Jennifer Rivers: I founded Cool Science because I remember keenly all the fabulous cool science role models I had as a child, starting off, first and foremost, with my COOL dad, Art Lacy. Real estate entrepreneur by day, weekend mad scientist; we were always doing experiments like making a camera obscura, or creating a steam engine on the stovetop. He encouraged me to figure out how things worked, in fact, my favorite science related phrase from my dad: "There is no magic in anything - you can always figure it out".  (Incidentally, my favorite non-science related phrase from him is "You Do Right, You Come Out Right" which speaks volumes about him, even though he claims it's not really 'his' phrase.)  In 5th grade, a volunteer came into my classroom from Sandia National Labs and did a REALLY cool chemistry demonstration (click here to see it)  that I will remember forever. He said he was a chemist.  I was hooked.  My cool science high school teachers, Tom Buchanan and "Doc" Glidden at the  Albuquerque Academy,  introduced me to some more of the JOYS of chemistry and physics, and gave me the opportunity to show science off in a demonstration to my whole high school - COOL!

I took chemistry classes in high school and eventually graduated with a Bachelors in Chemistry from Rice University.  Although I still think chemistry is cool, I've become gradually more and more passionate about sharing my enthusiasm for science with kids. 

Currently I'm a Maintenance Manager for Intel Corporation, and loving dealing with the people side of things.  At Intel, I've also been a Lean Manufacturing Engineer, and a Process Engineer for the Lithography division.  Before Intel, I worked for Celanese, as a Process Chemist making HUGE amounts (2 billion pounds/year) of acetic acid (known to most people as the SMELLY part of vinegar).

 

photography donated by Sean Cayton

How did I come to decide that founding a nonprofit science enthusiasm spreading machine would be a good idea?  I started volunteering with the ˇexplora! museum in Albuquerque when I was in the 8th grade. In high school, I did yearly science demonstration shows for my peers.  In college, I started a demonstration traveling show with the Student Affiliates of the American Chemical Society, and coordinated with the Houston Museum of Natural Science to design the Welch Chemistry Hall. My cool science friend, Jen Bachman, and I even persuaded them to include a live demonstration area was included in the chemistry hall.  I recently went back to their website and was excited to find that they are still doing demonstrations there!  Following graduation I started a traveling demonstration show through Celanese, and brought the show not only to local elementary, middle and high schools but also to special science forums such as the "Girls in Science Program" and "Success Sisters".  But alas, when I moved to Colorado Springs, no more access to chemicals.  To satisfy my ever growing need to talk to kids about science, I would have to form a nonprofit and pair up with local college.  Colorado College was MORE than happy to oblige, in fact, their only stipulation was that I get the students involved in what I was doing, which I was just tickled pink to do.

Where did the name "Cool Science" come from?  We played with many names in the early days: Pikes Peak at Science, HANDS ON Science, The Science Company, Science World, the Joy of Science, Inc, Science of the Lands, Science is Golden.... but we just couldn't hit the right one.  We kept saying to ourselves... "what says 'cool' and 'science'.  The answer was literally hitting us in the face.

And so, Cool Science was born in November of 2001 with strong encouragement from her parents, Art and Heidi Lacy, and good friends, Dave and Melissa Luppino, and some help from fellow founding board members, Aimee Smith and Ed Muzio. In April, 2002, Lt. Col. Ron Furstenau joined the board. Elaine Naleski, Judy Cara, Kathleen Watson, Jason Gaulden, and Richard Stettler joined the board in the summer of 2002.  In August of 2002, Cool Science officially adopted its name, and the Articles of Incorporation were filed in the state of Colorado. Cool Science received their official 501(c)(3) designation in May of 2003, and two more board members joined over the next few months - Phil Erickson and Victoria Stone.  Brian Dominic joined December 2005!

In the meantime, I met a profoundly important life role model. I, at the time Jennifer Lacy, married Mike Rivers in May of 2004.  Mike is a portfolio manager for Athena Capital Management, the company he founded.  The contributions that Mike has made to Cool Science will never be fully known by the world.  He is my ultimate supporter, sounding board, organization man, and whip cracker (in a good way!). I am completely certain that this organization would not exist in the way it does now without his unflagging support. 

 


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