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 daughters Madalyn and Acadia.

Briana (aka “B”) joined the Eureka! team in Sept. 2018. She is excited to engage people of all ages with STEAM through field trips, birthday parties, visits to the museum and more.

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 High School in Grand Junction.

In winter, B can be found ski patrolling at Powderhorn. The rest of the year she loves exploring with her husband, Paul and kids, Wren and Fisher.

Christina joined Eureka! in August 2018 as the STEAM instructor. 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 for graduate school, and became a member of the first graduating class of the Master of Arts in Teaching Earth Science program at The American Museum of Natural History. All of her formal training as a science teacher was completed at this world renowned science museum, and taught by the museum’s curators and educational experts.

Following graduate school, Christina taught Earth Science to 10th graders at a high school in Sunset Park, Brooklyn for 2 years. And, then spent 2 years teaching general science at an all-girls public charter middle school in the South Bronx. 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.

Christina is so excited to have moved to Grand Junction and joined the Eureka! team, where she hopes to help grow the educational programs. In her free time she likes hiking, trail running, gardening, cooking, and traveling with her husband, Kishan.

Originally from Minnesota, Phaedra completed her B.S. in Biomedical Engineering at the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago, is currently working towards an advanced certification in Nutrition Education, and joined EUREKA! in early 2019. A rat lover, you will most likely find her with one (or more!) of the resident rats Ernest, Emile, or Franklin in tow. When not practicing Muay Thai or jiu jitsu, Phaedra spends her free time gardening, hiking, backpacking and running in the mountains, and playing with her furry family of cats, rats, and goats.

Hello all, my name is Austin Solko, and I am a recent alumnus of CMU. I obtained my degree in Biological Sciences with a concentration of Ecology and Organismal Sciences. I have run summer camps for seven years already, and am loving adding all of the science backgrounds to these camps! I’m from Aurora, CO but have lived on the Western Slope for most of my life now. I enjoy anything that involves being outside including camping, hiking, biking, slacklining, rafting, climbing, playing, and riding my motorcycle!

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.

Hello! My name is Maeve Bowdish, I recently moved to Grand Junction from Northern New York, where I was born and raised. It is also the location of my alma mater, St. Lawrence University, where I recently graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Geology. During my undergraduate career I was fortunate enough to travel to Iceland, New Zealand and several locations throughout the U.S. to study the local geology. I am very excited to bring my knowledge in the earth sciences as well as my enthusiasm for learning to EUREKA! as an Assistant Instructor during the spring and summer of 2019!

Hey! My name is Rachael Helvoigt, I recently graduated from Fort Lewis College with a degree in general engineering. I grew up in Durango CO and loved living there as it allowed for many opportunities for adventure; But I am so excited to be living in Grand Junction now as it provides even more opportunities for exploration. In my free time I enjoy experiencing new things, going on adventures, and building things. It usually ends up being Lego's or some variation of building kits, but I’m open to any kind of tinkering challenge. I’m so excited to get to work at EUREKA! every day, and share my love of learning and discovery with kids, since I often feel like I’m one myself, just a bit taller.

Even though Ben is a Grand Junction native, he graduated from Montana State University with a BS in Microbiology and has spent the last few years in North Brooklyn. After years of traveling and experiencing many of the wonderful things this planet has to offer, he has returned home with an even larger passion for life with all the adventures and challenges it presents, as well as an increased passion for living in the desert. The math and science center first ignited his passion for science, and he relishes the opportunity to give back to the museum and help inspire the young minds of today. Ben has shown that it is possible to have your cake and eat it too as an entrepreneur, musician, writer and avid adventurer. He hopes to share these passions with you!

Hi! My name is Ben Hastings and I am a senior at CMU. I am majoring in Cellular, Molecular and Developmental Biology and double minoring in Chemistry and Forensic Science. With my major, I hope to go to graduate school and get a PHD in Human Genetics. I am very passionate about Biology and Chemistry and I love sharing my passion with others. I can't wait to spread my love of science and allow the younger generation to reach that same passion!

Hello, my name is Nicholas Tibbs, I recently graduated with my BA in Psychology from Humboldt State University. I grew up in a little small farming town called Manti in the middle of Utah where I spent my time playing sports and hunting. I have worked a variety of jobs over the years, from a sue chef at a ski resort in Lake Tahoe to a program director at the Boys and Girls Club in Humboldt County.  New to Grand Junction I am excited to continue doing what I love and be working with kids. Outside of work my interests includes almost everything that involves the outdoors. When I am not working you will find me snowboarding, rock climbing, hiking, camping or off-roading in my 4runner with my puppy Appa.

I was born in Grand Junction and have lived on the Western Slope for most of my life. As an Environmental Science Major at CMU, I enjoy spending my time exploring the outdoors through hiking and mountain biking. I am passionate about providing a fun learning experience in and out of the classroom. I live by the “Work Hard, Be Nice” motto

Hello! I am currently a sophomore at CMU majoring in Exercise Science and minoring in Chemistry. I loved coming to the Math and Science Center as a child and I am excited to pass that love on to the next generation! I have a passion for medicine and I plan on pursuing a future career in the medical field. In my free time I enjoy reading, road trips, and my two cats.

Hi! I'm a student at Colorado Mesa University and I am majoring in Biology with a minor in Chemistry. I enjoy art, math, science and being around kids. I can't wait to inspire children about these things I'm passionate in.

Hello! I currently attend CMU, I am a first generation college student, and am studying human resources, business. I am a local product of Grand Junction, I graduated from GJHS, I am fluent in Spanish, and I am 18. I spent my youth going to the MASC for school field trips. I am a student athlete with the track and field team at CMU (hammer throw). I have also coached for Mesa County Junior Football for 5 years, and played for 13 years. I love working with children. I love watching their character grow. My work through football and here at MASC has helped them progress in life; I value academics, because athletics can only go so far. Your brain can take you anywhere. The kids are our future, so they require all of the resources to succeed. Every child needs an outside role model; I hope that myself, and my co-workers, can be those role models for your children. I love awful jokes, football and basketball. My favorite teams are the Steelers and the Bulls.

Hi! I was raised in Grand Junction and have came to Eureka! camps for as long as I can remember. I enjoy giving back to my community through the teaching of kids and really love to show kids different ways to be creative. When I am not at Eureka! I am usually playing soccer or playing my drum set at home or with my band. I am a first generation college student majoring in Computer Science with a minor in Spanish.

Hello! My name is Katie Brodie and I am from Steamboat Springs, CO. I am a senior at Colorado Mesa University and will be graduating with an undergraduate degree in Biochemistry. In my spare time, I enjoy being outdoors, playing soccer, and skiing in the winter season. I have been an Alpine Ski Instructor for four seasons and an American Red Cross Certified Swim Instructor for 6 years. I am currently enrolled in an EMT certification course with plans to pursue a career in the medical field after gaining clinical experience as a Medical Assistant at Sleeping Bear Pediatrics and as a member of Ski Patrol in Steamboat. I have a passion for teaching children and cannot wait to help the younger generation explore the world of science!

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Hello! My name is Caleb Cotten. I am going to be a senior at Colorado Mesa, studying Sport Management with a minor in Business Administration. I have been coaching basketball in the Grand Valley for over three years. I have coached more than 100 kids through Jr. High and High School. I enjoy seeing kids grow and become the best versions of themselves. I am very excited to work with the campers here at Eureka!

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Hello! My name is Samantha and I am pursuing my bachelor's degree in biology, as well as a minor in environmental science. I'm from New Hampshire, where I quickly grew to love nature and the beauty it emanates. In the past I was active in the performing arts, however presently I am all encompassed with being outdoors!

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I'm Regina Martin, and I've lived in Grand Junction for about four years. I'm a freshman at Colorado Mesa University majoring in Biology and minoring in Botany. When I'm not stuck in the library, I love hanging in the outdoors; hiking, mountain biking, camping, rock climbing, the works! I'm so excited to teach camps, and learn from my experiences here at Eureka!.

Hi! My name is Nicole Mejia-Mendoza, and I am a from Eagle, CO. I am a Junior at CMU and studying Geoscience Secondary Education. I enjoy being outdoors, playing volleyball, soccer and spending quality time with my family and friends. I am bilingual and I have a great passion in working with kids. I am a officer for the American Association of Petroleum Geologists club on campus and also representative for the Latino Student Alliance. I am very happy and blessed to be apart of the Eureka team!

Hello! My name is Kate, and I am a Math/Secondary Education major at CMU. I am a Colorado local and a graduate from GJHS. I am passionate about exploring the wonders and thrills of math and science with young learners! In my spare time, I enjoy playing volleyball and ultimate frisbee, singing, playing piano, hiking, exploring new places, and spending quality time with family and friends.

Hello! I am a sophomore at CMU studying Cellular, Molecular and Developmental Biology. I will go to medical school after undergrad and I am interested in surgery and integrative medicine. In High school, I taught children how to swim and in college, I am teaching children how to be thoughtful scientists. In my free time, I play chess online, read, and play water polo with our school's team.

Hello! I am currently a junior in the CMU/CU mechanical engineering program here at CMU. I am originally from Colorado Springs and came here for school. I am very passionate at getting more young girls interested in pursuing STEAM careers, which I am excited to do here at Eureka!. I am excited to show kids how fun and exciting STEAM can be. In my free time you can find me out on the trails going for runs, in the yoga studio, or snuggled up at home with a good book.

Hello! I am currently a third year at CMU majoring in Civil Engineering. I have passion for math and science! I love to solve real world problems and am super excited to use my major to do that! I am passionate about sharing my love for math and science with the kiddos of the next generation. In my free time I love to read, hike, and ski.