Coach Biographies

Gary Curtis: Co- Owner

Degrees earned: Bachelor Degree University of Whitewater

Gary Curtis is a husband, father, engineering enthusiast, and business owner.  Gary spent many years in a career of sales but his heart has always been in hands-on engineering projects!  He loves to work on cars, build and fix anything his family might need, as well as tinker with all things electronic.  He brings his love of hands-on learning and children together as a co-owner of STEM for Kids, Wisconsin.  He is thrilled to be working in his old stomping grounds of southern Wisconsin.  He looks forward to sharing this exciting adventure with his many children (six in all!)

Tom Nesler

Degrees earned: UW_Whitewater, General Business with minor in Data Processing

Other Interests: Tom enjoys reading, music, web design and programming

Why Stem for Kids: As a home schooling father, I always enjoyed teaching my children, doing hands on experiments and teaching Math and Science. STEM for Kids allows me to share my passion for science and programming with children in a way that is fun and educational.

Tallulah S

Degrees earned: Computer Science major at Beloit College

Other Interests: She enjoys reading classics, learning Russian, playing games and teaching

Why STEM for Kids:  I started coding by sitting alone on my computer in high school, reading tutorials, and figuring out what I could on my own. And while that left some gaps that luckily my college has been able to fill, I still learned many valuable skills, primarily, anyone can learn how to code. And, more importantly, everyone should. I’m so excited to be able to share the things that I’ve learned, both professionally and on my own, with kids of all ages, and I’m excited that by the time they go to college, they’ll probably know more than I will when I graduate, because that’s how quickly it’s all moving. I’m also hoping that I can provide a positive figure for young girls in STEM, and hope that I can help pave the way for all of them to grow up and blast everything we’ve done before out of the water.

 

Alex C

Degrees earned: Pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Biology Education, grades 6-12 at UW Whitewater.

Other Interests: She enjoys horseback riding, movies, and spending time outdoors learning about the environment.

Why STEM for Kids: I love to see kids excited about and engaged in science and learning!

Kasy H

Degrees earned: University of Wisconsin Whitewater bachelor’s degree in Biology and is pursuing a degree in Broad Science Secondary Education.  

Other Interests:  She enjoys hiking, camping, and sewing.

Why STEM for Kids:  Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics are so important to our world today.  I want to encourage kids to get involved in these types of activities at young age so they are not intimidated by them and can develop a love and passion for STEM.

Emma

Degrees earned:  Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from University of Wisconsin Madison, Advanced Nursing Assistant certification from Blackhawk Technical College, and pursuing a Secondary Education Master’s  degree from University of Wisconsin Whitewater.

Other Interests: 

Why STEM for Kids: 

Kaitlin2017

Kaitlyn C

Degrees earned:  University of Wisconsin, Whitewater. Currently finishing a duel degree program pursuing a Secondary Mathematics BSE and Physics BS with a Graduate School Emphasis with plans to graduate May 2017. I will also be completing the requirements to be certified to teach secondary physics as well as mathematics upon graduation.

Other Interests:  I love the outdoors; camping, hiking, etc. My favorite place that I have traveled to is Glacier National Park. I also am a huge dog lover and the proud owner of a little rescue dog, Cecil (pictured with me). 

Why STEM for Kids: STEM for Kids offers the perfect opportunity for me to practice discovery and project-based learning which I have grown extremely passionate about and plan to implement in my future classrooms. This involves challenging kids to discover their knowledge by doing rather than just being told. The programs offered by STEM for Kids create critical thinkers who are not only encouraged to use their creativity but to explore their knowledge and push their limits of understanding. The kids amaze me each and every session with what they can do when they are given the tools to succeed and the freedom to use their own creativity to drive their learning.   Each and every day I spend with students reassures me that I belong in a classroom. I live for the “light-bulb” moment when a student finally understands something and STEM for Kids is like a light bulb factory!