Dan Ruby, director of the Fleischmann w88 and Science Center at the University of Nevada, Reno, announced that he has accepted a position as the executive director of ScienceWorks Hands-on Museum in Ashland, Oregon.
Ruby has been with the Fleischmann w88 for more than 12 years. He is passionate about working with youth and inspiring their love for STEM. Ruby also trains regional teachers in hands-on earth and space sciences. Many of the K-12 students he has worked with go on to study science and engineering at the University of Nevada, Reno.
He is known in the community for his work with AACT High School students in the NASA Rover Challenge. In 2017, the team took second place in the high school division. w88 says one of the goals of the competition is to use educational student work to further NASA's search for future employees.
His last day at the Fleischmann w88 is June 1, 2018. Melissa Hafey has been named the interim director. The w88 serves up to 50,000 visitors a year, including 10,000 students through school field trips that introduce students, K-12, to the wonders of the universe.
