HUTCHINSON, Kan
. – Tracey Tomme joined the Cosmosphere’s team as Director of Education, with the role of driving the institution’s commitment to STEM education initiatives.
In-keeping with the Cosmosphere’s new direction for the future outlined in the major revitalization master plan approved in June 2014, Tomme will work to position the Cosmosphere as a premiere center for applied science education. Additionally, she will work with Cosmosphere staff, the Education department, and leadership to develop interactive STEM-based programming.
Tomme grew up near Fort Worth, Texas, and graduated from Texas Tech University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Animal Science. She received her Master’s in Education from the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs before earning her teaching certification for California, Texas, Colorado and Department of Defense schools. She has taught second to fourth grade and middle school science at five different schools. Tomme joined the Challenger Learning Center of Colorado as an educator in 2003, and in 2006 was hand-selected by her Board of Directors as President/CEO of the Colorado Consortium for Earth and Space Science Education (CCESSE), the company responsible for running Challenger Learning Center. In that position, she helped take the Challenger Learning Center, which was struggling financially, and turn it into the premier provider of STEM educational outreach in southern Colorado, instituting programs that dramatically increased the organization’s fiscal reserves.
“We’re thrilled to have Tracey join our team,” said Richard Hollowell, Cosmosphere CEO. “Her passion for inspiring and educating is incredible, and we’re confident her leadership in the Education department will help the Cosmosphere honor its new mission for the next 50 years.”
Boston-based Verner Johnson, Inc, the firm responsible for developing the Cosmosphere’s revitalization master plan, indicated in their research that science museums traditionally provide educational programs directed at inspiring and engaging young participants, building interest in science in order to motivate them to seek further education. At present, more than 12,000 students take field trips to the Cosmosphere annually, and the STEM-based camp program has more than 17,000 graduates to date.
While Cosmosphere education programs have included a STEM component, future plans will require stronger STEM initiatives in existing programs and the creation of new STEM-related programs.
With the appointment of Tomme as Director of Education, the Cosmosphere will begin collaboration with educators, administrators and field experts in the development of content-rich STEM programs.