Beyond the Beanstalk: The Story Behind the STEM Magic
Sometimes, the best ideas start with a name and no plan. One evening, sitting in the loungeroom, Jennie (one of our founders) turned to Liz (the other half of Beyond the Beanstalk) and said she had the perfect name for a business... but she wasn’t sure what the business would actually do! Liz, using her Early Years and primary education expertise, suggested they combine Jennie's knowledge of STEM with her own educational background. The idea was simple but powerful: create workshops that bring STEM to life for children through stories and interactive videos.
And so, Beyond the Beanstalk’s Storytime STEM program was born! The goal was to make complex STEM concepts accessible, engaging, and fun for kids of all ages, helping them understand the magic of science, technology, engineering, and maths.
The Mission Behind Beyond the Beanstalk
Our mission is simple: everyone, everywhere can do STEM. You don’t need fancy equipment or specialised tools to create meaningful STEM experiences. A little bit of imagination, problem-solving, and everyday household items can open up a world of possibilities. At Beyond the Beanstalk, we believe STEM should be for everyone, and we’re here to make that happen!
The Journey: Challenges and Achievements
Launching Beyond the Beanstalk wasn’t without its challenges. Covid hit just a few months after we started, but instead of letting it stop us, we used the time to create, test, and fine-tune our workshops. By the time the lockdowns were over, we had developed even more workshops than originally planned!
Another hurdle was building brand recognition. As a new business, we needed to introduce ourselves to childcare centres, schools, and after-school care services. It took perseverance, long marketing campaigns, and a lot of conversations to get noticed. But our hard work paid off. We’ve been recognised as finalists in the Australian Small Business Awards, the Local Business Awards, and the Australian Ladies in Business Awards. These accolades reflect our dedication to making STEM education fun and accessible.
What Makes Beyond the Beanstalk Unique?
We understand that educators have a lot on their plate, which is why we provide documentation after every workshop, saving them the time and effort of recording the experience themselves.
Plus, our workshops are always hands-on and exciting. Whether children create something to take home or contribute to a class project that stays with the group, everyone leaves with a tangible connection to STEM.
What’s on Offer?
We’ve got a range of offers for childcare centres, schools, and outside school hours care. From Storytime STEM workshops to hands-on Sustainable STEM projects, there’s something for every group and budget.
Check out our latest deals here: Beyond the Beanstalk Deals.
Introducing the Beyond the Beanstalk Membership Program—designed to inspire, engage, and grow with your STEM journey!
We offer three exciting tiers to suit every level of involvement:
Seedling STEM Club: Perfect for beginners, this tier provides access to monthly STEM recipes, a 5% discount on workshops, and a Beanstalk Membership Certificate to kick-start your STEM adventure.
Sprout STEM Society: For those looking to expand their STEM experience, members enjoy a 10% discount, a Beanstalk sticker, one free workshop test, and access to our exclusive online community.
Bloom STEM Collective: Our most comprehensive tier, offering 15% discounts, up to three free workshop tests, exclusive webinars, first access to new products, and much more!
No matter where you are in your STEM journey, there's a tier for you—join today and start growing your STEM potential with Beyond the Beanstalk!
The Author
Elizabeth Fitzpatrick, with over 15 years of invaluable education experience, is the co-founder of Beyond the Beanstalk. Her rich background in education, coupled with a passion for innovative learning environments propels Beyond the Beanstalk's mission of inspiring educators and students alike. With a wealth of expertise, Elizabeth is dedicated to revolutionising education and making STEM accessible for all.
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