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A Smidge-a-Bit about...

Steven Schnell

  • From Boring, Oregon (yes, really)
  • Always loved being outside
  • Grew up going to OMSI
  • Love of Science came from Bill Nye, Mr. Wizard, catching frogs, snakes, salamanders, etc.
  • Chemistry & Electronics Kits were staples between my friends and I
  • Curioisty propelled our discoveries
  • Backyard Science Lab
  • Plans for Expansion

That's Me!

(Dressed as Bill Nye)

  • Avid Outdoor Enthusiast
  • Mountain Biking
  • Kayaking
  • Climbing
  • Backpacking
  • University of Nevada, Reno
  • Business Administration: Information Systems
  • 2014 Joined The Science Zone Board (for about a day)
  • Later found they needed a director, and pursued the position
  • Found it tied together my love of science & area of study perfectly.

'Traditions'

What we'll cover

  • Smidge-a-bit about Me for frame of Reference
  • History of The Zone
  • Organizational Structure
  • Our DNA
  • Coping Through COVID
  • Team Support Model
  • VDSF
  • WYMSI
  • ... Wild Dogs

Brief History

Joint Venture:

  • NCSD
  • City of Casper

WYSAC

Wyoming Science Adventure Center

1998

The Basics

2004

Mission

Incorporated as...

222 E. Collins Dr. Casper WY 82601

The Science Zone exists to Inspire Curiosity

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Locations

  • Top Floor of the Nic
  • Sunrise Shopping Center
  • Mossholders Furniture Basement (Slumberland)
  • Old Plains Furniture Building (Safeway)

Organizational Structure

Exhibits

~10,000 sq feet of exhibit space

  • 501(c)3 Non-Profit
  • Driven by community need based on organizational Mission, not chiefly profits.
  • Governed by a Board of Directors
  • Ultimately responsible for finanical oversight, and has one employee (Executive Director)
  • Funding Model
  • Contributed Income
  • Grants, Foundations, Sponsorships, Donations
  • Earned Income
  • Programs (Camps, Homeschool, Field Trips, etc.)
  • Gift Shop, Membership, Admission,
  • Annual Budget ~$500k-$600k
  • Fundraisers
  • Role for General Operations
  • Eggstravaganza
  • Elemental Evening
  • Virtual Science Variety Show
  • Elemental Partner Program

"Permanent"

Traveling

Want to get involved?

Education

Always looking for volunteers to help with...

Field Trips

Children, adults, inside, outside

  • Guest presentations
  • Assistant Teaching
  • Donating materials chemicals, teaching supplies, wood, paint, carpet
  • Installing exhibits
  • Fixing Plumbing
  • Building walls, installing carpet.
  • Helping with special events
  • Building Exhibits

Steven Schnell

Executive Director

The Science Zone

(307) 473-9663

steven.schnell@thesciencezone.org

Vision for the Future

Short Term Goals

  • Construction of small exhibits
  • Growing our volunteer pool
  • Enhancing the appearance of our current facility
  • Reclaimed snow fence, paint, carpet
  • Building our board of directors
  • Strengthening community partnerships

Special Events

Events help us gain exposure, help people learn where we're located, who we are, and what we do.

Fundraising events, along with grants and donations are our primary sources for funding.

Long Term Goals

Marketing & Fundraising

Events

Elemental Evening

Spring 2018

Six to Nine, PM

Ramkota, Casper

  • Continuing growth of programs
  • Middle school and high school engagement
  • State-wide reach through online programs

Yearly

  • Elemental Evening (Spring 2018)
  • Dinner and Auction
  • Trick or Treat Trail
  • Safe trick or treat event
  • ~5,000 people
  • Haunted House

Parade Float

Wyoming Fair

Art Walks

BIG GOAL:

Moving to new location

Ira Flatow

RV Giveaway

9-8-17

  • Painting
  • Book
  • Wall Mural
  • Traveling Exhibit

COVID Pivot

Daily Dose of Science

Virtual Science Variety Show

Moved Locations to cut Expenses

Our DNA

AmeriCorps

Program Spotlight

Members allow us to serve far more of our community and state!

Outreach

Community events throughout the year

5,000 - 10,000 people served

We use the outdoors as a "classroom" / teacher.

WBI Science

Slime, liquid nitrogen, rockets, and more!

Family STEAM Night

Summer Camps

Our DNA

Value Scientific Process/ Discovery/ "Ah-ha" Moments

  • Many different camps
  • Serving hundreds of kids
  • Examples...
  • Zombie Survival
  • Coding
  • Eclipse Bootcamp
  • Lego
  • Art & the Cosmic Connection
  • DIY Board Games
  • Energy of Wyoming

Informal V Formal Science Education

More Programs

Positive Association with Science to overcome the stigma of “Science is Hard or Not for me” When you’re here, “everyone’s a scientist”.

Not a Play-Place. Value Parent + Child Experinces

Grab 6 Popsicle Sticks

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Alka-seltzer Rockets

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Energy

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Steven Schnell

Executive Director

The Science Zone

(307) 473-9663

steven.schnell@thesciencezone.org

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