and plugging in to a variety of video games for enjoyment. He is looking forward to sharing his experiences, and creating exciting new learning opportunities.
Hemanshi Galaiya
Hemanshi is an entrepreneur, a PhD student, and a passionate educator. She has led initiatives as President of the Women in Engineering Student Society and was recognised as a '25 Under 25 Young Achiever' for her work in decentralising education. Hemanshi is the founder and CEO of Young Stripes, a multi-award-winning experiential education and leadership initiative aimed at positively impacting STEM careers in Kenya. Her impact has reached over 50,000 individuals globally and for this, she has been named as a 'Rising Impact Maker in Africa' at the Global Changemakers Awards. Hemanshi's mission in life is to ensure every young person, regardless of background, is empowered to reach their full potential.
Emily Liccioni
With prior teaching experience in the UK and South Korea, Emily has spent the last eight years teaching via Project-Based and Problem-Based Learning and facilitating workshops at the Centre for Deeper Learning. She currently works for New Tech Network Australia as a School Development Coach supporting schools across Australia to create more engaging, student-centred classrooms that foster critical thinking, collaboration, communication, and student agency. With two young children herself, Emily has a keen eye on the future of education and the skills future graduates will need for success in their careers and in life. Emily has a passion for supporting all learners to think creatively, work collaboratively and to take the reins over their own learning so they can achieve their full potential.
Sarah Edwards
Sarah Edwards has been teaching for over 10 years across a variety of primary and secondary areas. She began her career teaching in the early years primary classroom, as well as working with students with additional needs and as part of a numeracy intervention team. However, the majority of her teaching has been as a language specialist- drawing on her almost 30 years of experience with our neighbouring country, Indonesia. She loves to share her stories of living there as an expatriate child in primary school, studying at a local university as a young adult and travelling throughout the diverse islands across the past 3 decades exploring the amazing archipelago! Sarah has a passion for fostering 'cultural intelligence' and loves the way the language classroom can open our eyes to a more global perspective!
Andrew Tadros
Along with extensive Secondary teaching experience, Andrew has a Bachelor of Commerce and a Masters of Teaching. He brings extensive knowledge and skills to his G.A.T.E.WAYS workshops, with a passion for relating Maths to everyday life. With the right approach, he strongly believes that every student can thrive in Maths, with algebra and statistics being his favourite areas to unpack with students. Outside of the classroom, Andrew is a very enthusiastic AFL fan and loves reading and exercise. In his workshops, Andrew looks forward to challenging you and providing an opportunity to improve your Mathematical thinking skills.
Anika Thapliyal
With a commitment to fostering a love for learning in young minds, Anika Thapliyal brings a dynamic approach to teaching Science and Mathematics. As a qualified teacher, Anika is dedicated to creating a safe and inclusive space where students can explore the wonders of science with confidence. Her enthusiasm for hands-on, experiential learning methods allows students to engage deeply with scientific concepts, nurturing their curiosity and critical thinking skills.
Shan Shan Kou
Dr. Shan Shan Kou holds a PhD in Bioengineering from the National University of Singapore and spent nearly a decade as a Physics lecturer. In 2021, she transitioned into filmmaking and producing, focusing on social and science documentaries. Driven by a passion for making science accessible to diverse audiences, Dr. Kou now combines her expertise in education, research, and media to inspire the next generation of STEM learners. Through her work, she continues to bridge the gap between complex scientific concepts and engaging storytelling, empowering students and educators alike to explore the wonders of science.
Deborah Patterson
With over two decades of teaching experience, Deborah began her career as a Secondary school teacher, specialising in Mathematics, Science and Biology. She has held leadership roles as VCE Coordinator and Sustainability Coordinator, and more recently as a Primary STEM specialist. Deborah is the lead designer in an upper primary program that encourages students to extend their thinking and mindset. When she isn't working on her Master of Education in Digital Futures and Innovative Practices, she is playing for her local soccer club, listening to acapella music, or having adventures in nature with her family.
Jacob Strickling
Jacob is a seasoned science teacher with an impressive 25-year tenure in education. Beyond the classroom, Jacob extends his impact as a Science YouTuber, captivating over 50,000 subscribers with fun and engaging content. This has led to regular appearances on prominent shows like the Today Show, Studio 10, Australia's Got Talent, and Shark Tank Australia. Jacob is also the inventor and CEO of Tiny Science Lab. This ground-breaking venture is set to revolutionise how science practicals are conducted in schools. With a rich tapestry of experiences, Jacob is not just an educator but a driving force behind the future of science education.
Thomas Earls
Hey, I’m Beekeeper Tom! I’m a passionate beekeeper and native bee educator. I love to identify different varieties of wildflowers and you can often find me running to the waves for a surf after a long day spent working with 500,000 honeybees. There are over 2300 different species of Bees here in Australia, many are a variety of different colours and sizes. I'm buzzing to share all my knowledge about bees, their environmental importance and I hope to see you at a GATEWAYS program very soon.
Kate Walther
Kate is a writer and science content communicator with a passion for teaching critical thinking and scientific method. As an experienced gifted and talented program developer, Kate has made it her mission to foster inquisitiveness and logical thought in children. She is excited about encouraging young minds to think outside the box and develop a process to problem solve.
Jose Escobar Lema
With a background in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Jose brings a unique blend of engineering expertise and educational experience to G.A.T.E.WAYS. Passionate about nurturing young minds, Jose has extensive experience in teaching gifted students, having facilitated entrepreneurship workshops and designed educational programs for high school students through the University of Queensland. His teaching approach is grounded in creativity, inquiry-based learning, and real-world applications, making complex concepts accessible and engaging for gifted learners. By integrating real-world engineering applications into his workshops, Jose empowers students to think critically, solve problems creatively, and explore the limitless possibilities of science and technology.
Murray Allen
Murray’s an engineering technologist from Toowoomba with a background in education, manufacturing, retail, hospitality, permaculture, construction and technical writing. While living in Brazil, he created and delivered a series of sustainable development workshops for school children and taught English. Since then, Murray has been expanding into STEAM education with a particular interest in critical and creative thinking. His 2024 book A Forest Child Adventure: Conquering Carbon Chaos fuses powerful poetry and detailed drawings in a cross-curricular resource for all ages teaching systems thinking and wellbeing. www.aforestchildadventure.com In his spare time, Murray is producing an animated film based on this book. He’s the organiser of Creatives Community in Brisbane, plays a shakuhachi, and dabbles in traditional arts and crafts.
Nat Ferfoglia
Nat Ferfoglia has been inspiring curious minds since 2003. From 2017–2019, she criss-crossed Australia solo, visiting over 300 schools and clocking up 140,000 km as a Forensic Science Presenter. These days, her curiosity has taken a delightful turn toward entomology, driven by a mission to build better relationships with insects. With qualifications in communication, audio engineering, and education, Nat brings imagination, inquiry, and a sense of adventure to every workshop. She’s thrilled to be back with G.A.T.E.WAYS — a place that keeps her thinking big and reaching for the stars in education.
Mansi Miryala
Mansi Miryala has over seven years of experience in various educational roles including as an assistant teacher for abacus maths, an online tutor, an educational workshop facilitator, and a student mentor with a focus on entrepreneurship. Mansi is currently in her final year of a dual degree in Chemical Engineering and Mathematics at the University of Queensland, which she says has been crucial in further deepening her capacity for analytical thinking and creativity — skills that are essential for delivering enriching and intellectually stimulating content to gifted students. With a strong foundation in complex problem-solving and a passion for making challenging concepts accessible and exciting, she strives to spark curiosity and inspire a love of learning in her students
Sandip Khadka
Sandip Khadka is a science educator and aspiring aerospace engineer who turns rocket science into hands-on fun. As a member of the USYD Rocketry Team, he brings real engineering experience into the classroom, guiding students through launch simulations, rocket builds, and space-themed challenges. As a mathematics teacher and aeroplane enthusiast, Sandip helps young minds explore big ideas of nature — one flying object at a time.
Mary Ann DiMartino
Mary Ann is an experienced educator with over 30 years of teaching and educational leadership, specialising in the development and coordination of innovative programs for gifted and talented students from Prep to Year 12. With postgraduate studies in Gifted Education, she held key roles including Head of Extension Programs where she designed and delivered programs for students with high ability and ran gifted workshops for primary students. A member of several gifted education associations, Mary Ann is passionate about empowering students to realise their potential, nurturing their growth and igniting a lifelong love of learning—because there’s nothing more exciting than seeing young minds light up and discover new possibilities!
Emily Taylor
A multi-award winning actor with over 15 years experience, Emily has appeared in a number of television programs such as Get Krack!n, Home and Away, The Dr Blake Mysteries, It’s A Date and Underbelly. She has worked extensively on stage: most recently in a US tour of Meeting Mozart; Othello and Macbeth for Sport for Jove; a national tour of Grace Under Pressure; Meeting Mozart at the Sydney Opera House and Melbourne Recital Centre, and a national tour of Senior Moments. Emily has collaborated with young people for many years - as a Director, theatre maker and teaching artist – with organisations such as Melbourne Theatre Company, Malthouse, Arena Theatre Company, Drama Victoria, Melbourne Playback, First Impressions Youth Theatre, G.A.T.E.ways, NIDA and Options Theatre Company. Emily has also designed and facilitated sessions on presentation skills, conflict resolution, leadership, team building and organisational re-structure and has created and performed interactive theatre at conferences. In 2022 Emily received a grant from The Art House Wyong and Create NSW to write a play set on the Central Coast of NSW. She is currently developing that script for performance.
Ben Hinton
Ben Hinton has broken out (but not literally) of his cage to teach students of all ages writing and public speaking from his home. Ben’s father was an actor; his mother was a ballet dancer, so you should not be surprised if you see Ben playing the ukulele and singing at the supermarket or your local mall. Ben wants to change the destiny of each one of his students through joyful learning. He looks forward to seeing you in class.
Ash Mackay
Ash is an experienced primary teacher who brings curiosity, creativity, and high expectations into her classroom. With several years of teaching experience across a range of year levels, she is passionate about designing learning that is both intellectually challenging and highly engaging. Ash believes the most effective learning environments are those where students feel supported, motivated, and excited to learn. Outside of the classroom, she enjoys spending time in nature, baking, and being with her family.
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Yiwen Hui (Vivian)
Vivian is an experienced secondary mathematics teacher who has worked with students of diverse learning needs, including gifted and talented learners. Through her teaching experience, she has developed a strong expertise in curriculum design, differentiation, and strategies that promote meaningful student engagement. Vivian has a genuine passion for mathematics and enjoys exploring a wide range of mathematical topics. She is skilled at designing and delivering engaging lessons that make complex concepts accessible and enjoyable for students. Holding a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Education, Vivian brings both deep subject knowledge and pedagogical insight to her role. She is committed to making mathematics inspiring, inclusive, and achievable for all learners.
Dr Fred Tanyous
Dr Fred holds a PhD and Master’s degree in Biomedical Engineering, and brings a contagious passion for Science and Technology into every session he runs. With a gift for breaking down complex concepts into clear, engaging ideas, Fred is dedicated to making STEM not only accessible but exciting for young learners. His workshops are packed with hands-on activities designed to spark curiosity, build understanding, and keep students actively involved from start to finish.Dr Fred holds a PhD and Master’s degree in Biomedical Engineering, and brings a contagious passion for Science and Technology into every session he runs. With a gift for breaking down complex concepts into clear, engaging ideas, Fred is dedicated to making STEM not only accessible but exciting for young learners. His workshops are packed with hands-on activities designed to spark curiosity, build understanding, and keep students actively involved from start to finish.
Jessica de Mezieres
Jess is a Science Educator with over ten years’ experience teaching secondary Biology and Chemistry, holding degrees in biomedical science and education. She has practical tertiary experience, teaching in laboratories based around anatomy, physiology, cell biology, and metabolism. Drawing on this background, Jess design rich, hands-on learning experiences that treat science as a process of discovery. She challenges gifted students in Years 1–6 to think like scientists — asking questions, testing ideas, and engaging with complex concepts such as genetics and infectious disease in ways guided by curiosity, not age.
Justin McKenzie
Justin has a passion for science and mathematics and a drive to pass this on to his students. An electronic technician in another life, Justin now specializes in teaching mathematics, science and technology, and for the past 13 years has presented many well received programs with G.A.T.E.WAYS. His enthusiasm is infectious!
Nikki
Nikki is a Primary Learning Specialist and Maths Consultant, with a passion for mathematics. She is the co-founder of Limitless Maths, a business that runs exciting and engaging numeracy workshops for students, exposing them to maths concepts through hands on tasks, puzzles and challenges. She loves teaching students how to apply a ‘limitless’ mindset to their learning, whilst bringing lots of energy and fun to everything she does.
Ksenia Zinoviev
Ksenia is a Clinical Psychologist who loves helping children reveal the secrets behind how their minds work. She has always been fascinated by the way children think, learn, and make sense of the world, and brings this curiosity into each of her workshops. After completing her training at Flinders University, Ksenia has worked across schools, clinics and community settings in both Adelaide and Sydney. Through her psychology practice, she supports children and families to discover individual strengths; turning this understanding into confidence and growth. Ksenia believes every child has a unique “inner compass”, guiding how they learn and connect. She loves helping young people realise that their minds are powerful tools, which are full of creativity and endless possibilities.
Aman Pradeep Dodhia
Aman is a STEM educator and programme facilitator who specialises in making complex ideas clear, practical, and engaging for diverse learners. His workshops combine hands-on activities with problem-solving and real-world connections, helping students build confidence and curiosity in STEM. He is the Chief of Operations at Young Stripes, a STEM education social enterprise in Kenya, where he has spent the past three years leading teams to deliver high-quality workshops in schools and under-resourced communities. Aman’s background in international business adds a strong real-world lens to his teaching.
Rose Nezhad
Rose Nezhad is an experienced STEM educator who specialises in teaching mathematics, science, coding and programming to primary school students. She is passionate about designing rich, hands-on learning experiences that make abstract concepts visible, meaningful and engaging. Rose’s workshops emphasise problem-solving, higher-order thinking and creative inquiry, encouraging students to ask questions, test ideas and build confidence as learners. Her approach blends rigour with imagination, helping students experience the magic of STEM as both intellectually challenging and genuinely exciting.
Rachel Lowne
Rachel has a strong background in marine science, with a Bachelor’s degree in Marine Biology and two years’ experience working as a professional scuba diver. While living in the UK, Rachel developed Ocean Axis, a small coastal education program offering summer holiday sessions on local beaches and shorelines. Their workshops draw on real encounters with marine life and a genuine fascination for the ocean’s strange and wonderful ecosystems. Rachel is excited to share her knowledge and enthusiasm for the underwater world with curious minds who want to learn more about the ocean.
Sarfraz Shaik
Sarfraz Shaik (MBiotech, Uni Melb) is a passionate science educator and Lead VCE tutor in Biology and Chemistry. With a strong foundation in biotechnology, he brings academic depth and analytical precision to his teaching, helping students engage confidently with complex scientific ideas. Sarfraz designs structured, intellectually challenging learning experiences that connect theory to real-world applications. Committed to inclusive and high-impact education, he strives to cultivate curiosity, critical thinking and academic excellence in every learner.
Jeremy Newton-John
After completing a degree in forest science with honours at the University of Melbourne, Jeremy Newton-John worked as a taxi driver, musician, landscaper, environmental campaigner, and freelance writer. His work has been published in The Age and Australian newspapers and numerous magazines. An unexpected encounter led him into education and he taught high school science and mathematics for more than two decades. Along the way, he earned a doctorate in science education and was invited to be a guest lecturer for Griffith University’s teacher training program. He lives in Melbourne, likes mountains but not heights, and still hopes to find a billion-year-old meteorite.
Kanika Dhyani
Kanika Dhyani is a software engineer and cybersecurity educator with a strong background in security thinking, analytical problem solving, networks and computer architecture. She teaches at Monash University, where she helps students understand how computing systems work from the ground up and how to reason clearly about technology. Kanika enjoys turning complex technical ideas into practical hands-on activities that young learners can explore with confidence. Her workshops focus on curiosity, structured reasoning and creative problem solving, and she aims to help students see the logic and possibilities inside modern computer science.
Chamali Jacob
Chamali Jacob (PhD, Physics) is a passionate Science educator dedicated to inspiring curiosity and deep thinking in young learners. With experience teaching at both school and university levels, she designs rich, hands-on workshops that invite students to grapple with real scientific ideas and think like a physicist. Chamali’s sessions blend academic rigour with imaginative inquiry, encouraging students to question, test and develop a lasting fascination with Science.
Alexa Arganda
Alexa Arganda is an aspiring educator with a Bachelor of Advanced Science (Honours) and is currently studying a Master of Teaching (Primary) at the University of Queensland. She enjoys working with children of all ages and loves exploring topics in science, maths, English, sport and French. Alexa believes in nurturing curiosity and confidence in every student — inspiring them to ask big questions, discover the joy of learning, and develop as lifelong learners.