Meet Our Instructors

Abigail (Abbi) Allan
Abbi's work is about creating a hybridized experience between art and science. She attended the Alfred University: New York School of Ceramic Art and Design; where she majored in Mixed Media Sculpture, while minoring both in Biology and Art History. She got her Masters of Fine Art in sculpture at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. She has taught at the Science Museum of Minnesota since 2001, and moved to the division of Lifelong Learning in 2011; teaching science through visual project. She also teaches at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. Her own work examines the fragility of nature: both its beauty and its grotesque accumulated effects when mistreated. She loves her furry family of two Dobermans, two cats, and more fish than we can keep track of, and finds ways of integrating both her love for science and art into her daily life.

Peter Anderson
Peter has a Master's Degree in Science Education and a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry. He has taught biology, physics, chemistry, health, physical science, forensic science, environmental science, ACT preparation, and guided student research and independent studies. Originally from Tulsa, Oklahoma, Peter attended the University of St. Thomas and the University of Minnesota. Before becoming an instructor of science, Peter held many jobs including: bench-top chemist, procedure validator, quality analysis technician, student researcher, office manager, production chemist, kitchen worker, gas station clerk, laboratory technician, summer camp counselor, stockroom assistant, kickball umpire, and professional tutor in all subjects. Peter has been with the museum for 6 years and in the worlds of science and education for 14 years.

Cindee Calton
Cindee has a BA in math and anthropology from the University of Northern Iowa and an MA in anthropology from the University of Iowa. Before attending graduate school, Cindee was an Assistant Youth Program Manager in the Science Museum's Kitty Andersen Youth Science Center and an instructor for the Learning Technologies Center. She taught classes in Scratch, Flash, stop-motion animation, Comic Life, PicoBlocks and more. She missed the Science Museum so much, she's back for more science while she finishes her PhD dissertation! In addition to her job at the museum, Cindee teaches Cultural Anthropology for Black Hawk College and does research on American Sign Language. When not working, Cindee is an avid board game player and continuously adds to her ever-growing Lego city.

Jan Elftmann
Jan is an artist and a long-time instructor for the Science Museum of Minnesota specializing in engineering (Engineering is Elementary®), carpentry, electricity, and hands-on design classes. Jan is the founder and director of the ArtCar Parade of Minnesota on the fourth Saturday in July and she has been a contributing artist with the Art Shanty Project for the last six winters. Jan has a Bachelors of Fine Arts from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design.

Erin Fenlon
Erin earned a Bachelors of Science degree in geology and environmental science from the College of William and Mary and a Master of Science degree in geology from the University of Wisconsin Madison. Additionally, she spent time at the National Outdoor Leadership School and completed the Semester at Sea study abroad program. Recently, Erin earned her teaching licenses in 5-8 general science and 9-12 earth and space science at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. Erin believes part of her job as an educator is to encourage students' curiosity about the natural world and help them develop scientific inquiry skills.

Janet Gronert
Janet developed her first class Space Clothes for the Science Museum in 1982. In 1992 she took on the full-time management of the youth staff, classroom facilities and began growing the materials collection used for children and family programing. She has developed numerous classes, managed programming including birthday parties, full-day and half-day summer camps and after-school programs with local partners. A favorite part of her job is assisting instructors in selecting and modifying activities to be age appropriate, creative and accessible often using recycled materials. Janet has a BFA from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. Her artwork explores materials and context through wearable art and sculpture. She is currently researching scaling up a sculpture for the out of doors with funding from the Jerome Foundation through Forecast Public Art.

Kim Higgins
Kim received her Bachelors of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in Elementary Education with an area of concentration in science. Before coming to the Science Museum of Minnesota, she developed a program for 1st and 2nd graders with hands-on science activities, running it for 5 years, and has since taught many different classes with the museum. In her spare time she enjoys time spent with family, college football, and the out-of-doors.

Peter Hoh
Peter Hoh has been teaching at the Science Museum of Minnesota since 1995. While he's taught a variety of classes, Peter has a special interest in the basic principles of physics. He has developed several classes that use LEGO toys to teach engineering and mechanics. Earlier in his career, Peter was a fourth-grade teacher in Pennsylvania, where he rewrote the science curriculum to emphasize hands-on activities. Peter graduated from Saint Olaf College. When he's not teaching, Peter enjoys gardening, cooking, and volunteering in his neighborhood.

Jessica Holm
Jessica received her Bachelor's degree in Biology and English from the University of Minnesota, Morris. She completed her graduate degree in Museum Studies at the University of Colorado, Boulder where she was a graduate assistant at the CU Museum of Natural History. Jessica is passionate about informal science education, especially finding ways to connect museum visitors to emerging science research. Before becoming a Lifelong Learning Instructor, Jessica was a Science Museum volunteer for several years, and has also worked for the History Colorado Museum and the Boulder History Museum.

Donna Homan
Donna has taught at the Science Museum since 1993. She has a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering and a special passion for chemistry and physics. Donna is skilled in the effective use of interactive technology in the classroom and in coaching FIRST® Lego League robotics. She loves finding ways to integrate recycled materials into her science experiments. Her free time is devoted to being a Scouting volunteer, recycling fabric into warm mittens, and playing volleyball.

Sam Horak
Sam graduated from the University of Minnesota with a degree in Early Childhood Education. A licensed teacher since 1996, Sam is passionate about teaching science and ecology to students of all ages and backgrounds. Twenty years of teaching experience exemplifies Sam's continuing dedication to life long learning. When she is not teaching, Sam is an avid outdoors woman.

Kelly Jacobs
Kelly earned her Bachelors of Science degree from St. Cloud State University in Elementary Education with a minor and specialty in science. Before coming to the Science Museum of Minnesota, Kelly taught physical and life science to middle school students in the west-metro area for three years. She also has experience as an educator working for the Maryland Science Center in Baltimore, MD. Outside of work, Kelly enjoys traveling, biking, playing sports, and crafting.