Category: In The News

So, What's the Plan?

8/8/2016

Roxanna and Joel Thomas
Reenactment Costumes

We have a dream to start a small business with local roots, give back to communities across Oregon, inspire teachers and students to explore the sciences and art, and move from PASSION to ACTION.

I was born and raised in Newberg, Oregon. Throughout elementary school I was blessed with fantastic teachers. Many of them had a passion for the sciences and hands-on learning as did my family.

I am now an elementary school teacher specializing in science education and I can tell you many Oregon schools are hurting for well-equipped science classrooms. Teachers often lack the confidence to lead messy labs with real world applications. We're passionate about changing this in whatever way we can. My grandmother had this favorite song, “Brighten the Corner Where You Are” and I have taken it to heart. Roxanna and I believe it is our purpose to do what we can for others in this world.

Isn't the goal of education to equip and inspire the next generation?

We have found we can bring our contagious PASSION for the sciences into every school we enter. My wife and I are putting together a traveling business bringing hands-on and messy STEAM education into schools. We have been experimenting with this for the last four years and believe we can bring teacher training opportunities, family science nights, assembly presentations and classes to schools across Oregon.

To make this dream a reality we need your help. We are not new to this and have been traveling to schools presenting at assemblies and science nights for four years already. We personally own around $25,000 worth of science teaching equipment at this time. This accounts for around 60 learning stations and class activities. However we’ve been borrowing a small trailer and a truck to make these experimental school visits. We have been serving as educators for a kids camp for the past 10 years and do not have the money to purchase a trailer large enough to store Glen's Gizmos and a truck to pull it. We also wish to purchase all of the 200+ Gizmo Boards gathering dust from Glen Mills to continue his legacy.

We plan on running a KickStarter fundraiser online to crowd fund the business and build additional connections across Oregon. Help us connect with communities across the state and bring us to your community!

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