Mary picture

MARY MOLLICONI, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Educational Background:
Bachelors of Arts Degree in Communications and Art

Professional background:
20 years of management and higher education administration experience.  During that time served as a  track coach working with long and triple jumpers where I coached 59 All Americans and 10 National Champions. Joined the Army Reserves while I was in college and served for 10 years working in the administration and retention areas.

Why you like working at EEC:

I am passionate about children and education. Having the opportunity to impact the way people and children think about and perceive science is exciting. Having the opportunity to take the Edgerton Explorit Center to new level of greatness is amazing.

Hobbies and Interests:
Spending time with my husband, Dan, my son, Jacob, and two dogs, Rylie and Josey. Anything competitive. I have been an athlete and coached on the high school and college level for 20 years. I am competitive to a fault and do not like to lose at anything I do.

Hometown:
Graduated from Logan View Jr/Sr High School in Hooper, NE.

Favorite Scientist:
Leonardo Da Vinci. I love his fascination with science and his in-depth study of human anatomy.

Favorite Weird Science thing:
The aurora borealis. It is like a form of art. All of the magnetic and electrical forces react with one another in constantly shifting combinations. These shifts and flows can be seen as the auroras “dance,” moving along with the atmospheric currents.

Contact:
402-694-4032
mary@edgerton.org

Nicole Havlik

Educator/Mad Scientist

Nicole Havlik

Educational Background: Bachelors of English with Writing emphasis, Hastings College

Why like working at ECC?: I love learning about science and then being able to share it with others while learning from others as well. There is a fun, encouraging, and helpful atmosphere to be in, and there is always something new going on.

Hobbies, interest, spare time: writing, reading, watching a movie, and creating hairstyles

Favorite scientist: Ted Fujita – scientist and researcher of severe storms also known for creating the Fujita Scale that tornadoes used to be measured by.

Favorite weird science things: Weather! The Midwest is known for some wacky weather and it is hard to predict precisely, but the clouds that we see every day are good hints of what’s to come.

Judy Schachenmeyer

Part Time Educator and Volunteer

Judy Schachenmeyer

Educational background:  Business College and Beauty School

Professional Background:   Retired small business owner & operator.

Why I like working at the Edgerton Center:  I like working with kids.

Hobbies:  Cooking, baking, reading, playing cards

John Boeder

John Boeder

Educator/Mad Scientist

John Boeder

Home town: Luxemburg WI

Education: BS in Agricultural Education 6-12 from UW-River Falls

Professional Background Teacher, Executive Chef

Why I like working at The Edgerton:  Working at the Edgerton is a new adventure every day.  No two day are alike.  It is fun and exciting to work with students and show them how much fun learning can be.

Hobbies: Cooking, Running Ultra marathons(50 miles,12 hrs, 50K), gardening, hunting, and fishing.

Favorite Scientist: Marie Curie she is the only person ever to win a Nobel Prize in both physics and chemistry

Deb Miller

Educator/Mad Scientist debm@edgerton.org or cell 402-694-1331

Deb Miller

Hometown:  Cozad, NE
Educational Background: BA in K-12 Education

Professional Background: Certified Nebraska Master Naturalist, Volunteer for Raptor Recovery,  Teacher and Volleyball Coach, Restorative Therapy Aide

Why you like working at the Edgerton Center:   Learn through playing what a great thing to do everyday!  To see children come here with such energy and learn that science is fun.   We have a great staff and board of directors!

Favorite scientist:  Albert Einstein, “There are only two ways to live your life.  One is as though nothing is a miracle.  The other is as if everything is.”  If I only had one small portion of his knowledge!

Favorite Weird Science Thing:  While you eat a slice of pie how close to the crust do you get before the slice falls backwards?

Joe Almont

Front Desk & The Kinex Guy, joe@edgerton.org

Joe Almont

Educational Background: Boxelder Job Corps, Certificate in Computers

Professional Background: 16 years janitorial work, 7 years of computers, certified bus driver

Why you like working at the Edgerton Center: It is a place that is enjoyable to come to everyday.  I’m still learning every day!

Hobbies, interests, spare time: Video games, car fanatic, building things and spending time with my family. I built the giant Kinex Ferris Wheel in the rotunda.

Favorite scientist: Bill Nye, he is the person who got me interested in science.  Edison and Einstein are close behind because they show anything is possible.  Thomas Edison favorite quote of mine is, ‘I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”