
Charlie Trautmann and Michelle Kortenaar, ASTC Conference September 2025
The Sciencenter congratulates founding director, Charlie Trautmann as the recipient of the 2025 Roy L. Shafer Leading Edge Award, presented at the Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC) Annual Conference. The Sciencenter was proud to nominate Charlie for this honor.
“This award honors the vision of the Sciencenter’s founders and our community’s work to spark curiosity in young people. I’m proud to have been part of its legacy of inclusivity and access as former director.” – Charlie Trautmann, Executive Director Emeritus
Charlie, who retired in 2017, was recognized by ASTC as having guided the Sciencenter’s growth from a grassroots community effort into a nationally recognized model institution. His leadership has advanced the field of informal science education through national initiatives, cross-institutional collaborations, and the mentorship of leaders around the world.

