Science Discovery
Team
Our Inspiring Education Team
Tosha Punches
Tosha graduated from the University of La Verne with a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies and later earned a multiple-subject teaching credential. She is a passionate teacher with experience developing and implementing curricula in a wide range of topics. Tosha enjoys teaching science-related issues and has over a decade of experience working with students of all ages. Tosha teaches about recycling, composting, and all the resource conservation topics that Science Discovery delivers to schools. This is Tosha’s first year with our education Team.
Stacey Beveridge
Stacey is beginning her 15th year with Science Discovery. She has a BS in education from Eastern Michigan University and a California teaching credential. Stacey teaches all in-class and virtual programs that Science Discovery offers. Her wealth of experience and outstanding teaching skills earn glowing reviews from teachers at all grade levels. Stacey has presented an impressive 5,000+ class programs and field trips during her years at Science Discovery! Stacey also coordinates the scheduling of all class programs for the balance of our staff, over 1,500 per year. When she catches her breath from teaching and scheduling, Stacey loves editing the many beautiful videos we put out for teachers and students. Stacey is an avid runner and usually wins, or places in the top three of her age category in 10K runs. She also enjoys going to her son Bodhi's roller hockey games and supporting his interest in sports.
Grace Price
Grace graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with Bachelor of Science in Environmental Earth and Soil Sciences, and loves sharing her passion for environmental education with students. Grace teaches recycling, vermicomposting, and marine debris programs. Grace also enjoys gardening and has been a preparatory strings violin mentor for the San Luis Obispo Youth Symphony.
Julian Farnsworth
Julian graduated from Humboldt State University with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science and Management. His concentration at Humboldt was Environmental Education & Interpretation, providing Julian with the skills and background to be an outstanding educator. Julian currently teaches a variety of recycling-related programs with Science Discovery. Before joining our education team, Julian worked at the Pacific Science Center in Seattle as a lead teacher providing instruction and leadership for interactive week-long science camps for school-age children. Julian most recently worked for the California State Parks Department as an Interpretive Specialist, where he planned and conducted Jr. Ranger programs.
Dean Thompson
Dean has over 34 years of experience teaching environmental education along the central coast of California. He received his B.S. in Natural Resources Management from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Dean shares a wealth of experience and enthusiasm with his education team members and teaches all solid waste, recycling, and composting programs. In 2012 he was presented with the Howard Bell Award for Outstanding Contribution in the field of Environmental Education by the Association of Environmental and Outdoor Educators. In 2019 Dean was recognized by the Kern County Superintendent of Schools by receiving the Outstanding Service to Education Award. Dean has a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential.
Mike Di Milo
Mike is the principal of Science Discovery and has been involved in environmental education for over 25 years. He has a Bachelor of Science in Natural Resources Management from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Mike works with all Science Discovery team members assuring that both the school education, public outreach, and business programs provide exemplary levels of inspiration, innovation, and service, to students, teachers, and business people. Mike enjoys riding his motorcycle and watching his favorite ice hockey team when he’s not at work.
Nicole Yerena
Nicole holds a Bachelor of Science in Earth Sciences from the University of California, Santa Cruz. She enjoys educating students about the world around them, and has previously worked at Moss Landing Marine Labs and has mentored high school students in a summer camp focused on science. Nicole teaches a variety of elementary education programs for students who receive outreach from the Science Discovery education program.
Our Inspiring Commercial Recycling Team
Martha Stromberg
Martha joined our commercial recycling team in the fall of 2022. As a lifelong Eco-enthusiast, she quickly became a great fit at Science Discovery. Martha visits dozens of businesses each week, helping them improve recycling and composting activities at their location and bringing the company into compliance with several California State laws. Martha enjoys playing the guitar and is writing a children’s book.
Carrie Gorton
Carrie is a valued member of our commercial recycling team. She graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of California at Santa Cruz with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Language Studies and a minor in Politics. She is in her second year at Science Discovery. Carrie has worked with hundreds of businesses, helping them become compliant with SB 1383. She has a passion for composting and trying to move forever closer to a “zero waste” lifestyle. Her experience includes volunteering at her two children's local elementary school, where she helped rebuild the school garden and revamped the lunch program to work with local food vendors, eliminate disposables, and offer affordable healthy lunches with daily fresh produce. In her leisure time, Carrie enjoys taking advantage of our temperate San Luis Obispo climate by hiking, taking her dogs to various dog beaches, attending local outdoor music venues, and riding her motor scooter around town.
Michael Bender
Mike is passionate about recycling and composting organics. He provides outreach to many businesses along the central coast, helping them improve their capacity to recycle and keep organics out of landfills. Michael has live on the Central Coast for over two years and enjoys exploring with his recently adopted dog.
Antonio Delacruz
Tony provides recycling and organics outreach to business and multi-family locations in Santa Maria and San Luis Obispo County. He began working with the Science Discovery team in 2022. Tony is fluent in Spanish and provides translation assistance with business and residential recycling programs. He thoroughly enjoys being able to contribute to local communities, whether for solid waste matters or fire disaster recovery, which Tony previously did before joining Science Discovery. Tony enjoys fixing computers and, most of all, playing soccer with his two daughters.
Jennifer Codron
Jennifer leads our commercial recycling team. She has five years of commercial experience working with garbage companies, businesses and local government. Jennifer excels in developing practical solutions when faced with challenging situations. She is instrumental in developing a commercial organics composting program with over 600 participating businesses throughout San Luis Obispo County. Jennifer enjoys a variety of sports with her husband and three adult children.
Jessi Brown
Jessi is in her second year of providing commercial recycling services to local businesses. Jessi works with over 100 entities providing information and support services ensuring that they are compliant with a variety of state and local recycling mandates.