Meet Our Instructors

Daniel Adamson is a student in mechanical engineering at the University of Minnesota. He comes to teaching with experience in 3D and electromechanical design, is ASE certified in auto repair and a performance rally driver. Dan's hobbies include mountain biking and playing percussion instruments.

Stephanie Alden received her undergraduate degree from Carleton College where she majored in music and premed. She received her master's in education and her teaching license from the University of Minnesota. Stephanie has over 13 years teaching experience. She has taught physical science, biology and interdisciplinary science in diverse settings, from public schools to international schools as well as being a naturalist at residential environmental education centers.

Peter Anderson has a master's degree in education. He teaches health, physical science, forensic science, physics, and chemistry. Originally from Tulsa, Oklahoma, Peter attended the University of St. Thomas and the University of Minnesota. During this time he held many jobs including: bench-top chemist, procedure validator, quality analysis technician, student researcher, kitchen worker, gas station clerk, laboratory technician, summer camp counselor, stockroom assistant, kickball umpire, and professional tutor. He tutored throughout this time and then finally decided to be a science teacher. His life has been rich and the best is yet to come. He enjoys the freedom and challenge of working at MSSPA.

Adele Binning was an exhibit developer for the museum for 20 years. She has an MA in biology from the University of Texas and has nearly completed her Master of Arts in Teaching from Hamline University. She plans to teach science in the public schools.

Amy Blaubach was a practicing geochemist in Yellowstone National Park when she found a passion for teaching. She has an AA in resource management, a BS in geology and chemistry, and a BA in earth-space science education. Amy joined the museum in 2004. Amy enjoys spending her free time outdoors with her husband and children.

Megan Blazek graduated from the University of Minnesota-Duluth with a B.S. in secondary biology education and an Educational Computing and Technology Certificate. She has taught in New Zealand and is a high school life science teacher.

Keith Braafladt is the Director and LTC Instructor. A graduate of the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, Keith leads classes and workshops at the museum, in schools and in local and national libraries. He works with a team of creative staff who develop, design and integrate science content and learning into workshops, classes and online media that combine science, art and technology.

Jane Snell Copes is a teacher, chemist and writer. Other disguises include gardener, swimmer, mom, and Habitat for Humanity carpenter. She owns a tiny business called Science Outside the Box, which offers science fun for kids and families. Jane has fun with science every single day. www.scienceoutsidethebox.com.

Kathy Cork teaches archaeology and paleontology classes at the Science Museum including fossil field trips for families. She loves paleoanthropology, has a degree in anthropology and has been with the museum since 1983.

Lydia Davitt graduated from Gustavus College in 2008 earning a degree in biology. She spent six months in India studying a lovely little plant called Tumeric. Lydia is a Red Cross certified lifegaurd and swim instructor. She currently works as a special education assistant at Harrison School in north Minneapolis.In her free time Lydia loves to run, bike, swim and compete in triathlons.

Jodi Dempsey is an elementary science specialist in the Burnsville School District and has taught for Mad Science programs. She has been teaching camps and classes for the Science Museum of Minnesota since 2004. Jodi attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison and received her teaching license from Hamline University. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, camping, canoeing and traveling to warm places.

Pat Dougherty is a writer and musician. He received his B.A. from McNally Smith College of Music. Working primarily with the Second-Hand Opera Artist Collective, Dougherty's music has been sold internationally, and his writings can be seen frequently on the City Pages music blog, Gimme Noise.

Jan Elftmann is an artist and a long-time teacher for the Science Museum. She teaches carpentry, space and design classes throughout the year. She also does Artists-in-Education Program for the Minnesota State Arts Board. Jan is the founder and curator of the ArtCar Parade, the fourth Saturday in July, and can be seen around town driving her famous Cork Truck (www.corktruck.com).

Lizzie Forshee came to the museum in 2002. She teaches at Laura Jeffrey Academy during the academic year. Lizzie has a passion for working with students who love to explore and unfold new discoveries.

Julita (Lita) Friesen has been working with children in a variety of educational settings for the past 26 years, and currently works in a school setting as a part-time K-5 enrichment coordinator. She has a bachelor's degree in elementary education and teaching licenses for grades 1-6 and 5-8 general science. She has worked at the museum for 14 years. She has also worked as a preschool teacher, and a naturalist at the Minnesota Zoo. When not teaching, she enjoys being with her family, hiking, biking, skiing and reading.

Patty Gavin teaches middle school science for the Faribault school district.

Jim Gerholdt has been working with reptiles and amphibians for over 40 years and teaching classes at the museum since 1986. He uses artifacts, live animals and slides to illustrate behaviors and the natural history of his subjects. Jim is an accomplished photographer and author of children's books on reptiles, amphibians and insects.

Janet Groenert is the Science and Technology Programs Manager and LTC Instructor. She has developed and taught youth classes integrating art and science. She is an artist who works with familiar materials in unusual contexts, participating in the Art Shanty Project for three winters. Janet is currently learning about electronics and programming. She has a BFA from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design.

Dan Haeg is a Youth Crew Manager working with the Invention Crew in the Kitty Andersen Youth Science Center & Instructor.

Brandi Hansmeyer is a science teacher for the Lakeville school district. Besides teaching earth science, she has completed her masters degree in teaching and learning from Saint Mary's University of Minnesota. She is a volunteer outdoor camping trainer for the Girl Scouts. Brandi has taught earth science and other fun programs for the museum since 1997.

Mandy Hathaway is a freelance photographer, lifelong lover of technology, human rights advocate, and busy mother of two. In addition to teaching classes for the Science Museum, she works full-time as a technology center manager and employment coordinator at the Oak Park Community Center in North Minneapolis. She and her fiancé live in Saint Paul where she enjoys taking photographs, fixing computers and other electronics, gardening, hiking and travel. She is always working to find ways to continue to merge her passions for technology and helping individuals-in-need achieve their life goals.

Peter Hoh has been taking things apart since he was a small child. Sometimes, he even manages to put things back together. An avid gardener, his other interests include photography, design, and LEGO. He's been active in a neighborhood art initiative, Paint The Pavement, which is painting residential intersections in St. Paul. Peter has been teaching classes at the Science Museum since 1995. Before that, he was a fourth-grade teacher in Pennsylvania, where he developed a hands-on science curriculum.

Donna Homan has taught at the Science Museum since 1993. She has a Ph.D. in chemical engineering and she loves to teach chemistry and physics classes. She currently works for District 196 schools as a technology support assistant and as a coach of a LEGOLeague team.

Philip Hutcheson earned a BS in chemistry from the University of Minnesota and is entering a master of education program at Hamline this summer. This is his first summer teaching at the museum.

Mardis Johnson is pursuing early childhood education at Rasmussen college. He is well versed in the programming languages of Microworlds, Scratch, and 3D Design. He has been teaching at the museum since 2000.

Peter Kirschman is a LTC Program Specialist, a Youth Crew Manager working with the Cell Lab Crew in the Kitty Andersen Youth Science Center and LTC Instructor. He has a BA in Media & Cultural Studies and American Studies from Macalester College. He is interested in independent media production, and finding new ways to tell stories and build community through media.

Susan Kocher has a master's degree in science education and environmental education. She has presented Starlab programs, was a naturalist at Wood Lake Nature Center, and taught at museums, zoos and the Marine Science Institute in the San Francisco Bay Area. She is fluent in German and also teaches at the German Immersion School.

Jill Bries Korpik has been teaching for the museum since 2002 focusing on geology, and paleontology. She is a geology instructor at Inver Hills Community College.

Julia Kouneski is an artist with a bachelor of fine arts degree from the University of Minnesota. Her work has most recently been exhibited at the Minnesota Museum of American Art in St. Paul, the Art Shanty projects on Medicine Lake, and at the Soap Factory in Minneapolis. She is a recipient of a 2009 State Arts Board Grant. In the past, she has taught with St. Paul Community Education, as well as holding independent classes out of her Minneapolis studio.

T.J. Koupal is a science teacher for Minneapolis Public Schools. He joined the museum staff in 2008 and teaches classes year round.

Lee Ann Landstrom has been teaching the occasional class at the museum since 1982. Her day job is naturalist and director of Eastman Nature Center, where she has been since 1985. She has a bachelor (Carleton College) and a master's degree(University of Michigan) degrees in biology/ecology. As a professional naturalist, her museum classes pertain to animals: marsupials, elephants, beavers or fireflies, usually for pre-schoolers or families, although she teaches rainforests and natural egg dyes, too. Lee Ann leads tours to Costa Rica and has traveled to Australia, Europe, Africa, and the Galapagos, where she always learns more about the natural world. She has also written two award-wining children's books, including "Nature's Yucky!" that explains 16 animals doing "gross" behaviors and how these behaviors help the animals survive better.

Robbie Langenfeld has a BS degree in chemical engineering from the University of Minnesota. Robbie is a principal engineer at General Mills and is a licensed Professional Engineer in the state of MN. Robbie has been teaching chemistry and food related programs at the Science Museum since 2000.

Jackie Lannin has been teaching art and science classes for over thirty years. 1995 was her first year inspiring children ages 3-12 at the Science Museum. She has lead creative drop-in activities at the Minnesota Children's Museum and the MN Irish Fair. Jackie prepares four and five year olds for kindergarden at Hallie Q. Brown Community Center Preschool Program.

Mia Kia Lee is enrolled at Metro State Univeristy in preparation to transfer the the University of Minnesota engineering program. She has been involved at the musem since 2008 first with the Kitty B Anderson Youth Science Center and now with the Learning Technologies Center. Currently she is leading electrical engineering activities for EMID Science Saturdays for fourth and fifth graders from St Paul schools.

Mina Leierwood holds a Master of Art in Education from the College of St. Catherine as well as undergraduate degrees in Studio Arts and American Indian Studies from the University of Minnesota. She has taught and served as artist in residence at elementary, middle, and high schools throughout the Twin Cities, as well as in the Minnesota Opera's school outreach program. She loves living the life of art, and works to bring art into her community through projects such as ArtCars, which take art out of the galleries and into the gas stations, traffic jams, and street corners where people live their lives.

Sarah Meier is a technology specialist at a K-8 school in the Twin Cities. She is a licensed teacher with a master's degree in education. Sarah is very excited to be a part of the Science Museum teaching team and can't wait to be amazed by the creativity and talent of her camp participants.

Kim Meirose has a B.S. degree in Elementary Education and Visual Art from Drake University. She has taught science classes for the Science Museum of Minnesota and the Science Center of Iowa. Kimberly has taught art and math classes at St. Croix Preparatory Academy in Stillwater. Kim is the gifted and talented coordinator for the Faribault School district. In her free time she teaches Scottish dancing!!

Kelly Meister completed an MFA in video, performance, and installation from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design in 2008. A performance artist, Kelley is currently a Jerome Foundation Naked Stages residency grant recipient. Kelley explored painting and printmaking extensively when completing her bachelor's of fine arts. She works in a variety of electronic media and programming, such as animation, web design, and sound design. Kelley is a teaching artist in the Twin Cities' schools.

Rainey Miller is the middle school science teacher at Beacon Academy in MapleGrove. She is originally from Cedar Rapids IA where she was an instructor at the Science Station for several years. She graduated from the Univeristy of Northern Iowa. Rainey loves to travel and has visited 14 different countries with extended stays in Germany, Brazill and Guatamala.

Amy Montero has a master's degree in elementary curriculum and instruction. She had been teaching for 12 years, four with the science museum. She brings a multi-disciplinary approach into her science classroom. Amy has a special passion for sparking preschool and young elementary minds.

Kristen Murray is a Learning Technologies Fellow and LTC Instructor. She has a degree in electrical engineering from Rice University. She has taught and coordinated classes in Learning Technologies at the museum for several years. She also works at a school and in an after-school program, helping students do creative projects that combine technology, art, engineering and storytelling. She plays in a gamelan ensemble in her spare time.

Polly Anne Norrie has taught school above the Arctic Circle in Alaska and is a science specialist for the St. Paul Public Schools. She is working toward her master's degree in education with an emphasis on science. She loves the history of science and unsolved mysteries. When not teaching she is an avid reader, dancer and keeper of two naughty cats.

Karla Ollanketo is an experienced biology teacher who has taught in Illinois, Wisconsin and Minnesota. She has also taught a variety of crafting classes to adults, teens, and school-age children. Karla earned her bachelor's degree from the University of Minnesota. She is also proficient in American Sign Language. Incorporating her varied interests and teaching experiences, Karla was been making science fun for kids for 22 years.

Jody Olsen is a full-time teacher at North St. Paul High School teaching AP chemistry and physics to juniors and seniors. She began teaching informal science at the museum in 2001. When she is not teaching she has three sons that keep her plenty busy with hockey, golf, soccer, and baseball.

Kristoffer Olson is a professional "funny magician" based out of St. Paul. He is a 2005 graduate of the University of Minnesota in the theater arts program, and has been a full-time performer since receiving his degree. Kristoffer performs his magical comedy at over 150 shows per year for universities, community festivals, conventions, and corporate events. You may also find him on the field at a St. Paul Saints baseball game, where he is the "human-mascot" The Nerd. Find out more about Kristoffer at www.KristofferOlson.com.

Ryan Ouradnik earned a degree in computer animation from Academy College and studied filmmaking at Minneapolis Community and Technical College. Ryan is a teacher for Mad Science of Minnesota leading after school science around Minnesota. When he is not teaching he writes and is involved in the Twin Cities theatre scene.

David Perlman has a Ph.D.in mathematics and such an abiding love for it that he will give any kid who wants it a math lesson anywhere, any time. He is also a kid at heart, so the lessons are always fun. He has written two Star Trek scripts and directed several short movies for cable television.

Renee Petersen is earning her Master of Arts in teaching and literacy at Hamline University and has worked for more than 10 years in theater production. She was the theater technical director at Stillwater Senior High School for more than six years and is currently a living historian in Colonel Shawn Gaffney's Regiment of Shot and Pike. Renee has served a year in Americorps. At home she loves to dig in her garden with her husband and dog, Harpo.

Karen Randall has been an elementary school teacher since 1983. She is currently a content coach in the St. Paul schools. Her interests include thematic instruction and technology integration. Karen's hobbies include growing fruits and vegetables and tending a bee hive.

Jerry Ratliff is a retired middle school and elementary school teacher with an MS in Mathematics. He was nominated twice for Teacher of the Year and was a Minnesota Finalist for Teacher in Space. In 2005 he was awarded a St. Paul Volunteer of the Year award for his community volunteer work. He teaches chess, rocketry, and bike building and repair for after school and summer classes and clubs around the Twin Cities.

Leah Ritz was born and raised in the corn fields of Iowa. She graduated from Macalester College with degrees in geography and environmental studies. She is an arts and crafts enthusiast and currently enjoys creating engineering and design projects with youth on the Design Team at the Science Museum and the Tronix Team in south Minneapolis.

Will Schar is a local freelance artist and designer with a strong grasp of visual narratives. He applied these skills as a key storyboard artist for the Independent film "Regular Joe" and hopes to someday make a career of using those skills to author and illustrate a series of graphic novels for kids and adults. When not drawing or teaching for the Science Museum he is fighting, crime and chilling out with his friends, trying to enjoy the post-college life while listening to a lot of "Avenue Q."

Ron Schmit has been teaching at the Science Museum since 1986. He teaches physics and simple machines but most often can be found exciting children and families about rockets, space travel and astronomy. Ron teaches astronomy at the Eisenhower Observatory and Onan Observatory for the Minnesota Astronomical Society.

Diane Schmitz is a social worker at Marcy School in S.E. She has been a camp director for the Science Museum since 1994.

Anne Schuerger has a BS in electrical engineering and computer science from way back in 1982. She worked with some of the early programmable logic controllers for factory automation and now delights in sharing their amazing descendants - like Scratch - with kids. She has co-founded two Montessori schools in the area and loves to create new materials for classrooms. When not making things, she can be found with her husband at yoga or walking their dog in the woods.

Cathy Scobie is a long time teacher with the Science Museum. During the school year she teaches a wide variety of science classes for gifted and talented students visiting the museum. She has a degree in earth science education and has taught earth and life science in a public school. She has trained teachers around the state on the use of various hands-on science curriculums. With an interest in renewable energy, she is currently working on an Energy Education Certificate at Hamline University.

Ben Severns is a senior fine arts studio student at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. He works primarily in photography, sculpture and sound. His work is influenced by his childhood as the son of a mechanical engineer. He has taught photography and graphic design at the Carver-Scott Educational Cooperative.

Justin Spencer is a tinkerer, fascinated with the natural world and limitless capacity of human creativity. He received a degree in physics from the University of Minnesota, where he has also studied science education. He also works for the Bakken Museum engaging students in shocking science activities. In his spare time he enjoys taking pictures, riding his bicycle, and learning new skills, especially related to circuits and robotics.

Andy Stone is a sophomore at the University of Minnesota studying mechanical engineering. He has spent his summers doing research in the field of electrical engineering and as a counselor at Camp TEKO. For fun Andy likes to go skiing, canoeing, sailing and most other things outdoors. He also enjoy building robots out of legos.

Sabrina Sutliff-Gross is the Senior Education Coordinator & Instructor. She coordinates and teaches workshops for youth that integrate technology and art in Learning Technologies. She also plans and implements learning opportunities for adults including the NISE Net fora, adult classes, and workshops. She earned her B.F.A. in drawing, with a focus in scientific illustration, and her master's of education in art at the University of Minnesota.

Sheila Thelen has a degree in anthropolgy from Hamline University. She worked in Isreal Arad Archaeological Center for three years. She is a Professional Skater's Association Master Rated Coach and training equipment inventor. Sheila has been teaching at the museum since 1994.

Kirsten Urke is an Elementary and Middle School Math Education Student as well as Women Studies at Saint Catherine University. She has been a part of the museum since she was 12 years old and has worked at the Science Museum every summer since. When Kirsten graduates, she plans on getting her students excited and interested in math and science at either the elementary or middle school level.

Manda Vlasak graduated from Bemidji State University with a BS in elementary education and a math specialty. She currently works at Falcon Ridge Middle School in Apple Valley. Manda starting working with the museum in the Camp-In Program and has many years experience working with youth in various settings.

Oanh Vu is a youth worker and an artist with a BA in Studio Art from the College of St. Benedict. For two years Oanh was an Assistant Youth Crew Manager for the Invention Crew in the Kitty Andersen Youth Science Center at the Science Museum of Minnesota. When not working Oanh can be found making movies or overly complicated paper mache costumes.

Asia Ward is LTC Program Specialist and LTC Instructor. She prototypes and develops hands-on activities for all ages, which are then tested in the classroom and on the exhibit floor. Her work as an artist ranges from animatronic creatures to large-scale metal sculptures.

Deidre Webster has a degree in fine art from the College of Saint Catherine. She has taught classes in Learning Technologies at the museum for two summers. She is also an after-school program teacher working with pre-school and kindergarten aged students. In her spare time Deidre enjoys playing cards and boardgames, crafts, and bringing her dog to the park.

Alex Weinzierl has a B.S. in animal science and a minor in Mass Communications from the University of Minnesota. When she's not working at a vet clinic, she loves to spend time with her two dogs, read, travel, or run. She is looking forward to joining the Science Museum summer camp team this year!

Ashley Wokasch is the owner of a textile design and clothing company, Calpurnia Peach, in N.E. Minneapolis.

Eduard Zelkind is a six-time Minnesota State Chess Champion and FIDE Chess Master, is one of the most accomplished and respected chess teachers in the country, as well as one of the highest ranked competitive players in Minnesota. Ed has been coaching chess in the United States for the past 20+ years.