My Story - Ethan J, Founder

My passion for science began at an early age, sparked by curiosity about the world around me and nurtured through my years at a blue ribbon elementary STEM school in the United States. Those formative years instilled in me not just a love for scientific discovery, but an understanding of how powerful hands-on learning can be in igniting young minds.

When I returned to Australia for high school, I carried that passion with me. One year, I was selected to represent my school at a local science fair day - an opportunity that would change the trajectory of my life. My mission that day was to teach young children about science and I chose to run an experiment that I knew would captivate them: extracting DNA from their own saliva samples.

The Moment Everything Changed

Watching those bright, eager faces as they discovered the building blocks of life in their own samples was nothing short of magical. These children, from various primary schools across our community, shared my love for science. Their questions were endless, their enthusiasm infectious, and their hunger for knowledge undeniable.

But as I spoke with these young scientists and their teachers, a sobering reality became clear: many of their primary schools lacked the resources and materials needed to nurture their scientific curiosity effectively. The very tools that had sparked my own love for STEM were simply not available to them.

A Father's Challenge

When I shared this revelation with my dad, explaining how these wonderful young minds were being held back by resource limitations, his response was simple: "Don't just complain - do something about it."

That challenge became the catalyst for The STEAM Education Network Inc. I decided to establish this foundation with a clear mission: to raise funds for the purchase of STEAM-related educational materials and equipment for local primary schools, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to explore, discover, and fall in love with science.

Combining Passions

To make this vision a reality, I knew I needed to leverage all my skills and passions. Alongside my love for science, I've developed a deep passion for photography and travel. My camera has taken me on incredible journeys, capturing the world through various lenses.

I love night-scape photography, where I chase that perfect shot in neonlit streets under and capture the magic that emerges when the world slows down. My action photography freezes moments of pure energy and movement, while my aerial work provides perspectives that reveal the beautiful patterns and designs of our world from above. I'm also drawn to natural life photography, finding stories in wildlife and landscapes that speak to our connection with the environment.

My portfolio also includes still life compositions that find beauty in the everyday, liminal photography that captures those mysterious in-between spaces and moments, and mechanical photography that celebrates the engineering marvels around us. Through artistic and symbolic photography, I explore deeper meanings and emotions, while my travel photography documents the diverse cultures and breathtaking locations I've been fortunate to experience.

Photography for Good

Each photograph I take represents more than just a captured moment. It's a potential contribution to scientific education. Through exhibitions, online platforms, commissions, and print sales, my photography becomes a vehicle for funding STEAM education resources. Every image sold means more microscopes for curious minds, more experiment kits for budding scientists, and more opportunities for children to experience the wonder I felt in that elementary STEM classroom years ago.

Our Mission Forward

The STEAM Education Network Inc. exists because I believe every child deserves the chance to run experiments to extract DNA, to look through a microscope and gasp at what they see, to build their first robot, or to conduct their first chemistry experiment safely and effectively. We're not just providing equipment…we're providing possibilities.

When you support our foundation, whether through purchasing photography, making a donation, or spreading awareness, you're investing in the next generation of scientists, engineers, artists, and innovators. You're ensuring that a child's post code or school budget doesn't determine their access to quality STEAM education.

Together, we're building a future where every young mind has the tools they need to explore, discover, and change the world.