Legal

Paul H. Guttman, M.D.

Co-Executive Director, Founder

lDr. Guttman has a passion for science education and founded Space Science for Schools in 2003 to provide the resources of Astronomical education to K-12 schools, colleges, teachers and students of all ages.  He retired from active medical practice of Diagnostic Radiology to devote full time to SS4S.  He currently serves on the adjunct faculty of Sierra Nevada College as an instructor in Astronomy and Cosmology.  A lifelong student himself,  Dr. Guttman is currently pursuing a Masters degree of Science in Astronomy Education at Swinebourne University of Melbourne Australia.

Maria Dee Frewert

Co-Executive Director

Dee brings a to the board both passion for K-12 education and years of skills as a corporate executive in the area of method and business management.  She has refined the infrastructure of SS4S and created a new vision for the potential of this organization as a significant force in professional development to the public school system.  She is pursuing a Masters in Education from Lesley University, Cambridge, MA.

Dan O'Day

Director

Dan brings his years of experience in media and computer systems to SS4S.  He has served as Webmaster and consultant for development of the infrastructure of the organization.  Dan is also an amateur astronomer and has participated in the public outreach star party programs for the last 4 years.

Rich Williams

Director, Vice-Chairman, Professional Astronomer

Rich has served as a director and vice-chairman of SS4S since 2004 and has helped support the observational astronomy programs.  Rich is an expert in the field of telescope manufacture and software control systems.  He is a former vice president of Microsoft Corporation and current director of Optical Mechanics Instruments corporation.  His expertise on telescope operations is exemplified with the Sierra Stars Observatory located near Minden, NV.  He has provided high level programs to supplement the Sierra Nevada College Observational Astronomy courses.

Cynthia  McClelland

Director

Cynthia has been a director of SS4S since 2004 and has many years experience in the public education system.  Her intimate knowledge of the school system has helped enable our k-12 programming within the Washoe County School District.  She is currently Vice President of Sierra Nevada College and head of the of public relations and development department at Sierra Nevada College. She  is an active proponent of collaboration projects between SS4S, the Parasol Community Collaborative and the college. 

Derek Norpchen

Director, Astronomer

Derek is a recent graduate of the Computer Graphic Design section of Sierra Nevada College.  He is currently a member of the Desert Research Institute staff and produced high level computer simulations for the NASA missions at the Institute.  Derek is an amateur astronomer with interest in outreach education.  He has provided several years of service to SS4S as a volunteer and now as a director since 2007.

Frank Dibbell

Director, Astronomer

Frank is a retired educator and engineer with a passion for teaching astronomy.  He is a certified ASP Project and Family ASTRO educator and has volunteered as an instructor for the Star Explorer Camp programs at Clair Tappaan Lodge since 2005.  Frank lives in El Dorado Hills, CA and runs a local public observatory in Placerville.

Alan Castator

Director, Informal Educator

Alan is a retired trial attorney whose passion is volunteerism in education.  He is a director of the North Tahoe Boys and Girls Club in Kings Beach, CA and has recently completed a course in Astronomy and Cosmology at SNC taught by Dr. Guttman.  Alan brings his legal and informal education skills to SS4S.  He plans to expand his role in program delivery to the public and elementary school age children in after school environments.

Former IP executive at VISA International and is now leading a start up web technology company in Marin County, CA.  He is amateur astronomer with a special interest in astrophotography and astronomical equipment.

Patti Poston
Director, Incoming Secretary

Patti Poston has been an educational advocate and has been instrumental on the Board of Directors for the Northern Nevada Home School Network.  She has extensive teaching experience in the home school field with specialty in math and engineering.   She has become an SS4S education and public outreach instructor and advocate.