If you’ve ever taken part in a ScienceStrong classroom activity, attended a field trip to Pierce Cedar Creek Institute, or seen a spark of wonder in a child discovering something new about the natural world, chances are you’ve experienced the impact of Sara Syswerda—known to many as “Science Sara.”
As the Institute’s Education Director, Sara has spent over a decade transforming the way Barry County students and teachers experience science. Her leadership, creativity, and unwavering belief that every child deserves access to hands-on science education have shaped ScienceStrong into a countywide movement. What began as a small program has grown into an inspiring initiative that reaches thousands of students each year, strengthening curiosity, critical thinking, and connection to the environment.
In this post, we invite you to get to know the person behind PCCI’s Education Department and ScienceStrong—her journey, her passion, and her vision for the future of science education. And as you read, we hope you’ll consider supporting the program she has built with such care and dedication. Your gift to ScienceStrong helps continue Sara’s mission: to make science come alive for every student in Barry County.
SARA’S STORY IN HER WORDS:
Hi! My name is Sara, and I have been working at the Institute for 11.5 years. I assist with all mission-related programs, including those for our school, community, college, and land management. I am originally from Indiana and attended Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. I returned to the Midwest for graduate school and completed my PhD at Michigan State University. I spent most of my time at MSU working at Kellogg Biological Station, and I stayed on working for MSU after I graduated. By this point, I had met my husband, Tim, and knew I wanted to stay in Barry County. When a job at the Institute opened up, I knew this would be a place I could stay for a career.
While there are lots of awesome things about being at the Institute, there are several that keep me excited about my work here.
- I love working with our students, from preschool through college, and they keep me young. The teachers and schools here have been amazing to work with, and I have been really lucky to have such great partners.
- Our volunteers are awesome, and they have really become special people in my life. They have taught me way more than I have taught them, and their enthusiasm and support mean the world to me.
- The Institute’s land is amazing, and I have really enjoyed getting to know the plants and animals that live here. I have become an aspiring birder, a novice herpetologist, a native plant enthusiast, and a beginner botanist in my time at the Institute.
- The staff here have always been so patient with me, and they have invested in helping me grow. They have supported my ideas and helped me to feel like I can make a difference in our community. I have learned a lot from everyone I have worked with.
One of the most fun parts about sticking in one place so long is that the kids I taught when they were in preschool are in high school now, and it has been so fun to see students at multiple points in their lives. I have had students who worked with me when they were in high school come back to join our undergraduate programs, and then I get to follow them as they go into graduate school and their careers. I have even had some former students come through as parents on field trips, which has definitely made me feel my age a little.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
I love running, refereeing soccer, hiking, reading, bird watching, and visiting parks/trails.
What’s a quote or life lesson you live by?
“Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending.” – Carl Bard
What’s something you love about your role at PCCI?
I really love working with students and teachers. I feel like the kids keep me young, and they are probably the best part of working in education. I also feel like our volunteers inspire me in their passion for the work.
What’s a dream project or passion you’d love to explore here?
I would love to build a planetarium in Barry County. I know that for me, my high school had a planetarium where I took classes, and it really inspired my love of science.
What does your ideal work environment look like?
I like having a mix of active work (like teaching or hiking) and stationary work. I don’t do well sitting for very long. I enjoy being around people and being a part of a team.
What do you value in a teammate or work partnership?
I really appreciate it when people let me know when I mess up or miss something. I would rather hear about it so I can fix it than have other folks be frustrated.
Donate to ScienceStrong
If Sara’s story resonates with you, we invite you to help strengthen the work she leads by supporting ScienceStrong. This community-funded program ensures that Barry County students and teachers have access to hands-on science experiences, high-quality classroom materials, and field trips that spark curiosity and deepen understanding. Your gift directly fuels the programs Sara and her team deliver every year. If you’re able, please consider donating today to help us continue building a strong foundation in science for the next generation.