Marcos Stafne, PhD, joins the Montshire Museum of Science as its new executive director, filling the vacancy created by retiring executive director David Goudy. Marcos comes to the Montshire with a wealth of knowledge and experience in the field of museums to build on Montshire’s strengths. “I look to release the potential of the indoor and outdoor spaces, plus create additional awareness for the Museum and deepen engagement with the community,” says Marcos, with the goal to create “a museum of science for all ages.”

Marcos is dedicated to the informal learning that happens in museums and is passionate about science. Growing up, he spent many hours in museums, enjoying hands-on explorations. Montshire is like “going back to my roots,” he says. With the size of the Montshire’s main building, the community can be involved, he says, adding, “It is human-scaled.”

Most recently, he served as vice president of Programs and Visitor Experience at the Brooklyn Children’s Museum, where he oversaw education, collections, visitor services, and the planning and implementation of traveling and new exhibitions. Prior to Brooklyn, he served as the Director of Education & Visitor Experience for the Rubin Museum of Art and the Director of Public Programs & Traveling Exhibitions at the New York Hall of Science. Originally from Orlando, Florida, Marcos also worked at the Orlando Science Center, where he went from weekly visitor to working in public programs in his youth.

He has published articles in the Journal of Museums and Social Issues and the Journal of Museum Education, and he contributes to a science blog for the Huffington Post. He holds a PhD in Urban Education from the Graduate Center of the City University of New York and an MA in Theatre from Hunter College, where he studied museum theatre for science and historical education.

“I value curiosity,” Marcos says. “You never stop learning, and the Montshire serves all ages with amazing hands-on experiences that inspire curiosity. It’s a place for a true holistic learning experience—a place where everyone has the potential to learn something new.”

Montshire Museum

The Montshire Museum of Science in Norwich, Vermont, is an award-winning, hands-on interactive science center with more than 125 exhibits on nature, technology, astronomy, and the physical sciences. Visiting exhibitions, educational programs, and special events are offered throughout the year. Open daily from 10am to 5pm (closed Thanksgiving and Christmas).