About Us

Who We Are

STEAM-ED was formed in mid-2021 to provide quality lessons to children aged-5-13yrs. Formerly the "classroom" of House of Science Tauranga, we are now an entirely separate entity. We have lessons for homeschool children, afterschool classes and holiday programmes run at our venue just opposite Tauranga Boys College.

We love taking our equipment into schools or having school groups come to our venue for an E.O.T.C session. As well as the children learning, the teachers also receive professional development and learn new skills they can take back into their classrooms.

STEAM-ED endeavours to offer classes that cover all the S.T.E.A.M (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Mathematics) areas within our lessons. For example, our Space Exploration topic also included constructing paper models of rockets that the children could take home. Each term our classes study a different topic for eight weeks, usually starting the second week of the school term.

Our Robotics classes cater for children who are simply having a go, through to those that wish to expand into designing and programming their own robots using our VEX robotics equipment. We also house a small, but very successful competitive robotics team who have won numerous national awards and competed in the VEX Robotics World Championships making it through to Division finals and in 2021 winning the 'Innovate Award'.

What we do

STEAM-ED delivers integrated science, technology, engineering, arts, and maths education for young people.

OUR MISSION

Equipping students with the skills and mindset needed to thrive in tomorrow's rapidly evolving world, through the delivery of high quality STEAM programmes. STEAM-ED will work hand in hand with the community to deliver education services to all walks of life to allow a STEAM focused future for everyone.

Learn More

Our Educators

General Manager

Toni de Rijk

In my previous role I was the Operations Manager for a large OSCAR provider with centres all around the North Island. I am also a voluntary regional co-ordinator for Kiwibots running VEX Robotics competitions in NZ. Therefore, it was a natural progression to take on the management of STEAM-ED at the end of 2021. My husband, Paul, mentors the STEAM-ED robotics club and is an industrial chemist. Our daughter is a secondary school teacher teaching launguages (Mandarin and Japanese) and Social Sciences. Our two boys are Mechatronics Engineers after starting their study of robotics while attending Otumoetai College. One is a design electronics engineer here in Tauranga, who also competes in 'Battlebots' in USA as part of the NZ team 'End Game'. The other has worked at Rocket Lab as part of their recovery team, and is now in Singapore designing and developing cleaning robots . I believe that all children have talent and just need the opportunity to find out what they are good at. Once they find their passion and are able to pursue it, they will flourish!

Manager's Assistant/Educator

Barbara Cook

I'm a NZ registered teacher and have been part of the STEAM-ED (and previously House of Science) whanau for the last 3 years. I love making big science and technology ideas accessible and engaging through meaningful, hands-on inquiry learning. My special interest and background is the biological sciences and nature-based outdoor learning, but inspired by my daughters, I've also become a very keen learner of technology and robotics. In my spare time I love music, art and gardening. I am enjoying seeing all these things come together in our STEAM focussed programmes.

Educator/Teaching Assistant

Jason Edgecombe

Having grown up in Canada, I have now lived in New Zealand for over a decade. I have three children who I enjoy spending time with. I also do Medieval re-enactment, play video games, and make things (leather work, 3D printing, laser cutting etc). I have worked as a peer mentor for young people with neurodiversity, having diagnoses of ASD, ADHD and Dyspraxia myself. Growing up in Canada with a strong science curriculum, I have learnt the importance of STEAM and fell in love with these areas watching the Magic School Bus and reading dinosaur magazines. My passions often sit where STEAM meets people - robotics, psychology and history in particular. I have a love of learning, exploring the world, and finding new connections. As Einstein once said, "I am only passionately curious", and I take this approach to working with people of all ages and abilities.

Educator/Teaching Assistant

Jane Kasmara

My journey began in Jakarta, Indonesia, where education was deeply instilled in children as the highest priority. Fast forward 20 years, I’ve gone from not knowing English to speaking it fluently as my second language. I hold a Bachelor’s degree with Honours in Electronics and Electrical Engineering from the University of Auckland, and I recently completed postgraduate study in Artificial Intelligence at the University of Waikato. With eight years of work experience across a range of sectors, I’ve now come full circle where I like to bring my skills and passion into the education space. Outside the classroom, you’ll often find me ocean swimming or learning tennis. These two side hobbies challenge me physically and mentally while connecting me to nature. One quote I live by is, “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication, and art is never finished—only abandoned.” It reflects my approach to both life and learning. Having worked with children, I believe every learner is unique and diverse. I’m passionate about nurturing their interests and thinking at their own pace, helping them grow into confident, lifelong explorers.

Teaching Assistant

Josephine Glover

Hello, I'm Josephine, originally from the UK and happily settled in Tauranga with two wonderful Kiwi kids. As a registered teacher I've worked in Primary and Intermediate schools teaching Resource Sustainability, and before that worked with adults and children who think and learn in different ways. I love to connect the dots with students and help them understand how our ideas can make a difference right now, and in the future. STEAM lessons are fantastic as they combine subjects organically. Let's embark on a journey of discovery, exploration and endless possibilities!