Stuck on a STEM topic? Get matched with a high-school mentor.
Open STEM Help pairs middle-school students with vetted high-school volunteers who've already studied Math, Science, Coding and Robotics, so help comes from someone who remembers how it feels.
Students helping students learn STEM.
Open STEM Help is a volunteer-run platform where high-school students guide younger students through the subjects they've already mastered. Mentors are close enough in age to remember what's confusing, and experienced enough to explain it clearly.
- Help with concepts, projects and topics students find hard
- Matching by subject, availability, experience and capacity
- Verified volunteer hours for the mentors who give their time
for grade in range(6, 9): print("You can do this")Logic, Scratch, Python basics
A community of students helping students.
Always free for familiesWatch a request become a session.
Every mentor is vetted and every match is reviewed, so families know exactly who their child learns with.
Illustrative example with sample names.
Everything the mentoring workflow needs.
One platform, designed around how students and mentors actually connect.
Ask for help in a minute
Pick a grade, subject and topic, and tell us when you're free. Then track your request.
Matched on what matters
Subject fit, availability, experience and mentor capacity.
Vetted mentors only
No mentor goes live until their application is reviewed and approved.
Simple session scheduling
Confirm a time and meet online, powered by Daily.co.
Feedback after every session
Students rate sessions so quality and safety stay front and centre.
Volunteer hours, recorded and verified
Mentors log the time they give and have it verified, creating a trusted record for school and community-service requirements.
Screens are illustrative.
Mentors share knowledge. Students grow with it.
Every session moves understanding forward for both people, and the confidence stays long after it ends.
Mentor shares
Explains ideas the way they wish someone had explained them.
Student grows
Builds understanding, one concept at a time.
Students build confidence
Questions feel safe to ask when the person helping is only a few years ahead.
Mentors deepen mastery
Teaching is the best way to learn. Mentors strengthen their own skills as they help.
The circle keeps growing
Today's mentee becomes tomorrow's mentor, and the community gives back.
Whether you need help or want to give it.
Get friendly help, and stay in the loop.
- Create an account as a parent or guardian
- Submit a request with grade, subject and topic
- Track the status of every request
- Manage sessions and share feedback
Share what you know. Make a difference.
- Apply with your STEM strengths and experience
- Get reviewed and approved before you start
- Set the availability that works for you
- Log your time and get your volunteer hours verified
Built for minors, so safety comes first.
Safeguards are part of the process, not an afterthought. Here are our ground rules.
- Approved mentors onlyNobody mentors until they've been reviewed and approved by our team.
- Guardian consentA parent or guardian consents before any child takes part.
- No private channelsConversations stay inside the approved meeting process, never on social media or personal messaging.
- No personal details sharedMentors don't receive a child's contact details or address.
- No money, no giftsMentoring is free, and payments or gifts are never allowed.
- Report anytimeEmail help@openstemhelp.com. In an emergency, call your local emergency number first.
Questions families ask us.
Is Open STEM Help really free?
Yes. Mentoring is provided by volunteers and is free for students and families. Mentors may not accept payment or gifts.
Which grades and subjects do you cover?
We help students in grades 6–8 with Mathematics, Science, Coding / Computer Science and Robotics.
Who are the mentors?
High-school students who have applied, shared their STEM strengths and experience, and been approved by our team. Mentors are minors too, and are covered by our safeguarding rules.
Are sessions private chats?
Sessions follow the approved meeting process. Mentors may not move conversations to private messaging, social media or other unapproved channels. See our Child Safety policy.
Does my child need my permission?
Yes. A parent or guardian creates or consents to the account and to participation. Read the Guardian Consent notice.
How do I become a mentor?
Log in at app.openstemhelp.com and apply, sharing your STEM strengths, experience and availability. If you're under 18, a parent or guardian must consent. Read the Mentor Agreement.
What if something doesn't feel right?
Report it straight away to help@openstemhelp.com. In an emergency, contact your local emergency services first.
Can mentors earn volunteer hours?
Mentors log their time and have their hours verified, creating a trustworthy record for school and community-service requirements.
Ready to learn, or to help?
Join the Open STEM Help beta and make STEM friendlier for everyone.
We're happy to help.
Questions about the platform or becoming a mentor? Send us a note.