Picture Yourself Here!

Carrie Shearer

Carrie wants to change perceptions. "When I was young, I was told science was too hard for girls; it was the purview of boys. In our Science Night outreach program, we give children the opportunity to see science as fun and interesting. By having activities for children of all ages, we offer a family function where everyone can enjoy themselves and learn something."

Walter Gates

A retired chemical engineer with an interest in nature, Walter volunteers at the Touch Tank, where he explains the natural history of marine invertebrates. He enjoys the look of wonder on hesitant children's faces when they first touch a live animal in the tank. "It's an exhibit where children can learn to be careful with something that's alive."

Ayana Richardson

A frequent visitor as a child, teenaged Ayana often took her younger brother here when she was minding him. "It was fun for me, even though I wasn't going to do science for a living." As an adult, Ayana enjoys giving back through her service as a trustee and sees the Sciencenter as an integral part of the community. "Even the way it's shaped and the floor plan are conducive to meeting people and engaging them in science."

Hannah Widercrantz

Hannah, age 14, helps care for the animals in the Saltonstall Animal Room. She started helping behind-the-scenes two years ago, but these days she confidently responds to visitor questions and helps guide their interactions with corn snakes, hissing cockroaches, and the marine animals in the touch tank. Her mom, Sarah, also a Sciencenter volunteer, loves that Hannah is mentored by the Sciencenter staff. Last summer, Hannah ventured beyond the Animal Room to gain experience as a Sciencenter Summer Camp Counselor-in-Training (CIT). "I enjoy being at the Sciencenter. It's cool to see how things work behind the scenes, and to help visitors. But mostly, it's just fun."

Parvina Duez

Parvina enjoys engaging with children. "It's rewarding. I like showing them science activities and watching them in the Discovery Space, because they're so enthusiastic." She also sees the Sciencenter's impact on the community through the eyes of its children participating in the afterschool program, where the Sciencenter brings science activities to elementary schools.

Ryan Saul

Like most 13-year-olds, Ryan's life is in transition. At the Sciencenter, he's a cross between a camper and a counselor. The Sciencenter builds upon his natural interest in science. "At the Sciencenter, we actually build stuff like rubber band cars. You don't get these hands-on activities at school and I like doing stuff. I like touching things. There's a big variety of stuff here."

Joyce Putnam

Joyce has enjoyed chairing the Egg Drop for the last four years because it's an activity that engages the entire community. "It's free, which means anyone can participate. You have to put effort into thinking about your entry. Entire classrooms, groups, or individuals can participate." Many of the volunteers come from Cornell and IC; it's a way to "connect people from campus to the community."