Meteor Crater launches nonprofit supporting STEAM education.
In mid-April, the Barringer Crater Company Board of Directors and Meteor Crater Enterprises President and CEO Matthew Kent launched Meteor Crater Education Alliance (MCEA), to focus on creating a wide array of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) education programs. It’s something they’ve been developing for years.
“Their vision was to enhance scientific education about the crater and its story, benefiting both the general public and the scientific community,” said MCEA Executive Director Tony Pelaez, who has been developing education programs and exhibitions at science museums around the world for more than 20 years.
“The ‘Wow Factor’ of Meteor Crater remains a powerful catalyst, sparking curiosity and driving scientific and engineering endeavors forward,” added Pelaez. “It underscores the importance of scientific inquiry and exploration, inspiring future generations to pursue STEAM careers.”
Pelaez first visited Meteor Crater as a child. “I was already a science nerd, so I forced the rest of the family to go to the crater. As you would expect, experiencing the crater was a life-changing moment for me. The story of Meteor Crater combined two loves of my life: space exploration and geology.”
Pelaez was born in Queens, New York, and grew up in Washington state, Delaware, Pennsylvania and Florida. At age 7, he created his own science museum, showcasing mineral specimens, spacecraft models and dioramas of imagined future worlds.
Today, he says he is thrilled to bring his interests and experiences as a researcher, educator and museum leader to the new nonprofit. “With a deep belief in the power of collaboration, I am passionate about forming dynamic partnerships that create meaningful educational experiences, inspiring others to embrace the excitement and challenges of exploring the world through science.”
Fall programs for MCEA include field trips, teacher workshops, science shows and hands-on lab experiences. Upcoming workshops include The Space Rocks Show!, Astro Adventurers, Extreme Earth, Space Junk, Meteorite Mystery, Blast from the Past and Hollywood Saves the World.
Currently, Pelaez is forming an alliance of scientists, Native American leaders and educators to promote the thrill of scientific discovery and innovative thinking. “Our goal is to empower students to pursue their ambitions and become future leaders and active community members.”
Teachers are also being recruited. “We’re on the brink of recruiting passionate STEAM educators ready to make a difference,” he added. “Next summer, we’ll be hiring teachers for our summer camp programs.”
Meteor Crater, officially known as Barringer Crater, to honor pioneering scientist Daniel Barringer is located off I-40 and Route 66 in Winslow, 35 minutes east of Flagstaff. FBN
By Betsey Bruner, FBN
Photo by Ximena Pelaez: Anthony Pelaez, executive director of the new nonprofit, Meteor Crater Education Alliance (MCEA), poses with the with the Hulsinger meteorite, the largest fragment of the meteor that struck in what is now Northern Arizona and created the enormous crater about 50,000 years ago.
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