FEATURED EVENTS    VIEW CALENDAR   June 15 - 2nd Annual Fish Day               Fun for the whole family June 15 - Creature Feature               Pollinators August 3 - Family Lecture Series              Michael Oard of CMI

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Our Mission | Staff Directory
 

Our Mission

How we answer questions of origins is critical to how we view ourselves, our families, our community, our nation and our world. Are we the result of billions of years worth of accidental random processes? Or are we instead the products of design with a purpose? Could there be an intelligent designer who is the mastermind behind all that we observe in the universe? Our Science Center was established to try to provide answers to these important questions.

Our Science Center features hands-on guided tours and science activities. Our exhibits display many fossils from Ohio and around the world. We look forward to having you visit our 4,500 square foot museum and 2 1/2 acre outdoor adventure park called Truassic Park.

We are devoted to teaching creation science and intelligent design models on the origin and history of life (in contrast to teaching evolutionary models).

How We Got Started

Our museum and outdoor adventure park (called Truassic Park) was built over a period of two years by William Sanderson and his good friend Dennis Osborn. A majority of fossils and artifacts in the museum itself are from Mr. Sanderson's private collection that he started when he first conceived of the idea of building a creation science museum.

Why Study The Past?

Because it is not possible to scientifically and empirically test an event that has occurred in the past, we must look at the remains from the past to properly understand how life began and what life was like so long ago. We must ask the question: Is the fossil record (and other lines of evidence from the past) best explained by an evolutionary model or a creation science model of origin and development? And which of these two models best predicts what we observe and are able to test in the world today?

Come see our fascinating fossils and exhibits that ask the age-old questions of life. Find answers by using the tools of the scientist and historian. Come unlock the doors to truth with us. What you discover will change your life!

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Staff Directory

Our Science Center is run by a dedicated group of employees and volunteers that is overseen by our founder, executive director, and advisory board.
 

We welcome your phone calls and e-mails. If you have a general question but don't know who to direct it to please call the Science Center at 330-665-DINO (3466) or send an e-mail to our main office.

William Sanderson, II

Founder, Director of Finance & Speaker

Contact: 330-665-DINO (3466) | Send an e-mail

William Sanderson owns and operates a financial planning company. He has been in financial services for over 30 years, and provides individual financial planning, as well as financial planning through “Money 101” and “Asset Preservation” workshops.  

He has been an active member of several associations, including the Akron Chamber of Commerce, National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors, and the society of Financial Service Professionals. He served on the Malone University Graduate School Advisory Board, and served for 8 years on the United Methodist East Ohio Conference committee on stewardship.

Bill served as a seaman in the U.S. Navy for one year and was given an honorable discharge for a knee injury received prior to his service. Bill was a middle school teacher from 1983-1986 and taught in the West Clermont and Cincinnati Princeton School Districts of Ohio. As a former school teacher Bill has always maintained an active interest in all sciences. Reading, studying and inquiring led him to found Akron Fossils & Science Center in May of 2005.  

In addition to CLU and ChFC designations, Bill earned a bachelor of science degree in education from Miami University in Ohio, and a Masters Degree from Malone College, where he wrote his graduation paper on financial planning for professional clergy. 

Bill is married and is a dedicated father and grandfather.

Bill is the lead guide for our annual Wilderness Canoe Trip. He is also an active participant in the behind-the-scenes day to day operations of the Science Center.

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Dr. Al Gotch

Ph.D. Physical Chemistry

Executive Director & Speaker
 

Contact: 330-665-DINO (3466) | Send an e mail

Publications | Editorials

Albert Gotch was born and raised in the Cleveland, OH area and received his B.A. in Chemistry from Thiel College in Greenville, PA.  He then completed his M.S. in Chemistry and Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry at Purdue University studying artificial photosynthesis and small molecule gas phase clusters respectively.  He taught college chemistry for 20 years at three different state and private institutions and has worked with many undergraduate and high school science students on research.  He has published papers and given presentations on a wide-range of topics including photosynthesis, electrochemistry, fluorescence spectroscopy, molecular structure, chemical education, philosophy of science, and microemulsions.  A longstanding research interest has been alternative energy and has included study of artificial photosynthesis, solar energy, wind turbine technology, fuel cells, and energy conservation.  Recent research has focused on using biomass as an alternative energy source and a renewable chemical feedstock.

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Megan Beaver

B.S. Zoology 

Zoology Director, Office Manager & Speaker
 

Contact: 330-665-DINO (3466) | Send an e-mail
 

Megan is our Resident Zoologist and takes care of our Living Collection. She has a Bachelors of Science in Zoology from Kent State University and is certified in Project WILD, Aquatic Project WILD, and Growing Up WILD through the Ohio Division of Wildlife. Megan has worked with many wildlife species including great horned owls, red tailed hawks, squirrels, opossums, raccoons, bats, and snapping turtles. She also has extensive knowledge of domestic species. 

Megan loves to spend time with family and friends and her pets, which include three dogs, a cat, a horse, and a raccoon.

Megan oversees our growing Zoology Department, Creature Feature Workshops, traveling Animal Tracks Program, annual Silent Auction fundraiser, Gift Shop inventory, donation processing, reservations for groups and families, as well as our volunteer projects.

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Cindy Julius

B.S. Biology

Education Director, Fossil Replica Manufacturer & Speaker

Contact: 330-665-DINO (3466) | Send an e-mail

Cindy Julius is our amazing resident science teacher. Cindy manages our Viers Ditch Research Project with our students and volunteers. She also oversees our private tutoring science classes and annual Science Fair Convention.

Cindy is a biology graduate of Cleveland State University and has a technical background in blood banking, immunology, histology and environmental air pollution. Cindy is also an active leader in the Stark County homeschooling community.

Cindy also overseas our annual rappelling trip in Hocking Hills, as well as manufactures our fossil replicas for our Gift Shop. Read Cindy's blog posts to see what her students are doing next.

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Jodie Brewer

Children's Director, Birthday Party Hostess & Speaker

Contact: 330-665-DINO (3466) | Send an e-mail

As the Children's Director at our Science Center, Jodie Brewer creates and directs action-packed camps, science classes, and birthday parties for children ages 5-12. She has 17 years of experience working with children, youth, and adults.  Jodie is also the author of many educational children's programs like Camp Creation, Searching the Scriptures, and Sleepover Sisters that she oversees in churches in the Akron area. She recently joined our staff in 2010. She enjoys learning about creation science and sharing her knowledge with others. 

Jodie is a home-educator and enjoys reading, creating, organizing and spending time with her family.

Jodie oversees our Creation Day Camps, Super Science Saturday program, and hosts our Birthday Parties.

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John H. Lookabaugh

B.S. & M.S. in Education

Adjunct Speaker

Contact: 330-665-DINO (3466) | Send an e-mail

John Lookabaugh is a tour guide and presentation speaker for the Akron Fossil & Science Center. John has a Bachelors of Science in Education from Lee University and Masters of Education from Kent State University. John and his wife Katy served as missionaries in Costa Rica before moving to Ohio. John is a Middle and High school teacher at a Christian private school in Burton, OH where he has taught Science, History and Bible.

John lives with his wife, Katy, and their daughter.

John is able to adapt presentations on topics such as Dinosaurs in the Bible, and Creation Science vs. Evolution for groups aged pre-school through adult.

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Josiah Detwiler

Adjunct Speaker & Web Consultant

Contact: 330-665-DINO (3466) | Send an e-mail

Josiah Detwiler (aka "Dino Joe") has served in various rolls and capacities at our Science Center from it's inception in 2005. Josiah currently serves as an adjunct speaker and field trip leader for the Museum. Josiah lives with his wife, Melody, and their three children.

Josiah lives with his wife, Melody, and their three children.

Josiah speaks to groups of all ages and helps to lead and organize our field trips to Niagara Falls. He also writes for our blog about interesting things relating to science and religion.

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