OUR MISSION
By fostering an environment where students and faculty work collaboratively to broaden student knowledge of an interest in science, the Piner High School Science Department seeks to provide all students with an engaging and inspiring science curriculum that extends beyond the classroom. In doing so, we seek to meet the academic needs of all students and prepare them for further studies, successful careers, and active participation as citizens in a constantly changing technological world.
CORE VALUES
Authentic Science
Effective Communication Skills
Community & Career Connections
Student-centered, project based learning
Research-based Methodology
Professional Collaboration
SPARQ CENTER DIRECTOR
Kurt Kruger
Kurt Kruger has been a Science instructor at Piner High School since 1989. He graduated from U.C. Davis with a B.A. in Biological Science and earned his teaching credential from Sonoma State University. He teaches Space Science, GIS, and Earth Sciences. Kurt is also the SPARQ Center Director and runs the Planetarium, Observatory, and High-Powered Rocketry Group. Kurt is the STEM Coordinator at Piner High School and a Board Member of the Robert Ferguson Observatory. Kurt’s past work as a Docent at RFO inspired his development of the SPARQ Center facilities at Piner High School.
SPARQ CENTER FOUNDATION BOARD MEMBERS
Peter McCormick
Pete McCormick is a founding board member and past president. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in health science. He continues to enjoy an over 30 year career in nonprofit healthcare, science, and parks database support. He and his wife Jill (a former Piner teacher) enjoy aquatics (he coaches the Piner swim team) and have two adult sons (both Piner grads).
JODIE LAU
StAN ROODMAN
Stan Roodman retired from Saint Louis University Medical School where he was a Professor in the Pathology Department doing research in Immunology for 25 years. He moved to Santa Rosa 15 years ago and soon joined the SPARQ Board. He has volunteered in elementary, middle, and high school schools in reading and math where he loves working with students. Science education is a priority for Stan.
Dani Foster
Dani Foster joined the SPARQ Board in 2014. She has a Bachelor of Science in Geology from Sonoma State University. Her excitement for science was sparked in middle school when she attended a conference spotlighting women in science, where she got to meet Astronaut Sally Ride. She is delighted that Piner High School Students and the local community have the opportunity to access to the amazing resources in the SPARQ Center!
SALLY BIMROSE
Sally Bimrose joined the Board after retiring from Santa Rosa City Schools in 2015. She earned her initial teaching credential while she was an undergraduate at Centre College in Danville, Kentucky. Then she studied English Literature at the University of California, Davis, earning an MA in 1976. Following a move to Santa Rosa, Sally began teaching at Piner High School in 1986. Over the course of her three decade career with Santa Rosa City Schools, Sally taught at three different sites (twice at Piner), served as Director of the Reading and Literature Project at Sonoma State University, became a support provider for the Beginning Teacher Support and Assessment program, held the position of Director of Curriculum and Instruction, and acted as a site administrator for three different schools. In 2010, she was selected as Principal of Piner High School, a position which she considers to be the highlight of her career in education. In post-retirement, Sally is working as a mentor for new administrators through Sonoma County Office of Education. She also appreciates the opportunity to continue to support the Piner High School community through her work as a member of the Board of the SPARQ Foundation.
BONNIE POLKINGHORN
Bonnie Polkinghorn joined the Board in 2019. She has a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Illinois. Bonnie worked for many high-tech companies in Silicon Valley as an applications engineer. After moving to Sonoma County, Bonnie has worked as a customer support applications analyst for complex software programs used by hospitals and health centers.
JANET JOHNSON
Mindy Breslin
Mindy Breslin joined the Board in 2023. She has a B.A. in Chemistry from U.C. San Diego, an A.S. from Santa Rosa Junior College and is a Piner Alumni (class of 1982). She is a retired Project Manager and spends a lot of time as a Photographer for Piner sports and activities. She has a keen interest in science and art and looks forward to supporting the SPARQ Center.
MICHAEL PAPAIK
Michael Papaik joined the Board in 2022. He earned a PhD in Natural Resources Conservation from the University of Massachusetts and has done research in northern forests of North America focusing on modeling the role of manmade and natural disturbances in ecosystem development. He has a background in mathematics, astronomy and ecology. He has taught at the University of Massachusetts, the University of Quebec, Montreal and Piner High School where he was the Mathematics Department Chair until his retirement. He is now retired and enjoying volunteering his time in support of the space science activities at Piner High School and as a docent with the Robert Ferguson Observatory.
Riley Lasley
Riley Lasley joined the Board in 2023. He is the Student Representative.
IAN CARPENTER, P.E.
Ian Carpenter joined the Board in 2022. He is a local civil engineer and proud Piner High School alumni (class of 2013). While at Piner, he completed the Geospatial Technology Pathway and participated in the Early College Magnet Program (ECM). He was introduced to civil engineering while completing the Geospatial Technology Pathway, leading him to pursue a civil engineering degree from California Polytechnic University - San Luis Obispo. After graduating college in 2017, Ian returned home to Santa Rosa where he leapt at the opportunity to invest in the high school that had given him so many unique opportunities to learn and grow.
Ann Lasley
Ann Lasley joined the Board in 2023. She is the Parent Representative.