Our Team
Advisory Board Members
Hilary Hassenzahl, Co-Director
“The best learning extends natural curiosity curiosity to expand our insight and understanding of how our world works."
The Chico Science Fair gets students to actively question, observe, problem solve, test document, and discover. This helps create happy, lifelong learners in any subject area. Hilary taught elementary school for over 21 years. During her 10 years as a gifted education specialist in Las Vegas she created curriculum including hands-on explorations of the chemistry of cooking, structural engineering, perception and body systems. She has a special interest in creativity, innovation and problem solving. Hilary used her nature photography to model scientific observation in a 16 month series on the Chico Science Fair Facebook page. Her illustrations are part of the Fossils and Formations exhibit at the Gateway Science Museum. She enjoys incorporating fascinating stone specimens into her jewelry making.
Mary Anne Pella-Donnelly, Co-Director
The need for all to have excellent science education and understanding of evidence-based research is critical in order to solve global problems", and this is her mission, both professionally and personally.
As a 30+ year science teacher, Mary Anne works at Chico Junior High to bring a passion for science understanding to each of her students. In addition to advising an outdoor adventure club at CJH, she is on the board of the Gateway Science Museum and its education committee. Mary Anne serves on a leadership team for the Inland Northern California Science Project, which provides professional development for K-12 teachers from Northern California. As a founding member of Outdoor Education For All (OEFA), she is involved in developing opportunities for all to have nature inspired outdoor experiences.
Patricia Edelmann, PhD
"The wonder and excitement of science is that new discoveries are always made. The Chico Science Fair encourages students to question and problem-solve; skills needed throughout life."
Tricia has taught microbiology courses and mentored research in the Department of Biological Sciences at CSU Chico since 1976, and she has been involved with the Chico Science Fair since 1980. Through grants, she has designed and taught summer workshops for high school teachers to help them bring microbiology labs into their classrooms. When not on campus, one can find her in her garden or greenhouse.
Don Holm, Treasurer
"Teaching science and the scientific method provides students with the essential knowledge and skills to solve problems and observe and understand the world around them."
Don spent his working career applying science to everyday life as an Environmental Health Specialist in several counties, including 20 years managing the Environmental Health program in Glenn County. Don found that interpreting the science behind the regulations for the public was the most important and most enjoyable part of his regulatory profession.
Maureen Kirk
Maureen was on the Science Fair committee from 1992-1995. She enjoyed working with the founders, Margaret Korte and Len Whitegon. After she was elected to the Chico City Council, Maureen resigned from her position and spent eight years on the Council. After retiring from her twelve-year position on the Butte County Board of Supervisors, Maureen rejoined the working committee.
Maureen appreciates all of the energy of the Science Fair and the learning possibilities for the participants. With transition to the Science Olympiad, there are opportunities to learn STEM and to learn how to work in a group/team setting. The Science Fair continues to be a special event in the community.
Adrienne McGraw, Gateway Science Museum Executive Director
“A curiosity for the natural world and science is fostered in kids from the earliest age. Activities like science fairs empower students to keep this energy going.”
Adrienne is currently the Executive Director of Gateway Science Museum at Chico State. She has been in the museum field for more than 25 years working in museum education, exhibition development and as faculty member in a museum studies graduate school. Her underlying goal in museum work is create interdisciplinary exhibits and programs that give all people an avenue for engagement.
“The best learning extends natural curiosity curiosity to expand our insight and understanding of how our world works."
The Chico Science Fair gets students to actively question, observe, problem solve, test document, and discover. This helps create happy, lifelong learners in any subject area. Hilary taught elementary school for over 21 years. During her 10 years as a gifted education specialist in Las Vegas she created curriculum including hands-on explorations of the chemistry of cooking, structural engineering, perception and body systems. She has a special interest in creativity, innovation and problem solving. Hilary used her nature photography to model scientific observation in a 16 month series on the Chico Science Fair Facebook page. Her illustrations are part of the Fossils and Formations exhibit at the Gateway Science Museum. She enjoys incorporating fascinating stone specimens into her jewelry making.
Mary Anne Pella-Donnelly, Co-Director
The need for all to have excellent science education and understanding of evidence-based research is critical in order to solve global problems", and this is her mission, both professionally and personally.
As a 30+ year science teacher, Mary Anne works at Chico Junior High to bring a passion for science understanding to each of her students. In addition to advising an outdoor adventure club at CJH, she is on the board of the Gateway Science Museum and its education committee. Mary Anne serves on a leadership team for the Inland Northern California Science Project, which provides professional development for K-12 teachers from Northern California. As a founding member of Outdoor Education For All (OEFA), she is involved in developing opportunities for all to have nature inspired outdoor experiences.
Patricia Edelmann, PhD
"The wonder and excitement of science is that new discoveries are always made. The Chico Science Fair encourages students to question and problem-solve; skills needed throughout life."
Tricia has taught microbiology courses and mentored research in the Department of Biological Sciences at CSU Chico since 1976, and she has been involved with the Chico Science Fair since 1980. Through grants, she has designed and taught summer workshops for high school teachers to help them bring microbiology labs into their classrooms. When not on campus, one can find her in her garden or greenhouse.
Don Holm, Treasurer
"Teaching science and the scientific method provides students with the essential knowledge and skills to solve problems and observe and understand the world around them."
Don spent his working career applying science to everyday life as an Environmental Health Specialist in several counties, including 20 years managing the Environmental Health program in Glenn County. Don found that interpreting the science behind the regulations for the public was the most important and most enjoyable part of his regulatory profession.
Maureen Kirk
Maureen was on the Science Fair committee from 1992-1995. She enjoyed working with the founders, Margaret Korte and Len Whitegon. After she was elected to the Chico City Council, Maureen resigned from her position and spent eight years on the Council. After retiring from her twelve-year position on the Butte County Board of Supervisors, Maureen rejoined the working committee.
Maureen appreciates all of the energy of the Science Fair and the learning possibilities for the participants. With transition to the Science Olympiad, there are opportunities to learn STEM and to learn how to work in a group/team setting. The Science Fair continues to be a special event in the community.
Adrienne McGraw, Gateway Science Museum Executive Director
“A curiosity for the natural world and science is fostered in kids from the earliest age. Activities like science fairs empower students to keep this energy going.”
Adrienne is currently the Executive Director of Gateway Science Museum at Chico State. She has been in the museum field for more than 25 years working in museum education, exhibition development and as faculty member in a museum studies graduate school. Her underlying goal in museum work is create interdisciplinary exhibits and programs that give all people an avenue for engagement.
