Innovative Young Minds

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Innovative Young Minds

Innovative Young Mind's programmes encourage young women in Years 11 and 12 to explore science, technology, engineering & mathematics opportunities.

During IYM's programmes, participants will be exposed to eye-opening and inspiring science and technology content and will learn about the wide range of research and career opportunities available in STEMM. Participants will also make lasting friendships with like-minded young women who share a passion for STEMM! IYM's programmes are only open to young women, because females are underrepresented i

n the STEMM sector and we want to change that. Our goal is to inspire a new generation of female innovators and industry leaders.

03/06/2026

As we are gearing up for our first IYM Satellite online this Friday, we thought we would look back and reflect at some of the comments from IYM Online 2026.

28/05/2026

What interest we have had for the IYM Satellite online with Affinity.

We have nearly 400 year 11 and 12 girls registered.

So, we are closing off registrations, last chance to apply is this Friday 29th May.

27/05/2026

Interested in Engineering?

Why not go along to the University of Auckland's "Engineering: Her Student Experience"

An informative evening for secondary school girls and their whānau to hear about the 10 different Engineering specialisations offered at the University of Auckland from current students.

When: June 10th 6-8pm

https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/engineering-her-student-experience-2026-tickets-1986274375125?aff=oddtdtcreator

25/05/2026

It's Tech Week which means anything is possible.

Techweek is New Zealand’s national festival of innovation — a week‑long series of events that celebrate how technology can be used to create a better world.

If you are interested in attending one of the events happening around NZ this week here is a link that shares where everything is.

https://techweek.co.nz/home

19/05/2026

In today’s digital age, the proliferation of deep fakes and AI-generated content poses a significant threat. Join ECPAT NZ to equip yourself with essential knowledge and practical strategies to combat this threat.

Follow the link below to register for the event.

https://www.ecpat.org.nz/training-events/poneke-navigating-deep-fakes-ai-safety-for-taiohi-training/

12/05/2026

At IYM we’re celebrating our 10 year milestone and to do so, we’re introducing something new and exciting. After all, we’re embedded in the STEMM sector which is renowned for innovation, so we felt it was only right and proper that we innovated too.

So, we’re really proud to introduce IYM Satellites.

ITM Satellites is a shorter (just two hours), focussed opportunity for Year 11 and 12 female students from anywhere in the country to connect with industries, sectors, and businesses that are big in the STEMM space.

We already have our week-long Online and Residential programmes – our Satellite series is a one day online workshop that gives these women a first hand feel for what a career in STEMM could look like.

Participants get real-time exposure to companies and businesses on the front line – a great learning experience for them.

For our inaugural Online Satellite we partnering with Affinity Medical Imaging. It will give our young women a glimpse behind the scenes into what a career in radiology entails.

This will include a virtual tour of Affinity Medical Imaging, a discussion with a panel of Medical Imaging Technologists, Radiologists and Sonographers, and an interactive activity.

Bart Pepper, Affinity’s General Manager, is looking forward to supporting this first Satellite. He says he’s keen to be contributing to inspiring the next generation of radiographers and radiologists.

And we’re keen to work with Affinity. Thank you very much for your generous support.

The IYM Affinity Satellite will be held Friday 5 June 2026 at 4.30pm. Registrations are open at https://www.iym.org.nz/copy-of-iym-satellite.

29/04/2026

We’re incredibly grateful to the Spark Foundation for their support of Innovative Young Minds' (IYM) Online programme, especially their interest in ‘digital wellness’, which led us to include a special session on that subject.

IYM Online introduces Year 11 and 12 female students from all over New Zealand and the Pacific to the wide range of research and career opportunities available in STEMM through IYM’s engaging and interactive programme.

The programme is delivered entirely online via Zoom and Google Classroom over four weekday sessions. Students got to see inside a range of STEMM organisations and hear from women who have built careers and businesses in the STEMM sector, all from their own home!

The backing of the Spark Foundation helps us continue opening doors for young women to explore the opportunities within STEMM and build confidence in their future pathways.

Thank you to the Spark Foundation for being part of this journey with us. Your support is making a real difference.

27/04/2026

A sincere thank you to the Gattung Foundation for supporting Innovative Young Minds' (IYM) Online programme.

Through IYM Online, Year 11 and 12 young women from across New Zealand and the Pacific are given the opportunity to explore the breadth of STEMM careers and hear directly from those working at the forefront of the sector.

By bringing these experiences into a fully accessible online format, the programme helps students engage with new ideas, expand their ambitions, and see what’s possible for their future.

We’re grateful to the Gattung Foundation for helping make these opportunities available. Your support is helping shape the next generation of women in STEMM.

24/04/2026

Over the school holidays, 100 young women from across Aotearoa engaged with leading voices in STEMM, exploring new ideas, building confidence, and gaining real insight into future pathways.

The Rio Tinto Innovation Challenge was a particular hit. Says: Rio Tinto’s Specialist Process Engineer, Carbon, Egerton: "It has been fantastic working with IYM on this challenge. I was utterly blown away by the ideas and how the students used their innovative thinking to solve some of our issues on site"

To our participants: thank you for your curiosity, your energy, and your willingness to step forward and explore what’s possible.

You are the reason this programme exists, and the future is brighter because of you.

To our outstanding speakers and IYM alumnae: thank you for sharing your time, your stories and your expertise so generously. The impact you’ve had this week cannot be overstated.

And to our valued programme funders - Rio Tinto, , Gattung Foundation, IRANZ - International Rugby Academy of New Zealand and Foundation - thank you for making this programme possible.

Your support is helping to grow the next generation of female talent in STEMM here in Aotearoa.

Address

Lower Hutt
5011

Telephone

+64223090398

Website

http://www.iym.org.nz/

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