Jason Marcks - Executive Director
Jason is a former high school Earth and space science teacher, He has a MS in Geoscience and is currently working on a Masters of Aeronautical Science in space launch management. He has served as the professional development director and lead instructor for the Wisconsin Initiative for Math, Science and Technology Education program, the Nevada Science of Aerospace Project, and the Oklahoma Science, Technology, and Education Program. He is an adjunct faculty member at the University of Wisconsin Green Bay and Northwestern State University where he teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in science.   Jason was recently recognized for his professional accomplishments being named as the 2005 Frank G. Brewer Award winner for excellence in aerospace education.

Eric Brunsell - Robotics Educational Specialist
Eric is an Assistant Professor of Science Education at the University or Wisconsin - Oshkosh with an Ed.D. in Science Education from Montana State University - Bozeman. Eric Brunsell has conducted more than 60 professional development workshops in the past seven years. He was also been responsible for the development of Space Explorers, Inc.’s Moonlink, NEARlink, Marslink, and Orbital Laboratory® educational products.

Holly Liss - Program Coordinator and Logistical Specialist
Holly holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Development and Psychology from the University of Wisconsin - Green Bay. She provides all logistical and technical support for SEI educational programs as well as managing all scientific equipment upgrades and maintenance.

Please contact any staff member via email using the links above.

Carmen Leuthner – Aerospace Education Specialist and Youth Camp Instructor
Carmen is the Director of Education Outreach programs and adjunct instructor at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. A former middle-school science teacher with a masters degree in curriculum and instruction, Carmen works with area educators in Northeast Wisconsin to provide research-based, hands-on professional development opportunities that promote best practices in teaching and make a positive impact on learning. For the past five years, Carmen has worked with Space Education Initiatives as a teacher in the Wisconsin Initiative for Math, Science and Technology Education (WIMSTE) program. She also serves as a member of the Board of Directors for the Institute for Learning Partnership and as a Board Member and space science unit trainer for The Einstein Project. She was recently recognized with the 2005 Professional Continuing Educator Award of Excellence by the University Continuing Education Association Mid-America Region.

Mike Thompson – Youth Camp Instructor
Mike has been an 8th grade teacher at Whitnall Middle School in Greenfield, WI where he teaches Physical Science and Algebra since 1999. He attended UW-Whitewater and is currently working on his masters in science education. Mike has been associated with Space Education Initiatives since 2002 through various workshops, academies and camps. In addition to teaching, he is also the head girls Track & Field and Cross Country coach at Whitnall High School.

Jeff Kubel –Earth Science Specialist and Youth Camp Instructor
Jeff has taught physical science, Earth Science and Physics for 20 years and holds a BS in General Science and Geology the University of Wisconsin Platteville as well as a Masters of Science Degree from Marion College. He has served as the Science department chair at South Milwaukee High School for the past eight years and the varsity golf coach for the past six.

Tirzah Zipperer – Aerospace Education Specialist and Youth Camp Instructor
Tirzah received a Bachelors of Science Degree in Biology and Environmental Education from the University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point she has also earned Masters of Science Degree in Education from the University of Wisconsin, La Crosse. She currently teaches 6th grade at Cumberland Middle School Wisconsin’s only NASA Explorer School. 

Adam Keeton - Earth Science Specialist
Adam teaches Earth Science and Biology at North High School in Eau Claire.  He earned his science teaching degree from UWEC and is working towards his masters in science education.  A big fan of Astronomy and Geology, Adam is a certified to work with staff at JPL and the Lewis Center for Educational Research to collect and analyze data using a DSS 12 radio telescope.  He and his students can then communicate their research and findings with NASA/JPL scientists as part of the Deep Space Network.  Adam is also an active outside of the classroom acting as coach for the schools Academic Decathlon and Junior Varsity Baseball teams.

Angela Krause – Aerospace Education Specialist
Angela Krause holds a bachelor’s degree in Biology with minors in Chemistry and German. In 2004, she completed her master’s degree in Science Education with an emphasis in Biology. She currently teaches General Biology, Biotechnology, Microbiology, Anatomy and Physiology, and an integrated space class called Astrobiophysics. In addition to science courses, Angela has taught German (8-12) and an exploratory language course, consisting of German, Japanese, and Spanish. As the science department chairperson at Menomonie (WI) High School she has a keen interest in seeing teachers participate in professional development opportunities to enrich their enthusiasm for science and teaching, thus exciting students to pursue science with eagerness. Having been passionate for the space program since childhood, it was with great honor that Angela applied to become an astronaut with NASA’s Educator Astronaut Program. Through this, she has joined an elite group of teachers in NASA’s Network of Educator Astronaut Teachers (NEAT). Her participation with NEAT, has provided Angela with numerous opportunities to be trained in space education concepts and to share her passion for space with students, teachers, and community groups.

Our Board Members

Thomas Olejniczak, Chairman of the Board
Thomas M. Olejniczak is a founding partner in Green Bay's largest law firm. He is a graduate of St. Norbert College and Marquette University Law School. Mr. Olejniczak serves as a member of the Boards of Directors of the Green Bay Packers, Inc., M & I Bank Green Bay, St. Norbert College where he is also the Chair of the Board of Trustees, Green Bay area Catholic High School Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Green Bay Ecumenical Foundation.

Alicia Baturoni, Vice Chairman
Affiliated Companies: Planners Collaborative, Industial Initiatives for Science and Math Education
Alicia Baturoni works as an Education Manager for the San Francisco Bay Area's non-profit, Industry Initiatives for Science and Math Education (IISME), and as the Program Manager for the NASA Ames Airspace Systems Education Cohort (ASEC). She received her B.A. from the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, and her M.S. in Science Education from Lawrence Technological University. Alicia brings nearly 10 years of teaching experience to her work designing professional development programs based in science inquiry for K-16 educators. After spending six years as a 6th grade math and science teacher in Walled Lake, MI, Alicia moved to the non-profit sector for three years as an education specialist for Space Education Initiatives and worked as adjunct education faculty at the University of Wisconsin. She holds her professional teaching certificate for the State of Michigan in grades K-8 certified in Science, Language Arts, and Social Science and continues to work with students at the high school level in the Bay Area.

George D. French, Jr., Secretary/Treasurer
Affiliated Companies: Space Explorers, Inc. Orde Advertising Inc., Hotel Du Nord, SignNet

Alan Binder
Affiliated Companies: Lunar Research Institute
Dr. Alan Binder is a Lunar and Planetary Scientist with more than 40 years of experience working with NASA and European space programs. He was the Principal Investigator of the NASA-sponsored Lunar Prospector Mission and is the Principal Investigator of the Lunar Prospector Data Analysis program. He was also Principal Investigator for the 1976 Viking Mars Lander Missions, which made the first successful unmanned landings on Mars.

Andrew Chaikin
Science journalist, author and speaker Andrew Chaikin is an internationally renowned authority on space exploration. His books include the best-selling chronicle of the Apollo moon missions, A Man on the Moon, the main basis for Tom Hank's Emmy-winning HBO miniseries, From the Earth to the Moon. He brings the exitement of space exploration to schools, corporate events, and public events.

John Surendonk
Affiliated Companies: Racine Unified School District, University of Wisconsin – Parkside
John is the Planetarium Director and Elementary Science Coordinator for the Racine Unified School District. He is also an adjunct professor teaching “Foundations in Science” as well as a number of teacher outreach courses at UW-Parkside. Additionally, he is Co-Director of the Chiwaukee Teacher Academy and Principal Investigator of a Title II, Part B Partnership grant between Racine Unified and UW-Parkside. John has presented numerous workshops in Wisconsin and around the nation. He has been the recipient of the Distinguished Teaching Award from Wisconsin Elementary and Middle Level Science Teachers, a Kohl Fellowship, and Wisconsin Special Services Teacher of the Year from the Department of Public Instruction and Wisconsin Association of School Boards.

Cindy Byers
Cindy is a Middle School Teacher in Rosholt, Wisconsin. She has been associated with Space Education Initiatives as a workshop participant and instructor for the past 5 years. Cindy has taught Middle School Science and Reading for the past 13 years, before that she was a grade four teacher in Oconto, Wisconsin. In 2004 Cindy was awarded a Herb Kohl Teacher Fellowship. Most recently she was named a "2006 Excellent Educator" through the Wisconsin Center for Academically Talented Youth, and received a "2006 Exemplary Teaching and Leadership Award" from the Marathon County Special Education Department. Her friends call her a space geek, though she also enjoys bike riding, swimming and hiking with her husband Tim and their two children.