Meet the Team: Science on Wheels

We want to bring STEM to you! One of the most exciting ways we bring science to life beyond our walls is through our Science on Wheels program.  

This team takes the wonders of science directly to schools, community groups, and events across the region. Let’s dive into what makes this team unique and meet some of the dedicated individuals who drive this incredible program. 

What is Science on Wheels?

Science on Wheels is a mobile outreach program designed to make science accessible and engaging for everyone, regardless of their location across Washington state.  

Our specially equipped vans are packed with hands-on exhibits, interactive experiments, and live demonstrations that cover a wide range of topics! Our staff are passionate educators, trained to make topics like physics, engineering, biology and astronomy exciting and accessible for all students.

Our goal is to provide high-quality STEM education and plant a seed to inspire a lifetime of learning in our program participants.

The Impact of Science on Wheels

Since its inception fifty years ago, Science on Wheels has reached millions of learners, providing immersive educational experiences that might not be accessible otherwise.  

We also provide free Science on Wheels programming to qualifying low-income schools and organizations. This vital work is made possible by our generous partners, who help ensure that financial barriers don’t prevent access to quality science education. 

By bringing science directly to people’s doorsteps, we break down barriers to access and create a dynamic learning environment that encourages exploration and discovery. 

Meet the Team!

We’re excited to introduce you to some of the incredible members of the Science on Wheels team. While this is not a complete list of our dedicated educators, we’re thrilled to spotlight these passionate individuals who bring their love for STEM to life!

Natasha Grim

Natasha G. (she/they), Outreach Education Coordinator

Natasha’s love for STEM and teaching comes from a deep-rooted passion for learning and sharing knowledge with kids. Their favorite demo, “Elephant Toothpaste,” never fails to amaze students who’ve only seen it online.

They take pride in creating inclusive, safe spaces for queer students, connecting with them through their own pronouns. Natasha’s off-duty hours are filled with art, gardening, reading, swimming, birdwatching, and hanging out with loved ones. 

Isabel Wilson

Isabel W. (she/her), Outreach Educator

Isabel’s fascination with animals and nature, sparked in her own backyard by her dad’s bug obsession, blossomed into a full-blown passion for STEM. She loves wowing students with demonstrations, such as the expanding shaving cream in vacuum of space and planetarium shows, turning complex concepts into unforgettable experiences.

Isabel believes the Science on Wheels program is a game-changer, bringing thrilling STEM experiences to communities that might otherwise miss out. When she’s not teaching, you’ll find her crafting, hiking, or hanging out with friends.

Kimberly Pugh

Kimberly P. (she/her), Outreach Educator

Kimberly’s spark for STEM was ignited by a giant heart model at the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, PA. Her enthusiasm has only grown from there. She thrives on connecting with students and loves seeing their eyes light up with understanding.

Kimberly is passionate about making science hands-on and accessible, providing students with experiences they might not find elsewhere. In her downtime, she enjoys knitting, hanging out with friends, cooking, and going on yoga and jogging adventures.

Maddy Totman

Maddy T. (she/her), Outreach Educator

Maddy’s journey from a science-loving high school student to an Outreach Educator has been fueled by her love for teaching and science. She adores leading planetarium programs and introducing kids to the magic of programming robots.

A standout moment was dealing with the amusing antics of curious animals trying to enter the van (see right). Maddy’s mission is to make science exciting and accessible, showing students that it’s not just for the classroom. In her free time, she is hiking, camping, or hanging out with her cat Percy.

Science on Wheels van with goats and dogs
Wyatt Mullen

Wyatt M. (he/him), Outreach Educator

Wyatt’s fascination with science was sparked by seeing Sue the T. Rex at PacSci as a child. He loves using the mobile planetarium to inspire students with everything from simple lunar phases to complex dark matter theories.

Wyatt’s all about making science exciting and relatable, showing kids that it’s a big, fun part of everyday life. When Wyatt isn’t teaching, he is exploring Washington’s trails, indulging in landscape photography, and soaking in nature. 

Manders Vandal

Manders V. (she/her), Outreach Educator

Manders’ love for animals and nature, ignited by the movie Jumanji, drives her passion for hands-on science education. A standout memory includes a kindergartner’s request to create a robot that “sounds like her,” which perfectly captures Manders’ knack for inspiring creativity.

Manders sees Science on Wheels as her chance to get kids pumped about STEM, often being the enthusiastic “hype man” who gets everyone excited. She spends her free time volunteering at local Seattle theaters and watching movies.

Victoria Patella

Victoria P. (she/her), Outreach Educator

Victoria’s lifelong love for science, from astronomy to chemistry, makes her a dynamo in the classroom. She loves dramatic demonstrations, such as elephant toothpaste and fire toss, which she revamped with her background in chemistry. The standout moment was witnessing the Aurora Borealis in Brewster, WA this past year. This was a bucket-list event that highlighted the unifying power of science (see right).

Victoria is passionate about making STEM accessible and fun, especially for upper elementary and middle school students. Outside of work, she’s into reading, concerts, and catching up with friends.

Science on Wheels team with aurora borealis
Grace Harrington

Grace H. (she/her), Outreach Educator

Grace’s teaching journey began in middle school and has never looked back. Her favorite demonstration, the mobile planetarium, reignited her own love for science and continues to captivate students of all ages. One unforgettable moment was when students asked her to sign a Polaroid photo, which showed her just how memorable these programs are!

Grace loves expanding students’ views of science, showing them its broad and exciting possibilities. When she’s not engaging learners, Grace enjoys crocheting, reading, and exploring Seattle’s theatre scene.

Bring us to your community!

The Science on Wheels team is constantly on the move, bringing the joy of discovery to new audiences across the Pacific Northwest.  

Whether we’re demonstrating the principles of space exploration or exploring the mysteries of the human mind, our goal is to make science exciting and accessible. We’re always looking for new opportunities to engage with the community, so if you’re interested in having Science on Wheels visit your school or event, submit an inquiry on our website! 

Why It Matters

Programs like Science on Wheels play a crucial role in fostering a love of science and learning.  

By reaching out to diverse communities and providing hands-on educational experiences, we’re helping create a future where everyone can engage with and appreciate the wonders of science. 

Stay tuned for more behind-the-scenes looks at the amazing teams that exemplify curiosity and innovation. We can’t wait to share more stories with you!

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Emily Jeung

About the Author

Emily Jeung is a passionate marketing and communications professional based in Seattle, working at Pacific Science Center. Specializing in engaging content creation and strategic outreach, Emily is dedicated to enhancing the center’s mission of delivering impactful science education and fostering community connections. When she isn’t working, she enjoys exploring the outdoors, crafting, and cooking.

Email Emily for insights and collaboration opportunities.

Outreach education programs are presented by Amazon Future Engineer and Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. Additional generous support provided by Intellectual Ventures, Alaska Airlines, First Tech Federal Credit Union, Chevron Corporation, The Baker Foundation, Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation, SMART Technologies, Verizon, Bamford Foundation, Hazel Miller Foundation, Ruth Anderson Wheeler & Henry O. Wheeler Charitable Trust, Northwest Earth and Space Sciences Pathways funded by NASA under award No. NNX16AB86A, and an anonymous donor.

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