Montshire's Director of Eduction Gerg DeFrances is one of just 18 museum leaders who has been selected as a Noyce Fellow by the Noyce Leadership Institute. The Noyce Foundation, in collaboration with the Association of Science-Technology Centers (ASTC) and the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) offers a highly competitive sponsored fellowship program to increase the public impact of science centers.
"NLI aims to increase the capacity of individuals to lead these dynamic organizations," said Dr. Geno Schnell, NLI Program Director. "We're excited about the potential of working with this next generation of leaders to increase the level of innovation and community impact at their home institution and in the science center field as a whole." Through their Fellowship experience, 18 leaders from science centers, children's museums, natural history museums, and related institutions will gain access to knowledge, tools, best practices, and professional networks that increase their capacity to lead effectively and to advance innovation in their own institutions and the broader community. NLI envisions an essential and transformative role for science centers in the engagement of citizens of every age in understanding crucial science-related issues. Leaders of such innovative hubs will be supported and challenged by the Noyce Leadership Institute to make the individual, organizational, and community changes required to realize this vision.
We are honored that this prestigious fellowship is recognizing Greg’s skill and accomplishments as leader of Montshire’s education programs, said David Goudy, Executive Director of the Montshire Museum. "The Noyce Institute works on an international scale to bring together the most promising talent for the next generation of science museum leadership. This award also recognizes Montshire's professionalism as a center for science education serving people of Vermont and New Hampshire."
The 2011-2012 Noyce Leadership Fellows each completed a rigorous application process and were selected by a cadre of senior professionals from the fields of science centers and executive education. The Fellowship program provides a mix of face-to-face sessions, coaching, peer learning, audio conferencing, and other learning strategies over a year, followed by ongoing Fellow alumni activities.
The Institute bears the name of Robert Noyce, co-founder of Intel and inventor of the integrated circuit. His work in leading science, engineering, and technology to a whole new level of innovation – as well as the creation of new industries – is legendary. Known for his integrity, authenticity, character, inclusiveness, and continuous innovation, his legacy continues to serve as a standard for leaders today.
The Montshire Museum of Science is a hands-on museum located in Norwich, Vermont, offering more than 100 exciting exhibits relating to the natural and physical sciences, ecology, and technology. Located on a 110-acre site near the Connecticut River, the Montshire Museum has been a part of the Upper Valley community since 1976. The purpose of the Montshire Museum is to create, awaken, foster, and nurture an interest in and curiosity about the physical and natural world by providing programs, experiences, and exhibits emphasizing real objects and phenomena. For more information about the Montshire Museum visit http://www.montshire.org.
