About Us

About the Sciencenter

The Sciencenter, a non-profit hands-on science museum in Ithaca, New York, grew out of a volunteer-run science program at a local elementary school. Founded in 1983, the Sciencenter operated from storefronts for nearly a decade. In 1993, the museum opened the first phase of its permanent home. Phase II opened in 1996 and provided additional program space. Phase III, which opened in 2003, expanded the Sciencenter to 32,000 sq. ft. During the decade from 1992-2002, 3,400 volunteers donated 50,000 hours of time to construct the Sciencenter. In 2010, the Sciencenter acquired an additional 8,000 sq. ft. building to support its growing traveling exhibition program.

Today, the Sciencenter is a nationally recognized museum, hosting 100,000 guests in Ithaca each year and reaching over 1.5 million guests worldwide through our traveling exhibitions and outreach programs.

The Sciencenter is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM) and is a member of the Association of Science-Technology Centers (ASTC) and Association of Children’s Museums (ACM).

Sciencenter mission: Cultivate a broad community of curious, confident, critical thinkers.
Sciencenter vision: A world where people explore, connect, and create through science.

Download our complete history overview

Download our Strategic Framework

NIH Financial Conflict of Interest Policy

The Sciencenter staff is available to help make your visit a pleasant experience and we look forward to speaking with you.


Sciencenter Staff

Name/Email Title Ext.
Alexis Alexander
aalexander@sciencenter.org
Alexis Alexander Development and Communications Coordinator x118
Emily Belle
ebelle@sciencenter.org
Emily Belle Education Program Coordinator, Animal Keeper x147
Sierra Coathup
scoathup@sciencenter.org
Sierra Coathup Volunteer Program Manager x149
Gabi Cohen
gcohen@sciencenter.org
Gabi Cohen Museum Greeter x121
Kira Elmore
kelmore@sciencenter.org
Kira Elmore Finance Associate x117
Chris Fagan
cfagan@sciencenter.org
Chris Fagan CFO and VP of Administration x130
Patricia Flery
pflery@sciencenter.org
Patricia Flery Museum Greeter x121
Lucas Fredericks
lfredericks@sciencenter.org
Lucas Fredericks Exhibit Fabricator x146
Caroline Frigon
cfrigon@sciencenter.org
Caroline Frigon Education Program Coordinator x148
Lauren Garnese
lgarnese@sciencenter.org
Lauren Garnese Director of Development & Communications x133
Annie Gordon
agordon@sciencenter.org
Annie Gordon Education Program Coordinator x123
Ali Jackson
ajackson@sciencenter.org
Ali Jackson Director of Programs & Partnerships x144
Michelle Kortenaar
mkortenaar@sciencenter.org
Michelle Kortenaar Executive Director (Bio) x124
Kathy Krafft
kkrafft@sciencenter.org
Kathy Krafft Exhibit Fabricator x125
Kethry Larsen
klarsen@sciencenter.org
Kethry Larsen Museum Greeter x121
Peter Leipzig
pLeipzig@sciencenter.org
Peter Leipzig Education Program Coordinator x145
Colin Meeks
cmeeks@sciencenter.org
Colin Meeks Curator of Live Exhibits x132
Mike Napierski
mnapierski@sciencenter.org
Mike Napierski Facilities Manager x142
Lance Nichols
lnichols@sciencenter.org
Lance Nichols Traveling Exhibitions Support Coordinator x137
Ryan Opila
ropila@sciencenter.org
Ryan Opila Grants Manager x111
Sandy Pedersen
animalkeeper@sciencenter.org
Sandy Pedersen Animal Keeper n/a
Julian Pompilio
jpompilio@sciencenter.org
Julian Pompilio Exhibit Fabricator x143
Adrienne Testa
atesta@sciencenter.org
Adrienne Testa Director of Exhibits & Facilities x135
Cori Thompson
cthompson@sciencenter.org
Cori Thompson Director of Guest Relations x116
Cydney Wixon
cwixon@sciencenter.org
Cydney Wixon Marketing & Communications Manager x115

Sciencenter Board of Trustees

  • Shawn Wilczynski, Chair
  • Eric Rosario, Vice Chair
  • Mickie Sanders-Jauquet, Secretary
  • Jason Sanford, Treasurer
  • Laurie Robinson, Past Chair
  • Brian Bauer
  • John Birmingham
  • Michael Britt
  • Chantal Champagne
  • George Gull
  • Seth T. Hiland
  • Andrea Ippolito
  • Carrie Jubran
  • Costa Lambrou
  • Ed Malone
  • Sunny Miller
  • Mary Opperman
  • Daisy Rosas Vargas
  • Jessica Schaber
  • Eric Toftegaard
  • Qi Zhang
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Get Involved Press Resources
Sciencenter
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Find us

Sciencenter 601 1st Street Ithaca, NY 14850
Google map directions

Contact us

Museum & Store Hours

  • Tuesday, 10 am - 5 pm
  • Wednesday, 10 am - 5 pm
  • Thursday, 10 am - 5 pm
  • Friday, 10 am - 5 pm
  • Saturday, 10 am - 5 pm
  • Sunday, 10 am - 5 pm

Website by Bells Design