The U.S. National Science Foundation Green Bank Observatory (NSF GBO) Science Center welcomes a head of education, Drew Maerz, this spring. The Science Center opens its doors to thousands of visitors each year, with an exhibit hall, theater, gift shop, cafe, tours, and special events. Maerz comes to the Observatory with over three decades of experience in education, most recently serving as superintendent of schools in Monterey, Virginia.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Drew to the EPO team,” says Barb Gruber, who leads Education and Public Outreach for the NSF National Radio Astronomy Observatory. “His 30+ years of educational leadership will help bring the Science Center, its staff, and programs into their next chapter.”
Originally from Schwenksville, Pennsylvania, Maerz shares that his dream was to study astrophysics and become an astronaut, “but I got too tall,” he adds with a laugh. Shifting his focus to science education, he obtained degrees in science secondary education, and school administration from Penn State and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, followed by his doctorate in education from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
Maerz is excited to learn more about radio astronomy as he settles into his new role at Green Bank, “I love teaching science and astronomy, and I love working with the kids … it will be exciting to provide opportunities to expand horizons.”
Drop in to say hello to Maerz at the Science Center! This spring, the Science Center is open five days a week, 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM, Thursdays through Mondays (closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays.) Learn more at https://greenbankobservatory.org/visit.
About NRAO
The National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) and the Green Bank Observatory are major facilities of the U.S. National Science Foundation, operated under cooperative agreement by Associated Universities, Inc.