HEY THERE
In 1979, Gerard Eisterhold set out to create a design studio that would have the flexibility to collaborate with civic organizations at the protean level - to truly respond to the particular needs of diverse projects, with a design response particular to their belief.​ We draw on over four decades of work on the creation of significant spaces that engage and inform.
Mission
To inform, activate, and inspire young people, encouraging them to be the driving force and to exercise their voices, knowledge, and actions to create their future.
We recognize the urgent need for critical thinking and civic education, which
has been underrepresented in the classroom. Through immersive, informal educational experiences, we aim to educate young people to see the world as interconnected and subject to community engagement. We work collaboratively
with grassroots organizations to create real-world, sustainable impacts, and we believe in aggregating these efforts into cohesive national community. Our
mission is to provide the tools, the knowledge, and the open dialogue necessary
for all Americans to better understand their rights and responsibilities to
the nation.
Vision
We want to do for civics what STEM has done for engineering. We want to involve young people in working on important issues affecting their futures in a way that mirrors that passion and creativity of the STEM movement.
We draw on the diverse experiences and skillsets of a highly creative multidisciplinary team.
Program Impact
Coming in August 2025
By The Numbers
Coming in August 2025
THE TEAM
Gerard has been a leader in exhibit design for nearly four decades. He is the founder of ContemPlace and Eisterhold Associates, Inc. His work seeks to educate, entertain, and commemorate, and his spaces have been experienced by an audience of millions in museums across the nation. Gerard has a strong vision for a future in which individuals become agents of change through the use of critical thinking and dialogue.
Gerard Eisterhold
DIRECTOR | BOARD MEMBER
Mark is a business leader and innovator who served as the senior director of business development of online communities. Additionally, he developed software for the LEGO Mindstorms project, which has drawn hundreds of thousands of kids into the world of engineering and innovation.
Mark Hansen
COO
Grant Armstrong holds a PhD in political science from the University of Mississippi. Dr. Armstrong was previously a lecturer at Washburn University, and a commonly featured guest speaker for civic groups, providing analysis of the current state of American society.
Grant Armstrong
CONTENT DEVELOPER
William Dowdell
PROGRAM DEVELOPER
Since 1995, GLOBE schools in 89 countries have created a database of over 12 million atmospheric measurements. As GLOBE's Director of Systems, David led the team that developed the data management, mapping, and analysis tools and the program website. These represented pioneering efforts in student online access to and use of data, including graphing and visualization of real-time and historical weather data.
Dave Brown
DIGITAL DESIGNER
Ashna was born and raised in Mumbai, India. She attained a Bachelor of Architecture from Mumbai University and an MFA in Themed Entertainment Design from the Savannah College of Art and Design. She has worked with brands like Hafele and Elle Decor on multiple projects which included designing exhibit booths for the India
Design Exhibition.
Ashna Jerry
EXHIBIT DESIGNER & PROJECT MANAGER
Kellyn is passionate about working with both science and history museums to create hands-on learning experiences and present familiar narratives in a new light. Her previous work includes an exhibition development role with the Cummings Center for the History of Psychology and educator roles at the Mütter Museum and the Adventure Aquarium.
Kellyn Toombs
CONTENT DEVELOPER
Jan Adkins is a writer and illustrator, known for his work in National Geographic, Smithsonian, Harpers, Wooden Boat, and Cricket. He brings a unique quality to the Youth Civic Challenge by drawing on nine years of experience as director of illustration for the National Geographic magazine.
Jan Adkins
WRITER | ILLUSTRATOR
Katey Tryon
PROGRAM ASSISTANT
Bob has served as the director of the National Council for Economic Education, an assistant vice president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, and as a president of the Missouri Council on Economic Education. Bob is also a visiting professor at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, and a professor emeritus of economics at University of Missouri-Columbia and Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. Additionally, he is an author of four books related to entrepreneurship and economics.
Bob Strom
BOARD MEMBER
John Richard is a leader in non-profit structures. John is the functional Chief of Staff at the Center for Responsive Law and dozens of Ralph Nader projects.
John Richard
BOARD MEMBER
Art Molella is the founder of the Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation at the Smithsonian and lead instructor at Johns Hopkins University.
Art Mollela
BOARD MEMBER
Bill has a strong background in community building through his leadership roles with City Lore Inc. in New York, IPS, Inc., Young Audiences New York, among others. Bill also serves as a board member for the National Council for Traditional Arts, which hosts the National Folk Festival - a collaboration between the institution and community leaders to showcase local culture and promote civic pride.
Bill Pearson
BOARD MEMBER
Robin Reardon
BOARD MEMBER
