From participant to leader: Evie Boyd’s IYM journey

At just 22, Evie Boyd represents exactly what Innovative Young Minds (IYM), set out to achieve.

An alumna of the 2017 Online programme, Evie has come full circle in 2026, returning not only as an MC for this year’s Online programme, but also as a mentor in the Rio Tinto Innovation Challenge.

It’s a role she embraces with enthusiasm, inspired by the next generation coming through.

“The girls have more ideas than they need,” she laughs, talking about the girls’ response to the Challenge set for them.

“Some groups have come up with three different solutions to a single problem. It’s been amazing to see their creativity and engagement.”

Originally from Christchurch, Evie is now training to become a secondary school science and maths teacher, with the goal of inspiring others the way she was inspired. Her academic journey reflects both depth and curiosity, completing a double major in mathematics and chemistry at the University of Canterbury, followed by a postgraduate diploma in science communication through the University of Otago.

But her path into STEMM wasn’t always straightforward.

“I wasn’t very good at maths at first,” she says. It was a move to a small rural primary school — with just 40 students — that changed everything for her.

The environment allowed her to build confidence, catch up, and eventually excel. By high school, she was accelerating through maths and even studying university-level papers in her final year.

For Evie, maths is more than numbers. It’s “a shared language”, one that connects people across disciplines and opens doors to countless opportunities.

That belief has shaped her passion for teaching and her commitment to making STEMM more accessible.

“I’ve always enjoyed helping others who find maths a bit intimidating,” she says. “That’s really what led me into teaching.”

Her message to young women considering STEMM is simple but powerful: follow what you enjoy, stay curious, and embrace the process of learning, even when it’s challenging.

Because, as Evie puts it, “STEMM isn’t just about subjects, it’s about people.”

It’s great to see Evie maintain her association with IYM, especially as the organisation celebrates it’s 10^th anniversary this year.  Thanks for your ongoing support, Evie.