Staff

Jenn Moore believes EUREKA! is an intersection of math, science, and art—bringing students and the community together for exhibitions, hands-on activities, and classroom learning. Moore hopes to make EUREKA! a magnet for creativity, critical thinking, and lifelong learning. She hopes to redefine the way people think about, learn about, and interact with science and technology by making science fun for everyone.

Moore comes to EUREKA! from the Timberline Field Institute at Colorado Mountain College in Leadville where she taught courses in Natural Resource Management. Having always had a passion for science and teaching, she developed new programs, wrote grants for student driven research, and managed an internship program for students to have hands-on work experience. Previous to her work at the college she was a research hydrologist for the US Geological Survey in Grand Junction. Her educational background is in Biological Systems Engineering from Virginia Tech and Environmental Engineering from Colorado State University.

In her free time Moore enjoys mountain biking, gardening, reading books, and traveling the world with her husband Jesse and their children.

Briana (aka “B”) joined the EUREKA! team in 2018. She is motivated by EUREKA!'s mission to inspire a passion and respect for math and science in our communities. B considers it an honor to be involved in EUREKA!'s programs from leading Pre-K family programs to travelling with active adults over 55 and working with volunteers to maintain exhibits.

Prior to joining EUREKA!, Briana taught outdoor education in Montana and at Colorado National Monument. She also taught 9th and 10th grade science at Juniper Ridge Community School in Grand Junction.

B loves to spend time outside, exploring with her husband, Paul and kids, Wren and Fisher.

Shannon is excited to join the EUREKA! team in May of 2020! She completed her BA in Liberal Arts with an Elementary Education License from Colorado Mesa University. Prior to her work with EUREKA!, Shannon taught kindergarten and first grade for 5 years in District 51. She is excited to continue cultivating curiosity and expanding the minds of children through the education programs at EUREKA!. She is originally from Denver, but has fallen in love with the Western Slope. In her free time, Shannon enjoys hiking, backpacking, running, and exploring our beautiful state with her husband, Drew, and her sons, Charlie and Brooks.

Deanna grew up in Mesa, Colorado and has spent most of her life on the Western Slope. She earned BA in Sociology with a minor in Gender Studies from Colorado Mesa University, and holds a certificate in Early Childhood Education. Deanna is currently working on her Masters of Science in Organizational Leadership through Mercyhurst University. She served three years in administrative roles at Colorado Mesa University, interning in the Admissions Office and as the Engagement for Coordinator with TRIO Student Support Services. After a year serving as the Youth Programs Manager for EUREKA!, Deanna moved into the Operations Director role in Summer 2023.

In her spare time, you can find her mountain biking, hiking, fishing, camping, reading or doing yoga. She is so thrilled to be part of the EUREKA! team, and instill a love of science and education in the local community.

Kristen was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona but has called Grand Junction home since 2018. She studied Biology with a concentration in Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology. Kristen loves being a part of EUREKA!’s Environmental Institute because it combines her love for the outdoors with her passion for science. She believes there is nothing more empowering than teaching students how to recreate responsibly, while simultaneously showing them they can accomplish things they never thought possible and instilling a sense of curiosity for the environment around them. As an avid cyclist who has been a coach for Grand Valley Youth Cycling for several years, Kristen especially loves bringing her experience to EUREKA!’s mountain bike programming. In her free time she enjoys biking, running, climbing, and most other forms of recreating outdoors. When at home she prefers to read a good book and snuggle up with her two cats Momo and Mean Cat.

Christina joined EUREKA! in 2018. She is originally from the Philadelphia area, and earned a bachelor’s degree in Geology from Bryn Mawr College. After graduating, she moved to New York City and earned a MAT and teaching certification in Earth Science from The American Museum of Natural History.

Following graduate school, Christina taught middle and high school science in New York City. In the summer of 2017, she journeyed across the Atlantic to work at The American School of Tangier in Morocco, where she taught middle school science and coached elementary science. In 2023, Christina completed her M.Ed in Teaching and Leadership from Colorado Mesa University.

Christina enjoys living in Grand Junction and being a part of the EUREKA! team, where she hopes to continue growing the educational programs. In her free time she likes hiking, reading, running, cooking, and traveling with her husband, Kishan.

Gilberto G. Ramírez Macías joined EUREKA! in 2021 as the AmiGOs Coordinator. He is originally from Aguascalientes, México. 

Gilberto earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Spanish Literature and Language with a Minor in Mass Communication from Colorado Mesa University. After graduating he started working for School District 51/Migrant Education Program as Outreach specialist. Gilberto has been working for Suehiro Japanese Restaurant since August 2005-now. 

He worked as bilingual teller/personal banker for Wells Fargo Clifton branch from March 2018-May 2021.

He participated as board member of the Western Colorado Latino Chamber of Commerce from January 2020 - September 2021.

He was certified as VIA trainer from John Hanley’s Transformational coaching academy in Los Ángeles, CA on 2016.

He was certified as transformational coach from the ATC Academia de Transformación Contemporánea in México July 2019.

He is the founder- director of Via Vitae LLC, Transformational coaching academy established on February 2020 and that serves the Latino community on the Western Colorado.

Johanna joined Eureka! in 2025, inspired by its mission to ignite a love of STEAM throughout the community. Prior to this role, she served as Executive Director of the Colorado National Monument Association and brings a background in federal public lands.

A true outdoor enthusiast, Johanna is happiest outside—whether she’s mountain biking, backpacking, or simply napping in the sun. She has lived across the country, from Charleston, SC, and New Orleans, LA, to Carmel Valley, CA, but has found her favorite home in the Grand Valley. Drawn by its strong sense of community and abundant public lands, she is passionate about connecting people to place through education and exploration.

Kelsey is overjoyed to be part of the EUREKA! team, engaging in science education in the outdoors! She is a recent arrival to Grand Junction from Salt Lake City, where she was using her masters degree in bilingual education to teach dual immersion first grade. She has spent many years teaching all age groups in a variety of beautiful places including Oregon, Utah, Chile, Peru, Bolivia, and the Dominican Republic. The Environmental Institute combines her passion for sparking children's natural curiosity with her love of the mountains and the desert. She spends her free time skiing, biking, painting, and exploring with an ever-increasing community of wonderful people and dogs.

Erika is thrilled to be part of the stellar team at EUREKA! She believes strongly in the power of outdoor education, hands-on learning, and the natural sciences — and the Environmental Institute at EUREKA! is the intersection of all three! Erika approaches nature as an observer and with a sense of curiosity, she is excited to introduce students to this way of exploring. She is especially passionate about ecology, biodiversity, and symbiotic relationships in nature. 

In her free time you can find Erika exploring the quieter nooks & crannies of our state with her husband and dog; mountain biking, backcountry skiing, rock climbing, or backpacking. For Erika, the joy of outdoor pursuits lies in their ability to take you to new spaces. In recent years, Erika’s favorite way of exploring has been bikepacking; she has ridden some obscure routes as well as some more well-known routes such as the Kokopelli Trail, the Colorado Trail, and the White Rim. If you run into Erika on local trails, she’d love to stop and chat.

Hello! My name is Kathryn and I am really happy to be a part of the EUREKA! team. I was born in Florida, but I have lived in many parts of the United States. I also have spent the past few years working and living in southern Spain. I earned my Associates of Arts with a concentration in Spanish at Front Range Community College, and I am currently an Elementary Education Major with a concentration in Social Sciences at CMU. I assisted classes that were part of the Erasmus+ Green School program in Europe, and I am an advocate for environmental science and sustainability. In my spare time I love painting, writing and spending time outdoors.

Born in Albuquerque, NM and raised in Grand Junction, Pete is a child of the west. His love of the outdoors and especially the waters that flow through the valleys of Colorado’s Western Slope started at an early age and has only grown over the years. As a professional fly fishing guide, his approach is “safety first, then fun, then fish” and his 25 years in the aquatic safety industry are a testament to those priorities. A conservationist and nature lover, he is fiercely committed to the protection of natural resources and the finned, feathered, and furry creatures that inhabit them. Pete is also a sous chef and loves to feed people as well as teach them to feed themselves. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in English Literature from Mesa State College (CMU).

My name is Elise Barnes. I am a senior at CMU getting my degree in Nursing and a minor in Business Administration. I am also an active member in one of the sororities on campus, Alpha Sigma Alpha. When I am not at EUREKA! it is usually because there is a birthday party happening!!!! When I'm not busy with school or work, I love to bake, cook, paint, watch movies or hangout with my cat, Willow!

Bella holds a bachelors in elementary education from UNC Greeley. She is the Site Supervisor at Mesa View Elementary, and also tutors 3rd-5th grade math.

I'm super excited to learn and grow at EUREKA! as a new addition to the team! I grew up in the great state of Iowa (Midwest princess) and relocated to Colorado about 3 years ago. After pursuing jobs in the biological sciences as an AmeriCorps member and research field technician, I fell in love with teaching people of all ages about the natural sciences. I love creating spaces where students can wonder and get curious about the places they call home. As of late in my freetime, I enjoy trail running, eating ice cream, skiing, botanizing, traveling to new places, and doing paint-by-stickers while listening to my favorite podcasts.

Callie grew up in Grand Junction, and was always interested in music and the sciences. They went on to attain a Bachelor's Degree in Chemistry from Oakland University before returning to give back to their home. Now, they love to inspire students about science, and spend their free time writing, painting, and developing community!

Hello my name is Michelle McAnany and I am the Supplies Manager.  I have a degree in Fashion Merchandising and believe it or not that helps a lot with this job.  I love to be outdoors doing biking, skiing, walking the dog and gardening with my friends or family.  I am excited to work with so many fun people and help support the teachers and students learn new things.

My name is Shay Murphy. I have recently acquired my B.S. in Exercise Science from CMU where I was also a member of the women's Lacrosse team. I have over 5 years of experience coaching lacrosse and have worked with athletes of all levels from elementary school to college. I am passionate about music and learning about the human body and the amazing things it can do. In my free time, I love doing anything outside and spend my time biking, hiking, and climbing as much as I can.

Trent is from Georgia and moved to Colorado in 2023. He has a BA in Music Education and spent 10 years teaching music in Georgia public schools. Since moving to the Grand Valley, he has continued to work in education. In his spare time, he enjoys playing instruments, reading and writing, and being outdoors with his dogs and his wife, Caitlin.

Jacob is over the moon to join the EUREKA! team as a Grants & Communications specialist in 2024! You can find him taking photos of programs, puzzling together print materials, and drafting grant applications. Jacob is a staunch advocate of effective, meaningful communication. He has a BA in Mass Communications earned from CMU in 2020 and 8 years of work experience in the cycling industry as an all-hands guy, doing everything from repair work to inventory management to web content creation. EUREKA! holds an important space in Grand Junction's education landscape and Jacob is excited to be a part of it!

Outside of EUREKA!, Jacob is always on his bike, be it for fun or as a coach for Grand Valley Youth Cycling. His geriatric cat Charlie makes for a hilarious roommate. Jacob is proud to be the support mechanic for the annual Ride2Rosemary and She2Sea, both of which are charity fundraiser bike rides from Memphis, TN to the Gulf Coast to raise money for the West Cancer Research Institute. 

My name is Brittani Peters and I am very excited to work with EUREKA!. I am a born and raised native of the Grand Valley. I graduated from Palisade High School in 2015. Since then I have studied K-12 Music Education at CMU and have worked various tutoring jobs in D51. My dream job would be to be an elementary music teacher, but I am happy to work with kids in any capacity. It is my main goal in life to become a positive, trusting adult with any kiddo I work with. In my spare time, I enjoy playing flute, reading, cross-stitching, and playing video games. My husband and I do have some wonderful fur babies. We have Zeus and Loki who are cats, and we recently adopted a blue heeler/border collie puppy who we call Bjorn. 

Kylee has been with EUREKA! since 2021 and has loved watching students learn and grow over the years. She is an artist pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Studio Art with an emphasis in Ceramics at Colorado Mesa University, hoping to obtain her teaching licensure in the near future. While teaching environmental sciences at EUREKA!, she connected her passions for forestry, conservation, and social issues to her ceramic work, aiming to spark conversations about humanity's impact on the Earth.

Growing up in and around the mountains of Colorado, her deep connection to nature—especially trees—profoundly influences her daily life. When she’s not teaching or creating, Kylee enjoys visiting National Parks, camping, hiking, fly fishing, crocheting, and slacklining.

Hi! My name is Demi and I am a Colorado Mesa University Graduate. I graduated with a degree in Liberal Arts: Education. I have been volunteering and working with kids since I was 14. I am passionate about teaching children about the Colorado environment and the importance of STEAM (although they will often teach me new things too!). When I am not working you can find me on the monument, book shopping, or singing in my car. My EUREKA! journey has been beautiful and I can't wait to see where it takes me.

Lizards, and geckos, and snakes, oh my! Austin is a fan of anything scaly, and loves to spend time with all sorts of reptiles and amphibians. Austin currently helps care for the live exhibits here at the museum in addition to a collection of his own at home including a corn snake, tiger salamander, sonoran desert toad, ball python, boa imperator, russian tortoise, two kenyan sand boas, and a small fish tank! He also likes to cruise around the valley on his motorcycle, spend time outside hiking and slacklining, and enjoy the company of friends for some board games. Austin is currently expanding on his B.S. in Biological Sciences by going to CMU for a certificate in Data Science.

I'm a student with Colorado Mountain College getting an Associate of Arts! I was born in California but have grown up here in Grand Junction Colorado. I'm a firm believer that knowledge is power and am passionate about education. I love being outdoors rafting, hiking, camping. Being outside fuels my creativity! I love all forms of art and creative expression. 

Natalie supports the Environmental Institute at EUREKA! as an Instructor. She holds a Bachelors of Science in Outdoor Recreational Studies. Natalie primary focus is working with the Environmental Institute outdoor programs, but will be seen occasionally in STEAM camps and tutoring in District 51. Some of Natalie's favorites moments are spent outdoors hiking, biking, skiing, and climbing in the Grand Valley!

Hello! My name is Christine Wright, and I am so excited to join the EUREKA! McConnell Science Museum staff in 2023 as a Steam Instructor, Math tutor, and after-school site supervisor. I come from the sunny state of Florida, where I graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor’s in Elementary Education. I also completed post-baccalaureate classes in Visual Arts from the University of South Florida and Eckerd College, focusing on Ceramics and Drawing. I worked in the Hillsborough County school system as a Middle School Art teacher and for the non-profit organization Prodigy Cultural Arts Program, teaching students 7-17 self-esteem and empowerment skills through Visual Arts, Performing Arts, and educational tutoring. Before becoming an education major and Art teacher, I was a microbiology major, so I love science!  Whenever I created Art lessons, I would discuss the scientific, engineering, or mathematical processes occurring in creating art. I am happy that here at EUREKA!, I can combine my loves of science, art, and educating children! In my free time, I love to draw and make pottery on my wheel at home. I also love to go hiking and biking in the glorious mountains around Grand Junction with my husband, Rob, and my son, Max.

My name is Joy Davis and I am thrilled to be celebrating my 20th year as a Pre-K teacher! I am a Grand Junction native and I am very close to my family. My mother, Kathy, and my father, Don, love to be Grandma Kathy and Grandpa Don in the classroom. I hope you meet them this year! My older brother, Craig, lives in Hawaii and I love to go visit him whenever I can! I own a home with my best friend, Tom, and we have two babies - our dogs, Olaf and Ditch. When I am not in the classroom, I love to play with my dogs, ride my bike, go camping, watch movies, and read lots of books! I feel extremely privileged to be a part of your child's entry into the education journey! I believe that as Pre-K teachers, we have a very unique opportunity to make a lasting impression in the lives of our students. We are blessed with the chance to foster not only a love of learning, but also a love of living, with our children! We are so pleased that you have decided to become a part of our Nest family! Welcome to our classroom and to our year of educational adventure!

My name is Quinn and I am originally from Aurora, Colorado but have lived in Grand Junction for the last 5 years with my husband and my pets. I enjoy cooking, playing video games, caring for my plants, and collecting antiques! I am finishing up my degree in Early Childhood Education at CMU Tech and currently hold other certifications in the field.  

I am very excited to get to know your kiddo and share a love for learning and working together. I believe that building a strong foundation for education and a positive self image will follow young children into all areas of their lives, and help them to make the world a better place in the future!

My name is Rosa. I’m a native Californian but I love Colorado.  My husband and I have lived in Grand Junction for over 30 years and I couldn’t think of a better place to raise my twin boys. Recently I retired from my teacher position at School District #51.  I love crafting, sewing and hanging out with my family.

Alida supports the Amigos Mobile Spanish Preschool and Nest Preschool! She is an excellent bilingual educator and cares about student safety and engagement.

Kelsey is excited to join the EUREKA! team and brings with her 20 years of professional experience working with culturally diverse children, families and educators in education and mental health settings, in a variety of roles: teacher, counselor, coach, and director.  She is passionate about cultivating a lifelong love of learning in our youngest citizens and honoring and appreciating the adults that care for and guide them!

She holds a bachelor’s degree in Human Development and Family Studies and a master’s degree in Counseling Psychology, with specialized training and certifications in Early Childhood Education. When she is not reading early childhood and leadership literature, she’s enjoying nature, camping, hiking, and riding bikes with her husband and daughter or hanging out with her “indoor-sy” rescue dog.

My name is Vonnie Davis and I have graduated in 2011 from CMU with a degree in sociology. I have many years of experience working with kids and enjoy the different experiences each child brings. In my down time I love reading, going to the movies, traveling, and spending time with my family and friends. I am happy to be a part of the EUREKA! staff and getting the chance to meet new people.

Mayra joined EUREKA! In 2024 as a bilingual educator, she was born in Jalisco, Mexico but grew up in the beautiful Rocky Mountains.

Mayra received her BA in Social and Behavioral Sciences from Colorado Mesa University. After graduating, Mayra pursued a career as a legal assistant at a respected law firm in Grand Junction. She truly enjoyed working with clients and helping them with their legal needs. However, after the birth of her first child, Mayra made the decision to become a stay-at-home mother to focus on raising her family.

During her time at home, Mayra discovered a passion for event planning and co-founded Sip Nics, a luxury pop-up picnic business focused on creating beautiful setups and memorable experiences.

Mayra also serves as Vice-President for Blissful Hearts, a local non-profit organization that helps children in need with school supplies, clothing, food and toys.

Mayra’s desire to work with children stems from her belief that every child has the right to grow up in a world where they feel secure, valued, and inspired to aim high.

In her free time Mayra enjoys spending time with her family, reading and crafting

Kiya Knight has worked in the ECE field for seven years and has a CDA, Directors Certification and an AAS in Early Childhood Education. Kiya takes great pride in creating an inclusive, welcoming classroom and providing the highest quality of care to each and every child. When she's not in the classroom, she is spending time with her ten pets or snowboarding down Powderhorn all winter long!

Coming Soon!

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Hello! My name is Rachael, and I'm a Junior majoring in Computer Information Systems at CMU. I'm from Colorado, but I've spent most of my life traveling full-time or living in Spain before finding my way back to CO to pursue a degree. In my spare time, I enjoy doing anything outdoors, playing guitar, or spending time with family. I'm excited to be a part of the EUREKA! team.

Hi, my name is Isaac, and I am currently a student at CMU studying Business Administration and Analytics! I work as a STEAM educator and data analyst for EUREKA!. What excites me about my job is the ability to make a meaningful impact on my community by interacting with kids and sharing my passion for learning. Outside of work, I enjoy playing sports like soccer, volleyball, pickleball — and skiing during the winter.

Hi! I’m Taylor, I’m currently a senior at Fruita Monument High School and I’m also dual enrolled at CMU. I currently do cheer with Fruita and I hope to continue my passion with cheer at CMU next year. I’m majoring in Elementary Education and hoping to be a speech pathologist later in life. I like to travel and I go everywhere with my family such as Iceland, Paris, and Germany. I’m very passionate about working with kids and I’m always excited to see new faces!

Hello, Simon here, I'm a student at CMU majoring in computer science. I'm Colorado born and raised. I enjoy board games, computers, robotics, movies and I am a puzzle whiz! I enjoy trying to become an expert of miscellaneous topics and fishing. You may see me around the museum, tutoring at schools, summer camps and playing games at the game store!

Coming soon!

Hello, my name is Tyleigh Hansen, and I am excited to join the EUREKA! Team. Currently I am a student at Colorado Mountain College and Colorado Mesa University. I’m pursuing bachelor’s degrees in mechanical engineering, early childhood and elementary education, and business management, with certifications in ECE, CAD/Drafting, welding, and machining technology. My academic interests include engineering, robotics, graphic design, 3D printing, drafting, and computer design. Outside of academics, I enjoy riding horses, hunting, and fishing. 

Roberto is a part-time math tutor, from Mexico City. Transferred CMU to pursue a bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering through the CU Boulder partnership program. He has past experience from a bachelors physics program and enjoys spreading curiosity and fun in both mathematics and science for children. He is excited to be able to provide help in EUREKA!'s hands-on projects and exhibits. Outside of the classroom, you can find him at the Community Hospital Unity Field playing soccer for the CMU Mavericks.

Hello! My name is Bryan Hillman, I’m a freshman at CMU majoring in Secondary Education: History. I’m a huge fan of history, and history interconnects with science in so many ways. In my free time, I enjoy playing video games, writing, and playing tabletop board/card games. I’m excited to help out and learn skills through EUREKA!.

Coming Soon!

Hello! My name is Andrew Jordan and I am one of the critter care specialists at EUREKA!. I am currently pursuing a biology degree at CMU. I hope to work with animals as my future career which is why I love my job. I get to continually learn how to care for different types of animals which I can use in the future. In my spare time I can be found watching/playing sports, practicing guitar, or hanging out with my friends and family.

Dermot is a high school senior at Grand Junction High School. He is the president of the Student Council and plays lacrosse. He plans to go into the Air Force after graduation. He is an excellent leader at After School.

Hi! My name is Amaya, and I am pursuing a degree in Elementary Education at CMU! I have worked with kids since I was 16 and have found a real love and passion for it. I work at Tope tutoring the students, and I also do after school programs and summer camps with EUREKA!.

I am Tyler Nelson and I am an engineering intern here at EUREKA!. I mostly work on maintaining and creating new exhibits! The thing I love most about working here is the constant learning about how things work and how to show it to others in easy to understand ways. I grew up here in Grand Junction and am going to school in the CMU/CU Engineering Partnership studying Mechanical Engineering. A fun fact about me is that I'm dyslexic! This helps me in engineering because I can see the project as a whole 3D model in my head and change things about it before making it!  During the school year when I’m not here I’m most likely doing homework but over the summer I love being outside hiking, hammocking, and enjoying the outdoors!

Lauren is a recent high school graduate, studying Environmental Sciences at Colorado Mesa University. Lauren helps with After School programs, math tutoring, and STEAM Camps.

Maddox was born and raised in Palisade, Colorado. She proudly went through Dual Immersion Academy where she became fluent in Spanish and earned her Seal of  Biliteracy in English and Spanish. Maddox is a current junior at Palisade High School where she is  involved in yearbook, and team captain of the Girl's Golf Team. In her free time she enjoys skiing, golfing, hiking, and playing pickleball. Maddox is truly ecstatic to be a part of the EUREKA! team and is endlessly grateful to have the opportunity to work with the youth of the valley.

Anja grew up on the Front Range but came out to Grand Junction for college, where she's stayed ever since. She has two Bachelor's degrees in geology and a minor in GIS. She loves animals, rocks, the outdoors, and taking care of too many plants to count! In her free time, she likes to play board games, slackline, paddleboard, and spend time with friends. 

Make sure to say hi if you see her taking care of critters around Eureka!

My name is Kadrian Rowley and I'm a math tutor for 7th and 8th graders with EUREKA! at Mount Garfield Middle School. I was born in Nebraska, went to middle school in Utah, and finished high school in Fruita here in the valley. I graduated from CMU in 2023 with my Bachelor's in Psychology. As I take on this job here at EUREKA! I'm planning to apply for graduate school to further pursue psychology. Before finding my way to EUREKA! I worked for AmeriCorps under the Math Corps program as a math tutor for a year. I'm excited for the opportunity to work with students again, seeing as education fits strongly with my career goals for the future.

Outside of work I enjoy writing, reading, dancing, playing video games and tabletop RPGs and all that nerdy stuff. Along my path to acquiring my master's and possibly PhD, I'm also hoping to take up writing as a secondary career and publish a fantasy novel.

Hi! My name is Davis Sleigh and I am excited to be a Biology/Math tutor with EUREKA! at Grand River Academy.

I will graduate from CMU Spring 2026 with a BS in Environmental Science. I have worked with students for a large portion of my life including swim lessons, personal tutoring, and starting the snack n' study program at East Middle School. I love learning and teaching science and I plan to get my Masters in entomology after graduating. I enjoy everything outdoors from climbing, mountain biking, rafting, snowboarding and much more. 

Emilie transferred from Colorado Springs to CMU to pursue a degree in computer engineering. She has worked in child education since 2019 and enjoys sharing her enthusiasm for math and science with the kids she works with. When not in the classroom she enjoys mountain biking, hiking, and rock climbing.

Hi! My name is Gabby Ward, and I'm excited to work for Eureka! as a math tutor at Grand River Academy!

I graduated from Colorado Mesa University in 2024 with a double bachelor’s degree in pure mathematics and statistics. I started tutoring math/stats at CMU in 2022, and I am so grateful to continue my tutoring journey with Eureka! In addition to tutoring for Eureka!, I am also a math tutor/mentor for the Upward Bound program at Central High School.

Outside of work, I enjoy skiing, hiking, reading, and exploring the beautiful outdoors!

Katarina is attending Palisade High school as a junior this year! She is a summer camp educator and also helps with after school here at EUREKA!. She loves working with kids and she wants to pursue pediatrics in the future. Her favorite part about EUREKA! is talking with the kids. She spends her free time singing, reading, skiing, dancing, playing tennis and wakeboarding. Fun fact—when she was a baby she went to Switzerland to visit family at just 8 months old!

Hello! My name is Monty, and I am EUREKA!'s oldest museum resident, living at the museum for more than 12 years. Ball Pythons like me are naturally from Sub Saharan Africa, but are commonly kept as pets around the world due to our hardy nature, moderate size, and easy going temperament. As a member of the Pythonidae family, I don't have venom or even fangs! Instead I just have a row of small, sharp teeth on either side of my mouth. My favorite places to hang out are inside my flower pot where it's dark and humid, or on top of my basking rock where I can soak up the rays.

Nessie here, your favorite bearded dragon friend! I am native to the hot deserts of Central Australia, but I've lived here at the museum for the past 5 years. I get my name from my "beard" which is actually a spine covered pouch underneath my chin that I use to communicate. If I puff up my beard and it turns a dark black color, it means I'm irritated and want to be left alone. Typically though, my beard looks normal and lays flat against my chin. Even though I'm from the desert I like to take a warm bath every single day to stay clean and healthy. My favorite food is a hearty salad filled with flowers and veggies, but I also like to snack on the occasional cricket or cockroach. I love laying underneath my heat lamp to soak up the sun, but if I'm lucky I get to run around the museum!

Hi, I'm BoBo! Boreal Toads like me are really cool because we're actually native to right here in Western Colorado! Although you likely won't see us in your backyard since we like to be higher up in the mountains where it's a little cooler. Boreal Toads are actually an endangered species due to the chytrid fungus which inhibits our ability to breathe and absorb water through our skin. Don't worry though, I've been tested and I'm fungus free! Before I came to the museum, I was part of a conservation team here in Grand Junction trying to release healthy individuals into the wild. I didn't go out into the wild with the rest of my mates because I have a small spinal deformity affecting the way I hop around. It's okay though because I get to be here educating you all about my species! Plus I have a very comfy enclosure that has everything I need in it. Even though I can't aim very well, worms are my favorite treats when I can catch them!

Hello, my name is Calypso, and I'm a Veiled Chameleon! I'm an arboreal lizard, meaning I will spend my entire life in the tree canopy climbing from branch to branch, rarely ever making it all the way down to the ground. My zygodactylous feet are so good at grabbing, that I even like to sleep while holding on to a branch! There are many different kinds of chameleons, but my specific species is native to the high, dry plateaus near the border of Yemen and Saudi Arabia. However, our generalist diet and hardy nature allows us to live in other parts of the world like Hawaii and Florida, where we are considered an invasive species. Chameleons have a very unique tongue that can accelerate from 0 to 100 kilometers per hour in one-hundredth of a second, twice as fast as the fastest car! Additionally, I have a sticky pad at the end of my tongue with glue-like saliva that can catch insects for me to eat. I can also change the color of my skin, but I rarely do so for camouflage purposes, instead using it to reflect my mood. My typical green color still makes it hard to find me hiding among the leaves, see if you can spot me next time you're at the museum!

Hi I'm Blueberry, EUREKA!'s newest resident! Blue Tongue Skinks get our name from our bright blue tongue that we use as a defense mechanism to warn predators that we do not want to be messed with. I am native to the southern islands of Indonesia, but there are other species of Blue Tongue Skink that live on neighboring islands including New Guinea and Australia. My small legs aren't great for climbing, but my sharp claws are great at digging, so you'll usually find me on the ground or in a burrow. When it comes to food, I am considered omnivorous, meaning I will eat just about anything in front of me including snails, slugs, insects, spiders, flowers, leafy greens, fruit, vegetables, and even sometimes small rodents. Yes, that does include my favorite blueberries as the occasional treat!