< Who We Are!
Wondergy President: Ken Fink
Physics, Education, Marketing
President & Founder of Whatergy, Inc.
Since receiving his B.A. in Physics from Columbia University in 1999, Ken has worked with Broadway and Network Television productions and consulted on projects with Physics Labs and Museums in Japan and the USA. He recently completed the Marketing Management Program at The Wharton School of the Univerisity of Pennsylvania and his MS in Instruction from Drexel University. Ken has developed and presented hundreds of high-energy shows and events at schools and public venues across the Mid-atlantic US on behalf of the Whatergy/Wondergy and the Liberty Science Center!
Wondergy Scientists:
Sarah Wanger
Physics, Earth & Space Science
COORDINATOR
Sarah received her B.S. in Physics with a concentration in Earth Science from The College of New Jersey and is finishing her Masters in Geoscience & Astronomy from West Chester University. Sarah's primary interests are in atmospheric sciences including meteorology and climate. She is facinated by the atmosphere of this planet and others and is currently doing research on the factors that affect the accuracy of weather forecasts. In short, talking about the weather isn't just small talk for her! Beyond her love of science, Sarah also orchestrates Rennaisance Faires, Steampunk Events, Sci Fi Conventions, and Costumed Balls. Sarah has significant experience accomodating special needs inside and outside the classroom. In addition, she's worked in and with the Deaf community, and is happy to present in ASL (American Sign Language) or Signed English upon request.
Mike Roswell
Biology, Linguistics
SCIENTIST
Michael grew up exploring the fragmented eastern woodlands of Baltimore County, MD. Before coming to Wondergy, he taught windsurfing, researched climate change and its effect on plants in the Rocky Mountains, and repaired bikes. Michael studied biology and linguistics at Swarthmore College, and is considering growing up to become an ecologist.
Festival Team:
AJ Kohn
SKATEBOARDER
AJ Kohn is a true Renaissance man of the skateboarding world. He is a multi-disciplined and highly skilled talent on a skateboard as well as off. AJ has organized and performed in events all over the globe and his world class talent has been seen in European and domestic publications, TV and countless websites. Always ready to get in the trenches and get things done he has organized and developed successful inner city youth programs, designed and developed new products, raised money for various charities and built skate parks all while working as an industry writer,consultant and small business owner. AJ demonstrates his internationally reknowned skateboarding skills and tricks for Wondergy in their SkateScience programs.
Paul Shaffer
Aeronautical Engineering
Paul was an instructor at the Franklin Institute Science Museum, and is now the curator of the ENIAC display at the University of Pennsylvania. Josh Uretsky
Biophysics
Josh studied Bioengineering as an undergraduate at Berkeley, and is currently completing
his PhD Research in Biophysics with the University of York. He has taught both college and
youth, and has developed educational media and software tools for teachers and students
with disabilities. He is active in SCA and is a master BBQ chef.
Patti Spackman
Physics, Mathematics, Engineering
Patti became hooked on science at Susquehanna University, earning a BA in Physics with a minor in Mathematics. At the University of Pennsylvania, she went on to complete a BS in Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics. While working as a product test engineer, she completed a MSE in Systems Engineering and Computer Design at the Pennsylvania State University. Most recently, Patti taught high school Physics for 12 years. She also has over 10 years working with the US FIRST Robotics program as a coach, mentor and volunteer. On top of all that, Patti also sings mezzo soprano, and is also into ceramics.
Tristan Young
Biology, Life Science Education
Tristan attended Rutgers the State University of New Jersey from 2005 until 2011. In 2010, he earned his B.S. in Biological Sciences from the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, and in 2011 he received a Master's in Life Science Education from the Graduate School of Education. He spent several summers of his undergraduate career as a camp counselor for blind and visually imparied and multiply-handicapped children. His primary interests lie in helping people grow to know and love science with the same enthusiasm as he has had for it since grade school.
Maria Zilberman
Biology
Maria Zilberman is currently a Benjamin Franklin Scholar at the University of Pennsylvania majoring in Biology and minoring in Classics. Her current research interests are in the field of neuroscience, specifically the physical effects of stress. Maria is on the board of the Undergraduate Penn Neuroscience Society and enjoys learning from the guest lecturers, meeting interesting people, and fundraising for Alzheimer's. Maria's miscellaneous interests include yoga, Russian (literature, theater, etc.), and chocolate. She hopes to attend medical school in a few years.
Sarah Burroughs
Zoo Science, Museum Education
Sarah is currently pursuing a M.A. in Museum Education at the University of the Arts, and has a B.S. in Zoo Science from Delaware Valley College. She has been an informal educator for just over a decade, and has experience teaching in a variety of settings including zoos, museums, and nature centers. In these places her focus has been primarily on environmental or science education, but she is also largely experienced as a zookeeper and has helped to care for living collections at many institutions. In additition to Wondergy, she currently works with the Delaware Nature Society, the Delaware Museum of Natural History, and the Delaware Aerospace Education Foundation. She is also an avid costumer and owns her own art business.
WONDERGY ALUMNI:
Katie Forster
Cultural Anthropology, Medicine
Katie earned her BA in Cultural Anthropology at Hamilton College, and attended medical school at Jefferson Medical College. Since graduation, she has been a resident at Boston's prestigious Children's' Hospital. When not studying medicine or presenting for Wondergy, Katie likes to play with her dog, bake cookies, and watch "Glee".
Justin Damm
Physics and Theater
Justin earned his BS in Physics from Villanova University and returned to receive his Master's degree in Theatre.
Justin tries to balance his artistic and scientific sides by maintaining his status as a scientist while also working as a professional theatre actor and director.
Justin also writes, directs and performs in his sketch comedy group The Action Section and believes in a blind taste test he could name any Taco Bell item on the menu, including the fountain drinks, which can be mixed together.
Jessica Andersen
Jessica received her BA in biology from the University of Pennsylvania with minors in Psychology, French, and the History & Sociology of Science. She is currently studying for a Masters in Bioethics at the University of Pennsylvania before pursuing a law degree. She has been the project leader for the Discovery Science Program of Greater Philadelphia Cares since 2004 and was awarded “Outstanding Project Leader” for 2006.
Arun Das
Biology and Management
Arun is currently an undergraduate student at the University of Pennsylvania.
He is pursuing a degree in finance and management from the Wharton School of Business as well as a degree in biology from the College of Arts and Sciences.
Arun is currently doing research on the heavy metal detoxification mechanisms from various botanical species, which boils down to how plants avoid getting lead poisoning.
He is active in his college's parliamentary debate society and is involved in a program teaching neuroscience to students at Sayre High School.
In his free time, Arun enjoys getting his hopes up for the Carolina Panthers and Atlanta Braves, and loves to sacrifice an hour of studying for an hour of basketball.
Michael K. Keutmann
Michael can sing, dance, and replicate DNA, and make them all interesting at the same time! He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 2005.
Stephanie Kazmierzak
Physical Anthropology
Stephanie graduated from Indiana University with a BA in Anthropology, specializing in Physical and Biological Anthropology.
While at Indiana University, she taught anatomy as an Undergraduate Teaching Assistant and participated in archaeological digs.
She enjoys presenting, cooking, working on cars and anything else that will get her clothes dirty.
Rebecca Machalow
co-founder of Whatergy, Inc.
Rebecca has taught computer science, music, and literacy throughout the New York area.
From preschoolers to middle school students in Harlem to Columbia University graduate students, Rebecca has brought excitement and creativity to even the deadliest classrooms.
Rebecca graduated from Barnard College with a combined major in Biology and Computer Science (think Human Genome Project).
She now works with Kaplan K-12, authoring science curricula for school districts across the country
Claire Roden
Biology
Claire Roden is a 2007 graduate of Haverford College, with a Bachelor's in biology and minors in French and Africana Studies.
She works as a research technician at Thomas Jefferson University where she studies platelet aggregtion and thrombosis - she studies blood clots.
In the past, she has worked at a hospital in Paris, where she studied immigrant prenatal care; the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, where she studied congenital heart disease and DiGeorge Syndrome; and Vanderbilt University, where she studied heart rhythms.
She has also modified the knitted DNA scarf pattern into a protein structure scarf pattern, and she will knit in exchange for chocolate and running company.
Amy Scatliff
Informal Education
Alumna Marketing & educational developer
Amy is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in Educational Leadership and Change from Fielding Graduate University and has a master’s degree in Social Sciences from the University of Amsterdam, Netherlands.
She has designed and promoted educational programs from the University of Minnesota's Continuing Education Department to Concerts for the Environment, which produced the National Earth Day Concerts.
Before moving to Philadelphia in 2005 she spent ten years in Minneapolis where she warmed up the winters by swing dancing, sketching, and writing comedic screenplays based on family hijinx amongst the Norwegian fjords.
Carolyn Sealfon
Carolyn is an Assistant Professor in the Physics department of West Chester University.
She received her Ph.D. in Theoretical Cosmology from the University of Pennsylvania in 2006, and her BA in Physics from Cornell University in 2001.
She sings soprano in choral and musical theater groups in the Philadelphia area.
Karan Shah
Bioengineering
Karan is currently pursing a Bachelor's of Science in Engineering in Bioengineering at the University of Pennsylvania.
He is also currently the president of the University of Pennsylvania's Club Roller Hockey team as well as an active member of the International Affairs Association.
Despite currently residing in Philadelphia, Karan is a big Mets and Devils fan and watches their games obsessively.
Krystyna Wiercioch
Alumna Manager
Krystyna is a California native with an education in Mathematics and Dance, and holds two graduate degrees in education; Foundations and Dance.
She is devoted to her work at Wondergy and its goals in making learning fun and interactive for children and adults.
She is also a Pilates instructor and a pet sitter.