Last updated: October 15, 2026
1. The Service
OpenSTEM Help is a free, volunteer-run platform that connects middle-school students (grades 6–8) with approved high-school student mentors for peer help in Mathematics, Science, Coding/Computer Science and Robotics. It is not a school, a licensed tutoring business or a childcare service, and mentors are volunteers, not professional educators.
2. Eligibility and accounts
- Students (grades 6–8) may use the Service only with the knowledge and consent of a parent or guardian, who is responsible for the child's account.
- Mentors must be currently enrolled in high school, apply, and be approved by our team. If under 18, a parent or guardian must consent to their participation.
- You must provide accurate information and keep your login details secure. One person, one account.
3. Approval and matching
We may approve, decline, suspend or remove any mentor or request at our discretion. Matches are suggested using subject, availability, experience and capacity, and take effect only when approved by our team. We do not guarantee any particular match, availability, or learning outcome.
4. Acceptable use
All users must follow our Code of Conduct and Child Safety Policy. You must not:
- Harass, bully, threaten, or discriminate against anyone
- Share inappropriate, sexual, violent or illegal content
- Request or share personal contact details, or move conversations to unapproved channels
- Impersonate another person or misstate age or eligibility
- Record, screenshot or distribute sessions without written permission
- Attempt to disrupt, scrape, or gain unauthorised access to the Service
- Use the Service for paid tutoring, advertising or solicitation
5. No payment
The Service is free. Mentors must not request or accept money, gifts or favours from students or families. Families must not offer them.
6. Volunteer hours
Mentors may log volunteer hours for sessions they deliver. Hours are verified by our team and may be declined if records are inaccurate or incomplete. Verification is not a certification of qualifications.
7. Content and feedback
You keep ownership of content you submit but grant us a limited licence to host and use it to operate the Service. Feedback and requests may be reviewed by our team. We may remove content that breaches these terms.
8. Safety and reporting
We may monitor, review and act on activity to protect children, and may share information with parents, guardians, schools or authorities where we believe a person may be at risk. Please report concerns to [email protected].
9. Suspension and termination
We may suspend or end access immediately for breaches of these terms or safety concerns. You may close your account at any time by contacting us; guardians may do so on behalf of a child.
10. Disclaimers and liability
The Service is provided "as is" during this beta. Mentoring is peer guidance and not professional or academic advice. To the extent permitted by law, we are not liable for indirect or consequential losses, and nothing in these terms limits liability that cannot be limited by law. Parents and guardians remain responsible for supervising their child's participation.
11. Changes and governing law
We may update these terms and will notify users of material changes. These terms are governed by the laws of [JURISDICTION — to be completed by the organisation].
12. Contact
Questions: [email protected].