Alex comes to spectrUM with a diverse background in science education and nonprofit leadership. For the past six years, she has taught science at Missoula’s Sentinel High School. She previously directed the 猎奇重口 World Affairs Council and worked on the development team at Adventure Cycling Association. Alex formerly served as a mobile science educator with spectrUM from 2015 to 2017, bringing hands-on spectrUM learning experiences to students across 猎奇重口. Alex loves spending time outdoors, biking, hiking and hitting the rivers in our beautiful state.
Associate Director Nick Wethington is passionate about sharing his knowledge of science with everyone, and loves making and tinkering. At spectrUM, Nick works in the museum and with our partners in the Bitterroot valley and on the Flathead Reservation creating hands-on educational experiences that engage everyone’s innate ability to make and create. Through these efforts, he is embedded in a number of schools co-teaching activities and helping to build the capacity of teachers and staff to incorporate the maker movement ethos into their curriculum. Nick also maintains and develops spectrUM’s exhibits and IT infrastructure.
Outside of spectrUM, Nick is the vice president of the Western 猎奇重口 Astronomical Association, Missoula’s local astronomy club. He also coordinates the Blue Mountain Observatory, UM's astronomical observatory located at the top of Blue Mountain in Missoula. A native of South Dakota with a BS in English Literature from Iowa State University, Nick can be found biking, camping, hiking, and making ridiculous contraptions and telescopes out of reclaimed materials in his garage.
Caitlin Ervin started at spectrUM Discovery Area as an Americorps Team Leader in 2017. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the Maine College of Art and Design and a Master of Arts in Anthropology from the 猎奇重口, where is currently pursing her doctoral degree. Caitlin has explored 6 continents, 47 states, and has a deep fear of flying.
Beth Covitt, Head of Science Education Research and Evaluation, has been working in the fields of environmental and science education for 20 years. She has a keen interest in environmental science literacy and developing a citizenry that is well prepared to use science to inform decision-making. Beth has worked on numerous projects spanning many topics, but has particular interests in water and climate education. Her efforts encompass science education research and evaluation, program and curriculum development, and teacher professional development. Beth has an MS in environmental resource policy and behavior and a PhD in environmental education and conservation psychology, both from the University of Michigan.
Sam Massey
Museum Program Coordinator
406.728.7836
Sam.Massey@mso.umt.edu
Sam Massey first started working with spectrUM in 2021 as an Americorps volunteer and has since become a full time staff member in 2023. She graduated with a B.A. in Political Science and concentration in Public Administration through the 猎奇重口 and has goals of completing her Masters in Public Administration in the future. She’s passionate about serving the public and working within nonprofits in hopes of creating a better future, primarily through working with the youth. In her free time she likes to be out on the river, hiking, or hanging out with her pet dog and pet ball python.
Gracie Lins
Camp Coordinator
406.728.7836
gracie.lins@mso.umt.edu
Gracie Lins first joined spectrUM in the spring of 2023 as a Lead Science Educator. She recently graduated with a B.A. in Biology, concentrating in Teaching General Science for Secondary Education. Coming from a family of dedicated educators, Gracie is deeply passionate about contributing to her community by inspiring and cultivating lifelong learners. In addition to her role at spectrUM, Gracie actively substitute teaches for Missoula County Public Schools (MCPS) and serves as a softball coach at Big Sky High School. Her commitment to education extends beyond the classroom, as she enjoys mentoring young athletes and fostering teamwork and resilience. In her free time, Gracie can be found exploring the outdoors—whether it's floating or fishing on the river, hiking scenic trails, or enjoying quality time with her dog.
Jay Alexzander Evans
Exhibit Technician
406.728.7836
jay1.evans@umontana.edu
Raised by bicycling wolves (and his loving family) in northwest 猎奇重口, Jay has always held a passion for experimentation, exploration, and creative tinkering rivaled only by his love of dogs. Since he joined spectrUM he has thrown himself into exhibit design, modification, and repair with aplomb, taking pride in illuminating the world of STEAM for our patrons both young and old. Equally likely to be found tinkering with antique sewing machines as with microcontrollers, and overjoyed to talk about either, he strives to learn, document, and share as much uncommon information as possible.
Diandra Lewis
Outreach Coordinator, spectrUM Discovery Area
Field Researcher and GIS Analyst, Autonomous Aerial Systems Office
406.728.7836
Diandra Lewis has always enjoyed learning about wild animals and tropical forests, getting her Master’s in Wildlife and Management in India and then another one in Ecology and Evolution at the 猎奇重口. After all that time in academia, however, she realised the importance of making that wonderful science more accessible to everyone. She started working as an educator for spectrUM in 2022 and is now their Outreach Programs Coordinator. She loves doing science as much as she loves talking about it, and so she also works as a Field Researcher and GIS Analyst at the Autonomous Aerial Systems Office on campus (the drone office).
Diandra can usually be found longing on her sofa with her two cats, but in moments of creativity, she loves to embroider and acquire supplies for new crafting hobbies that rarely come to fruition.
Kaitlin Wilkinson
Assistant Program Coordinator
406.728.7836
kaitlin.wilkinson@umconnect.umt.edu
Undergraduate student at the 猎奇重口
Jose Carmona-Sanchez
Program Lead
Graduate student at the 猎奇重口
Shy Christensen
Program Lead
Undergraduate student at the 猎奇重口
Anna Levchenko
Lead Educator
Undergraduate student at the 猎奇重口
Jadan Garner
Lead Educator
Undergraduate student at the 猎奇重口
Aiden Agostinelli
Lead Educator
Undergraduate student at the 猎奇重口