In the Gipson Commons Chapter Space at St Michael’s—just metres from the Robotics Lab where he once spent countless hours tinkering with code—Yuma Soerianto reflects on a journey that began not with brilliance, but with struggle.
‘Before I even started programming, when I was in Prep, I was pretty bad at computers,’ Yuma says with a smile. ‘Everyone could use Microsoft Word. I just could not.’
It’s a disarming admission from someone who, by age six, was teaching himself to code. By seven, he had launched his first website. And by nine, frustrated by the lack of coding schools willing to accept someone his age, he started a YouTube channel—Anyone Can Code—to help others learn what he had taught himself.
A mind for making
Yuma’s early ventures into programming weren’t just about learning—they were about sharing knowledge. The Anyone Can Code channel was born out of personal experience.
‘Coding schools would turn me away, all saying, “Come back when you’re 15”,’ he explains. ‘So I turned to online tutorials and websites to learn what I could.’
Launched at age nine, the channel now has over 16,000 subscribers and offers tutorials on everything from basic programming languages to emerging technologies.
‘You never really understand something unless you’re able to teach it,’ he says. ‘Preparing tutorials makes me stop and think—how does this library work? How does this app actually function?’
Anyone Can Code is more than a name—it’s a belief that underpins Yuma’s commitment to equity in technology. That same philosophy is at the heart of his most recent venture: Ro/Box.
-
Screenshot taken from Yuma's Anyone Can Code YouTube channel. -
Screenshot taken from Yuma's Anyone Can Code YouTube channel.
Ro/Box: a toolkit for equity
Co-founded with fellow students Ashton Doughty (OM 2024) and Sebastien Taylor (OM 2023), Ro/Box is a robotics initiative designed to make STEM education more accessible.
‘We were lucky to have access to great resources at St Michael’s,’ Yuma says. ‘But some schools can’t afford robotics kits or dedicated programs. Ro/Box is about helping close that gap.’
Ro/Box kits are built using low-cost components and laser-cut plywood, allowing students to explore robotics using real-world tools. The team sources parts directly from suppliers to keep costs low. All proceeds are reinvested into expanding access—none are kept as profit.
‘It’s not about profit,’ Yuma explains. ‘It’s about providing a blank canvas for students to explore real-world robotics—using actual components, pins and wiring.’
The project aims to eventually distribute kits to schools in underfunded or developing regions, supporting students who may not otherwise have the opportunity to engage with STEM subjects.
The team has been developing resources to help integrate Ro/Box into the classroom, such as assembly guides, interactive programming lessons, and curriculums. They have also created a beginner-friendly coding platform, designed to help students take their first steps into programming.
We're just starting our journey in making robotics affordable, so receiving feedback and support from students, teachers, and the wider community has been incredibly helpful for us to grow and create the best possible learning experience.Yuma Soerianto
Enterprising Futures: inspiring the next generation
In early May, St Michael’s welcomed back Yuma for a special visit ahead of his departure to Stanford University. Treated like a superstar by students, his return was a highlight—especially for Year 6 students engaged in the Enterprising Futures Signature Program.
In a conversation with Head of the School, Gerard Houlihan, Yuma shared insights into his entrepreneurial journey, his passion for making technology more accessible, and the story behind Ro/Box.
He later demonstrated the Ro/Box kit in a Year 8 Digital Technologies class and joined a casual lunch with the Robotics Club, where he spoke with students interested in app development and coding.
A community that nurtures
Despite his international achievements, Yuma remains grounded and grateful to the people and community who supported him.
‘If I’m making an app, [my parents] are going to support it. If there’s anything I need, they’ll find a way to help.’
He also speaks warmly of his time at St Michael’s:
‘St Michael’s has always pushed me to try new things and do my best, and that’s all I can ask for.’
‘The School facilities, including the Design Technology area and its staff, have always been a highlight for me. They enabled me to further develop my technical skills, whether in Systems Engineering or robotics projects.’
‘I’ve had the pleasure of being involved in the Robotics Club. It’s been great to both push myself technically and help others out, which helped me consolidate my knowledge of electronics and STEM.’
In May 2024, he co-presented at the Integrating AI in Education Conference with student Hannah (12B in 2025) and Director of Learning Technologies and ICT, Matt Heinrich. Their session, ‘Co-design to inform the use of AI in teaching, learning and caring’, highlighted the importance of student voice in shaping inclusive and ethical AI frameworks.
Yuma perfectly shows how our students are at the heart of our exploration and decision-making regarding the use of technologies for teaching, learning and caring at our School.
Looking ahead
Yuma is preparing to begin a four-year undergraduate degree at Stanford University, where he plans to major in computer science, with a possible double major or minor in business.
‘I chose Stanford partly because it’s close to the tech companies I really admire,’ he says.
He hopes to continue his freelance app development work and secure an internship at Apple. Long term, he dreams of starting his own company and contributing to the next wave of socially responsible technology.
‘We just need to make sure AI is used in a way that’s good,’ he says. ‘Because, like anything, it can be used in good ways and bad ways.’
With an ATAR of 99.1, Yuma’s academic excellence reflects the same drive and curiosity that have defined his journey so far. But for him, success is about more than just scores.
‘Make the most of your final year at St Michael’s – embrace every opportunity that comes your way, and take pride in giving it your very best.’
