Science belongs
to every child.
MyScience is an Australian primary science education program connecting primary schools with secondary student mentors and STEM professionals. We embed a practical, research-informed model for inquiry and investigation as part of everyday classroom practice.
We believe every child deserves to experience real science — and that starts with confident, capable teachers. We are growing nationally, because every child, in every community, deserves to see themselves as a scientist.
"Real science, real investigations, real learning — that's the standard we hold ourselves to in every classroom, every year."
Anne Forbes, CEO · MyScienceThe people behind the program.
MyScience is led by an experienced board and supported by an advisory board of educators, scientists and innovators who share a commitment to equity and excellence in science education.
Anne Forbes
CEO
Anne has led MyScience from its earliest pilot programs to a scalable hub-based model connecting primary schools, scientists, and student mentors across NSW. She brings deep expertise in science education, teacher professional development, and curriculum design — all grounded in her own published research and decades of classroom experience.
Her work bridges education research and everyday classroom practice, ensuring MyScience remains both evidence-based and genuinely inspiring for teachers and students. She is passionate about equity in science education and committed to building a program that makes real science accessible to every child.
Bettina Cutler
Board Member
Bettina is a strategic leader with extensive experience across STEM education, technology, workforce development, and public-private partnerships. She was a key figure in establishing the original MyScience partnership between IBM, the NSW Department of Education, and the University of Sydney — a collaboration recognised with a BHERT Award for Education.
Bettina brings deep expertise in cross-sector collaboration and scaling innovative programs — from AI curriculum frameworks for schools to the NSW Government's Cyber Industry Experience program. She ensures the governance and partnerships that underpin MyScience are robust, practical, and built to last.
Kim Tsolakis
Board Member
Kim is a respected education leader with extensive experience in school leadership, teacher professional standards, and system-wide reform across both state and independent sectors. He served as CEO of the Professional Teachers' Council NSW and, at the national level, of the Australian Professional Teachers Association — building strong partnerships with government, universities, and professional associations across both roles.
Kim brings to MyScience deep knowledge of teacher accreditation, professional standards, and strategic collaboration. His experience ensures that teacher professional growth remains central to the program's impact and long-term development.
Expertise across science, education & innovation.
Matthew Burley
Matthew brings deep experience at the intersection of science, technology, education, and commercialisation. He has held executive and board roles across energy transition, AI-enabled education technology, and the translation of university and CSIRO research into real-world solutions. Matthew contributes expertise in innovation, industry connection, and ensuring students and teachers engage with authentic science linked to future skills and real-world challenges.
Eric Jamieson
Eric is an experienced education leader whose career spans school, system, and international contexts. He has led large-scale reform including as Director, High Performance with the NSW Department of Education, and as Principal of Plumpton High School. Eric brings strong system-level insight and a clear understanding of how innovative programs can be implemented and sustained in real school settings.
Gerry McCloughan
Gerry is a co-founder of the MyScience educational model and has been instrumental in its design and implementation across NSW Department of Education schools. His career has spanned school performance, educational measurement, and K-12 science curriculum reform. Gerry brings deep expertise in curriculum, assessment, and evaluation — ensuring the program remains effective, scalable, and aligned with real school priorities.
Philippa Miller
Philippa is an educator and teaching and learning specialist with an international career spanning New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and Australia. She coordinates the STANSW Young Scientist Steering Committee and was awarded the 2015 BHP Billiton Science and Engineering Teacher Award. She brings to MyScience a passion for empowering teachers, fostering student curiosity, and building professional communities that genuinely improve learning outcomes.
Tim Parsons
Tim is a 30-year veteran of technology and strategic innovation spanning global digital transformation and the NewSpace revolution. He holds a BEng and PhD in Aerospace Engineering from Imperial College London and a BSc from the University of Sydney. Tim is currently building Australia's space sector — leading missions, coaching start-ups, and consulting to space agencies worldwide. He brings to MyScience a powerful connection to cutting-edge science and engineering.
Margaret Shepherd
Margaret is a science teaching specialist with a career spanning secondary schools, higher education, and professional learning for teachers. She has supported pre-service and in-service teachers for more than two decades and is the founder of SCIeducation. Margaret has served as President of the Australian Science Teachers Association. She brings to MyScience strong connections between classroom practice, teacher education, and professional networks.
Grounded in research.
Built for real classrooms.
Every decision we make — from curriculum design to mentor training — is informed by evidence on how children learn science best. We believe in equity: that geography, resources, or teacher confidence should never limit a child's access to genuine scientific inquiry.
Pedagogy
Research-informed inquiry learning
Equity
Every child, every community
Teachers
Confidence, structure and support
Impact
Measured, refined, scaled nationally