WOW Update - July 29, 2010

At the beginning of August I will be moving to the bay area to begin working on my Masters degree at John F. Kennedy University in Berkeley in Museum Studies. 

Although it is exciting to move, I am upset to be leaving the World of Wonders Science Museum.  My job was essentially to have fun and make sure other people were also having fun.  You cannot get a much better job than that.   I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to work for a company that makes such a positive impact in our community.  From the members and visitors that come through our doors, to the field trips and birthday parties, to our amazing volunteers, and coworkers, I have really enjoyed the pleasure of being able to work with such an enthusiastic group of people.  It has been so exciting to witness how supportive the community has been of the museum.  The World of Wonders is such a treasure for Lodi!  The WOW offers an amazing way to spread knowledge and culture in a welcoming and enjoyable environment.  Hopefully I have been able to reach most of you and get you as excited about science and education as we are here at the WOW.   I cannot stress enough how fortunate our community is to have something like the World of Wonders Science Museum.  Thank you to all who have believed and supported our mission statement of spreading curiosity.  Your support is an essential asset to the museum that deserves recognition and not to be taken for granted.  I hope you will all continue to support this amazing opportunity that Lodi has been granted.  Thank you all for such an amazing experience.

- Jamie Henderson

After over a year and a half of working side by side with the World of Wonders Science Museum, I’m sad to say that this will be my last month as an employee. Next month I will be transferring to the University of California Berkeley where I will be studying Education. I’m very excited to take this next step in my life and I wanted to thank you all for all of your support for the museum.

I’ve been a part of the WOW since the beginning and the museum has meant so much to me the entire way. It was in December of 2008 that I wrote an email to Sally Snyde, the President of the Board, originally asking for a job. Of course, Sally told me that the museum wasn’t hiring but they were in need of volunteers. I had nothing to do during my break from Delta College and I agreed to volunteer for the museum. Little did I know that the moment I sent that email was the last moment of free time I would have for the next year and a half. I was immediately thrown into the museum and used as a Museum Guide and a birthday party host, and a field trip assistant. I’ve played janitor when kids got sick in the museum, and was the nurse when someone needed a bandage. Not to mention stocking the store. Even through this long list of jobs, nothing has meant more to me than being the “lady at the front desk.” The WOW had its “soft-opening” the last week of December 2008 and I sat at the front desk for 7 hours a day, 9 days in a row. To tell you a secret, I loved every minute of it. I remember sitting there, thinking to myself that I would sit at that front desk for days and I would never get tired of it – even if I wasn’t getting a dime. The day those doors opened, as well as every day after that, I’ve loved being apart of such an amazing community. I’ve made so many friends and have been told so many stories, and I’ve remembered them all. I’ve taken all of your advice to heart and I can honestly say that most of it was needed. The museum would be nothing without such wonderful supporters like you. After all, the World of Wonders really is your museum, not mine.

- Erica Naves