Say Hi to Brooke: Your 2026 IYM adventure starts here

Meet Brooke Turner, IYM’s new Programme Manager, and the woman busy dreaming up an epic 2026 IYM adventure for you.

Brooke has stepped into the role for the next year while the previous manager, Olivia, is on parental leave.

That means she’s now the one shaping both IYM programmes: the Online programme running Tuesday 7 April to Friday 10 April 2026, and the Residential programme happening Sunday 5 July to Friday 10 July 2026.

If you’re thinking about applying for either programme, Brooke wants you to know this: she’s working right now to make next year’s experience packed with chances to explore what STEMM can look like in real life.

“I think it’s an exciting opportunity for young women to get a taster of where a STEMM career can take them,” Brooke says.

She’s all about giving you a front-row seat to women who are doing cool things in science, tech, engineering, entrepreneurship, maths, and beyond.

She’s currently lining up speakers and hands-on sessions for both programmes, and while the details are still being locked in, she promises they’ll be the kind of experiences that challenge you, spark ideas, and make you think, “Wait… I could actually do this.”

Keep an eye out in January 2026 for the full programme reveal.

Brooke’s own path into STEMM started with a love of the natural world, especially water. She trained as a limnologist (that’s a scientist who studies lakes, rivers, and other inland waters) and completed a Master’s in Resource Science at the University of New England in Australia.

She says she was drawn to science because she wanted to understand why some waterways were unhealthy and what could be done to fix them.

Before IYM, Brooke worked in environmental education and youth leadership, including running programmes that helped students build confidence and explore conservation careers. So, she totally gets what it feels like to be at that stage where your future feels wide open.

Outside work, Brooke, an Australian, has lived in New Zealand for 18 years with her partner, Hugh and their 12-year-old son, Finn.

She’s a big believer in staying curious, the same way she hopes you will through IYM.  Brooke can’t wait to meet the 2026 cohort. And she sounds just as excited as you will be!!