About Science Camps of America

Michael Richards

Founder / Executive Director / Camp Director

Before Science Camps of America, Michael Richards was the founder and president of HI-Tech Smart Systems, Inc., a software company based in Hawaiʻi that provided specialty property management software to thousands of companies in over 20 countries from 1983 until its sale in 2010.

Michael started Science Camps of America with the goal of providing opportunities for teenagers to get out and 'do' science. As a result, Michael launched Science Camps of America as a Hawaiʻi nonprofit organization, and recruited hands-on environmental education leaders and teachers to get the program started.

Michael recently earned a Certificate in Disaster Planning and Emergency Management from the University of Hawaiʻi and is a volunteer member of the Hawaiʻi Medical Emergency Response Team (MERT).

Floyd McCoy

Founder / Director

Professor Floyd W. McCoy grew up on sugar plantations in Hawaiʻi, in the midst of erupting volcanoes and tsunamis. As a native of Hawaiʻi, he has studied volcanism there in relationship to the formation of a Hawaiian island, as well as to contemporary issues of living with natural disasters.

Studying under Hawaiʻi's foremost volcanologist, Dr. McCoy earned both BS and MS degrees from the University of Hawaiʻi, and his doctorate at Harvard studying the mega-eruption of Santorini.

Dr. McCoy recently retired as Professor in Geology and Oceanography at the University of Hawaiʻi's Windward campus and has served as a senior Fulbright Scholar to Greece. Throughout his time at the University of Hawaiʻi, Dr. McCoy created and led numerous experiential learning programs for students of geology and oceanography, including geology field trips for undergraduate students to all of the main Hawaiian Islands.

Denisse Aranda

Director

After receiving a Bachelorʻs Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Florida International University and a Master's in Material Science and Engineering from Virginia Polytechnic Institute, Denisse went to work at the NASA Langley Research Center. Denisse is currently the Senior Contamination Control Engineer for Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket and joined the Science Camps of America Board in 2019.

While at NASA Langley, Denisse also served as the department Education Specialist, implementing STEM focused curriculum for schools and informal education organizations. Denisse developed curriculum, conducted lessons and activities for students and teachers on radiation science leveraged on the recently successful NASA RaD-X Mission and was the Agency lead for Rockets to Racecars™ in partnership with Jimmy Johnson Racing program to educate NASCAR fans in the science of aerodynamics during races around the nation.

Michael Walker

Director / Instructor

Michael Walker received his Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and his PhD in Geology and Evolutionary Biology from the University of Kansas. Dr. Walker teaches high school science at The Village School in Houston, Texas, has been an instructor and counselor for Science Camps of America since 2021, and joined the Board in 2023.

Dr. Walker has extensive experience leading young people on outdoor and science field trips for over twenty years, teaching through programs that emphasize experiential learning and hands-on activities, and brings that extensive experience to science camp each summer.

Anna Downey

Director / Instructor

Anna Downey earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Education and Earth Science from SUNY Oneonta and her Master of Science degree in Geology from Kansas State University. Anna teaches middle school science in New York City, has been an instructor and counselor since 2016, and joined the Board of Directors in 2023.

With extensive experience teaching middle school students, Anna has developed many hands-on science learning activities for her students and for science camp. Her experience includes leading her classroom students on multi-day field trips, which in addition to her science camp experience, adds to her effectiveness as a youth leader.

Sheri Richards

Founder / Director

Sheri Richards co-founded Science Camps of America as Director for Health and Safety. Sheri has more than 20 years of experience as an Emergency Room nurse and nurse leader.

Sheri is a graduate of Hawaiʻi Pacific University and holds a Master's Degree in Geriatric Nursing from Walden University, along with certifications in BLS, ACLS, PALS, and disaster response. Sheri developed the healthcare section of the Science Camps of America Health and Safety manual, creating protocols for standard and emergency healthcare events.

Tron Jordheim

Founder / Director

Tron Jordheim started his first business in the sixth grade and has more than 40 years of experience in sales, marketing, and training. Tron has served as Chief of Sales and Marketing for StorageMart and is a sought-after public speaker, author, sales trainer, and consultant.

Dan Richards

Founder / Director

Dan Richards received his Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from SUNY Binghamton and has been involved in numerous high-tech ventures. Dan is currently the principal at STRADS Consulting, providing executive-level engineering management and guidance for software startups.