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.

Bree joined Eureka! in July 2017 as the Education Director. She is excited to have the opportunity to combine her program development experience with her passion for experiential learning in the outdoors. Bree is looking forward to creating meaningful learning opportunities that will engage current and new participants in STEAM programs throughout Mesa County and beyond. She hopes that through offering a variety of educational programs, Eureka! will have something for everyone and that participants will gain a better understanding of the world around them.

Prior to coming to Eureka!, Bree was involved with recreation program development for the City of Fruita, the Town of Breckenridge, and the City of Loveland Recreation Departments. Through these experiences, she created and maintained partnerships with outside organizations to offer a variety of programs ranging from state licensed summer day camps to afterschool programs to outdoor education camps to special events, she worked with stakeholders to create and implement new programs that met the community’s needs, and she worked with the Keystone Science Center to implement a county-wide after-school initiative in Breckenridge. Bree holds a Colorado K-12 Physical Education teaching license, a Master’s Degree in Outdoor Education, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Kinesiology.

In her free time, Bree enjoys trail running, hiking, ice hockey, stand up paddle boarding, skiing (water, tele, and cross country), photography, scrapbooking, and spending time with her husband Jon, sons Emmett & Austen, and their dog, Cisco.

Tom Nelson joined Eureka! in April 2016. In the early days of the Math and Science Center, he was among John McConnell's earliest students, and was inspired at an early age to study, tinker, take things apart, and put them back together. Now, after earning his B.A. in Business Administration and certification in data systems from Colorado Mesa University, Tom is proud to be part of the Eureka! team, working to inspire a passion for learning just as John McConnell inspired in him, and to continue to build the legacy that has become the EUREKA! McConnell Science Museum.

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.

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.

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!

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.

Hello! My name is Meghan Beale. I am currently a senior at CMU studying elementary education. Teaching is something I have always wanted to do and I am so excited to teach with EUREKA! and learn more about education every day!

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

Good morning/afternoon/night! My name is Jose Alejandro, or Alex, Ceballos. I am a passionate, caring young man who just graduated high school. I will also be a first generation college student in the fall; for now, however, I am super excited to be working with all the kids this summer and planting the seed for their ultimate growth in math and science! Some of my interests include fitness and nutrition, self-improvement books, music, and clash royale! Kids are not the future; they are the present. I will be caring and investing in them as I would want someone else to do for my kids.

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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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Hello! My name is Susan, and I am a senior at CMU studying English Secondary Teaching. I’ve worked with kids for years, and I have the privilege of student teaching in District 51. I am excited to teach a variety of summer camps this summer and prepare for my career as a teacher.

Hey! My name’s Adrianna, and I’m a Music Education major here at CMU. I’m going into my senior year and am student teaching in the fall of 2020. Education is my passion, nurturing a child’s natural curiosity is vital to our society. I’m from Loveland, Colorado, but born in California and moved to Colorado when I was 10. I am a percussionist, I play the baritone, and am a huge geek! Talk to me about Dungeons and Dragons, Powerlifting, Superheroes, and Star Wars!

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! I currently attend Tulane University in New Orleans. I am majoring in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology on the pre-med track. I grew up in the area and have many memories exploring the McConnell Science Museum (before it moved to the CMU campus)! I am very excited to be working with Eureka! I love working with kids, especially when I can share my passion for learning! During my free time, I love to go hiking, read, and bake cookies.

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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!.

My name is Marshall McKown. I am a Business Administration major at CMU. I am also a shot put, discus, and hammer thrower for the Maverick Track and Field team. I am a first-generation college student-athlete. I want to work with young minds because I want to be a positive influence in their lives. I had a lot of great mentors early on in life and I want to give back to the kids the way my role models have given back to me!

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.

I am going into my senior year as a history education major. I am passionate about education and using hands on lessons to engage students in any subject, but especially in math and science. I have been a frequent visitor to EUREKA! since elementary school, and I am excited to share my love for this museum and science education with young students! Outside of work, I love hiking with my dogs, traveling, and playing music!

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Hi! I’m Chris, and I’m currently studying biochemistry at CMU. I also work as a tutor during the fall and spring semesters. After finishing my bachelor’s degree, I plan to go to graduate school and do research on Type I Diabetes. In my free time I enjoy watching movies, reading, drinking coffee, and getting outside with my dog, Kona (she is a very encouraging coach for my disk-golfing, and makes sure to bring back the disc every time so I can try my throw again). I also like attending any sort of live music events, although jazz is a personal favorite, and pretending to be a musician myself (but I only subject Kona to having to listen to me).

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 recent graduate from Colorado Mesa University. I spent my four years at CMU playing both indoor and beach volleyball while pursuing my degree in Elementary Education. I am originally from Phoenix, Arizona and have lived in the Grand Junction for the past four years. I’m excited to share my love for learning with all of our EUREKA! Campers!