Tyler

Making his way to East Texas from the Discovery Gateway museum in Salt Lake City, Utah, Michael Shanklin joined The Discovery Science Place as Executive Director on April 1.

Beginning his career working for the Aerospace Science and Technology Education Center (ASTEC) in Oklahoma City, Shanklin has experience in developing curriculum for informal, science-based learning approaches for children and adults. He has used scenario based learning approaches in a variety of informal settings including summer camps, camp-ins, outreach programs and a charter school.

Shanklin’s administration experience ranges from Chief Curator to Director of Customer Experience. Under the tutelage of Dr. Freda Deskin, Teacher in Space candidate, he learned effective experiential and informal education approaches. Shanklin served on the University of Oklahoma’s Board of Directors for the Aviation Department and has a B.A. in Art Education and a Masters Degree in History.

Despite the appearance of his “newcomer status,” Shanklin, his wife Lori and two children have family that has lived in the Tyler area for the past 30 years.

The Discovery Science Place is a non-profit, hands-on learning environment whose purpose is to open young minds to science, technology, math and cultures in order to meet the challenges of the 21st century. Located at 308 N. Broadway in downtown Tyler, it is supported by grants, donations, admissions, memberships and special events. For more information about Discovery Science Place, call (903) 533-8011 or visit the website at www.discoveryscienceplace.org.

Michael Shanklin
(Courtesy photo)