People

Who is at OpenSTEM, and other awesome people who help us.

Arjen Lentz (Founder and Chief Explorer)

arjen-openstem-2016-04-15Arjen has been fascinated by all aspects of STEM ever since he was little. From LEGO and Fischer Technik, to building his room’s furniture and wiring up his room and fixing assorted household equipment, in the early 80s he was modifying his Acorn BBC Micro computer (designed and built for the BBC Computer Literacy Project) and creating other electronics, while learning programming at a youth club in Amsterdam and re-invigorating his high school’s computer club. As an adult, programming was his vocation for a time (specialising in data communication and embedded applications), broadened to other computer endeavours such as technical writing, training and database engineering – a good combination for business and he’s started and run his own companies for many years. With OpenSTEM he has returned to his generalist passion for STEM, education and working with children.

Dr Claire Reeler (Director, Time Travel & Cartography)

ClaireClaire wanted to be an archaeologist since the age of six, and did exactly that! With a PhD in Archaeology and particular interest in spatial analysis, GIS, and archaeological data-mining, including fuzzy logic and neural networks, she has lived her dream in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.

Claire leads the development of our Understanding Our World®integrated HASS+Science program, and the Archaeology Textbook and Ancient History resources.

In memoriam: Figaro (“Management”)

figaro-stool-fireplaceOur black cat Figaro tended to be nearby, keeping a close eye on us and ensuring we remain on task – these are not the tasks he wanted us to do (such as feed him or give him our undivided attention), however that just made him scrutinise us even more – just in case his minions got the right idea some time.  While he wasn’t sleeping, of course – because cats have a hard and busy life and need extra rest. In this role, we called Figaro “Management”.

Figaro passed away in July 2020, of natural causes, a respectable 18 1/2 years old.

Thomas Sprinkmeier (Geekology, Adelaide)

Thomas Sprinkmeier (Photo: Brett James, LCA2012)Thomas graduated from UniSA in 1992 as an Electronic Engineer where he was seduced by PC’s early in first year.

He’s worked on a variety of projects, usually with heavy mathematical, signal processing and networking components, occasionally interfacing to the ‘real world’. Most recently he has been working at making cars smarter and safer, on the assumption that this might be easier than upgrading drivers.

Some years ago Thomas started  Geekology in Adelaide, teaching about things from pulleys and paper planes to robot programming, conducting playdough to tidal locks, and lately Raspberry Pi, Arduino and 3D printing.

Peter Lock (Mathematics)

peter-lockPeter has a mathematics degree, with extra knack for puzzles, games and engaging students.

Dr Natalie Cromhout (Science, Advisor)

Natalie holds a PhD in organic chemistry, and has a strong interest in all things science.

Dr Shaun Nykvist (Advisor)

shaun-nykvistShaun is a recognised expert in Education Systems, Curriculum and Pedagogy. His transformational work focuses on the areas of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) and Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), developing and researching new approaches to the use of emerging technologies to support learning and teaching practices including web technologies and on-line communities, digital mobile devices, learning management systems, robotics, on-line frameworks, on-line assessment tools and digital media tools (video/animation and video) that support teaching and learning.

Nikolai Lusan (Systems Administration)

nikolaiNikolai is responsible for keeping our on-line infrastructure running smoothly.