Core Committee & Building Captains
The Core Committee and Building Captains are the volunteer leadership team that makes North Bay Science Discovery Day happen. We are neighbors from across the North Bay who use our local connections to keep the event free, welcoming, and high quality. Together we recruit and support exhibitors and sponsors, invite schools and families with a strong focus on equity, and run a safe, smooth festival day that sparks kids’ curiosity and connects our region’s STEM community.
The volunteer committee undertakes key activities, including:
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Set the event vision, timeline, and budget; align decisions with our mission and equity goals.
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Recruit, onboard, and support exhibitors to deliver hands-on, kid-friendly activities.
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Cultivate sponsors and track benefits so admission and exhibiting remain free.
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Lead outreach to schools and youth programs, especially in Santa Rosa and Roseland, and coordinate broader marketing such as radio, social media, and print.
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Prepare site logistics: maps and building layouts, signage, radios, safety materials, supply kits, hospitality, and wayfinding.
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Coordinate volunteers and shifts, including student assistants and day-of support.
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Uphold safety, accessibility, and code-of-conduct standards for a respectful, inclusive event.
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Provide pathways for continued STEM engagement by sharing exhibitor info and calendars on the website after the festival.
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Serve as visible on-site leads on festival day by building:
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Arrive early to walk the space, confirm setup, and review emergency protocols.
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Welcome exhibitors, solve problems quickly, manage crowd flow, and support volunteers.
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Monitor safety and facilities issues, escalate via radio when needed, and keep areas running on time.
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Support orderly load-out, collect feedback materials, and return radios and supplies.
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Review evaluation results and lessons learned to improve next year’s event
B. Gabriela Arango
Adult Volunteer Coordinator
PhD graduate from UC Berkeley in integrative biology, studying oxidative stress and hypoxia tolerance on sea turtles. Founded Crecer ConCiencia, a nonprofit that seeks to inspire scientific curiosity.
Sarah Coburn
Advisor
I love science!
Sarah Kangastone
Building Captain
Science teacher at Slater middle school.
Susan Magnone, PhD
Advisor
I am a former associate school superintendent for Contra Costa County Office of Education.
Mike Roa
Sponsor Coordinator and
Student Volunteer Coordinator
I am a retired science teacher and currently a science and environmental education writer and consultant. I coordinate student volunteers.
Kerry Wininger
Committee & Building Captain
I am the Director for SSU's Center for Environmental Inquiry, and
coordinate UCCE Sonoma County's Sudden Oak Death program.
Dennis Bentley
Building Captain
I am a water engineer and have enjoyed helping third-world countries improve their water systems. I help the committee with outreach.
Guy Cottle
Building Captain
Teacher at Luther Burbank elementary school.
Mandy Kirk
Building Captain
Program manager at Petaluma city schools.
Andrea Musso
Advisor
I am a former associate school superintendent for Contra Costa County Office of Education.
Jessica Ruskin
Committee & Building Captain
Education Director at the Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center.
Steven Worker, PhD
Chair
I am a 4-H Youth Development
Advisor at the University of California Cooperative Extension. Email me at smworker@ucanr.edu
Lyman Black
Exhibitor Coordinator
I am a former engineer and a current business consultant. I coordinate all the exhibits for the NBSDD.
Gary Fong
Adult Volunteer Coordinator
Computer engineer
Kelly Mackura
Committee & Building Captain
Sonoma County Office of Education Project Coordinator. Kelly is committed to co-creating learning opportunities where community, collaboration, creativity, inquiry, joy, and the lived experiences and brilliance of students and families are centered and honored.
Don Pierce, MD
Advisor
Retired Kaiser physician and involved on the committee since day one. He was instrumental in coordinating UC Davis' Squids4Kids program. He loves to help kids dissect sharks and squids.
Jose Villagomez
Committee & Building Captain
Outreach Coordinator
Children’s Museum of Sonoma County
Core Planning Committee Professional Affiliations
