OUR STORY

Why we started

After more than 20 years as an electrical/electronics and industrial engineer at companies like IBM, Schneider Electric, Dyno Nobel and Tyco, our founder kept seeing the same thing: the best problem-solvers she worked with had fallen in love with building things as kids. Yet too many children were meeting science and technology only through worksheets and screens.

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In 2018, she started STEAM Powered Education to change that. The idea was simple: let kids design, build and test real things, guided by people who do STEM for a living. 

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Today our team delivers incursions, after-school clubs, holiday programs and tutoring across South East Queensland. Every program is still built around the same belief: children value what they create.

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WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT

What makes us different

Real engineers and qualified teachers
Our programs are designed and delivered by people with backgrounds in electrical, mechanical and civil engineering, biomedical science, maths and education.

Hands-on and practical
From Mini Bots to light-up bracelets, children leave with something they made and an understanding of how it works.

Curriculum-aligned
School programs link to the Australian Curriculum (v9), and early learning programs link to the EYLF. We provide alignment sheets so teachers can connect the session straight back to their unit.

Inclusive by design
Small groups, mixed-age activities that stretch older kids and support younger ones, and adaptations for diverse learners.

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MEET THE TEAM

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Nirasha Welikala - Founder & Director
B.Eng (Elec) (Hons), MEM, Cert IV Training & Assessment
Nirasha has 20+ years of engineering experience at IBM, Tyco, Dyno Nobel, Lactalis and Schneider Electric. Her expertise spans electronics, manufacturing, process improvement and designing training programs for adults and children. She started STEAM Powered Education to inspire the next generation into STEM careers.

 

Sandra Murphy — Lead Educator
Grad Dip Education, Cert IV Training & Assessment
Sandra has taught Digital Technologies and STEM for more than 20 years in public and private schools across NSW and Queensland. She specialises in coding, robotics and game design, and has taught VET certificates in IT and digital media.
 

Mika Furuya — Educator
M.Sc (Mathematics), B.Sc (Mathematics)
Mika taught maths for five years at MITA International School in Tokyo, from Year 7 to Year 12, including advanced and English-immersion classes. She brings a project-based, cross-curricular approach that connects maths, science and real life.
 

Dikshika Gurung — Educator
B.Tech (Civil Engineering); studying a Master's in Civil Engineering & Project Management, Griffith University
A tutor with more than three years' experience in maths and science, Dikshika builds individual learning plans and is especially skilled at keeping every learner engaged and focused.
 

Ava Choi — Educator
B.Sc (Hons) Marine Biology, Griffith University
A scuba diving instructor and former art and early-education teacher, Ava loves hands-on activities that spark creativity and critical thinking. She speaks English, Cantonese and Mandarin.

 

Our advisors

• Prof Ghazaleh Taherzadeh — PhD in Computational Biology (Griffith University), MSc in Artificial Intelligence, B.Eng in Software Engineering

• Tara Edwards — B.Biomedical Science, B.Sc, Dip Management

 

CHILD SAFETY

Safe hands, every session

Children's safety comes first in everything we do:

• Every facilitator holds a current Queensland Blue Card

• Fully insured (certificate of currency on request)

• A documented risk assessment for every program

• A Child and Youth Risk Management Strategy under Queensland's Working with Children Act

• We never photograph children's faces, and we get written consent before using any photos

 

Read our Child Safety Policy

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JOIN THE TEAM

Love STEM? Work with us

We're always looking for enthusiastic facilitators with a background in science, engineering, technology or teaching. A current Blue Card is essential.
contact@steampowerededucation.com.au

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 Let's build something amazing together
Or call 0438 769 928, Mon–Sat 8am–6pm.

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