Andrew Warnock, Ph.D. — Director
Andrew had the good fortune to attend the Laboratory School at the University of Chicago for his primary education. John Dewey founded this experimental school in 1896 to explore his new constructivist approaches to education that included nature study, hands-on discovery, scientific inquiry, and creative play. The science program in the 1970’s was still heavily influenced by Dewey. One science teacher in particular, Illa Podendorf, designed innovative hands-on science curricula that were illustrated by Andrew’s next door neighbor, Robert Borja. May Theilgaard Watts’ take on Nature Study was also part of his early education and left a lasting impression on him. Today, Andrew strives to build on these legacies by designing rich hands-on scientific research experiences for families and secondary school students in close collaboration with CSU faculty.
andrew.warnock@colostate.edu | (970) 491-2845 | NESB B301a | ResearchGate | LinkedIn
Courtney Gooding Butler, B.S. — Assistant Director
Courtney’s interests revolve around encouraging more students to enter into local, regional, state, and international science fairs. She advises prospective math and science teachers who are enrolled in the Bachelor’s of Science in Natural Sciences program. She also serves at the Director for the Colorado Science and Engineering Fair.
courtney.butler@colostate.edu | (970) 491-7716 | NESB B311 | LinkedIn
César Fuentes, B.A. — Teacher-in-Residence
Mr. Fuentes teaches 4th grade at Harris Billingual Immersion Elementary School and has been assisting us with the Triunfo Mentoring Program for over a decade. He was awarded teacher of the year in 2019 in the Poudre School District.
cfuentes@psdschools.org | (970) 488-5209 | LinkedIn
Vicky Jordan, B.S. — Teacher-in-Residence
As a master science teacher, Vicky Jordan inspired an entire generation of students to explore their world using curiosity, logic, and reason. “Science is FUN!” could be heard in her classroom every day. Vicky has taught pre-service teachers, supervised student teachers, mentored experienced teachers, and was named the National Science Teachers Association Distinguished Teacher in 2016. At the EOC, you will find Vicky enthusiastically creating STEM kits for secondary students based on current research happening on campus, assisting with Triunfo and STEM Fridays, and mentoring the next generation of science and math teachers.
vicky.jordan@colostate.edu | (970) 491-0907 | NESB B315 | LinkedIn
Mary Richmond – Teacher-in-Residence
Mary has been involved in the center for her entire career and has been a strong proponent for involving students and teachers in authentic scientific research. She joined our team in 2022 to help us translate faculty research into mini experiences that students can be inspired by.
Dave Swartz, B.S. – Teacher-in-Residence
Dave has been working with us on the GetWET program since its inception in 2004. He was the 2011-2012 academic year Math-Science Partnership (MSP) TiR and we got to work with him on infiltration activities. Dave retired from Poudre School District in 2017. He rejoined the team in 2023.
Michael Viney, M.S. — Teacher-in-Residence
Mike Viney helps develop STEM kits designed to engage intermediate and secondary level students with science experiments related to real research being conducted at CSU. Viney’s core teaching goal is to nurture human curiosity and a healthy skepticism—encouraging students to develop a habit of mind that includes asking the question, “How do you know that?” Viney brings 30 years of classroom experience to the EOC team.
mike.viney@colostate.edu | (970) 491-0907 | NESB B315 | LinkedIn
