Science Education Center

The city of Halstead, KS is the home of the Hertzler Research Foundation and the Kansas Learning Center for Health. Dr. Irene A. Koeneke originally founded it as a memorial to her husband, Dr. Arthur E. Hertzler, for the purpose of research and education. Dr. Hertzler ( the famous Horse and Buggy Doctor ) was world renowned for his excellence in pathology, his love of children, and his concern for health education of the general public. Dr. Koeneke was instrumental in the establishment of the Foundation and the Kansas Learning Center. A thirty-two member board has overseen the progress of the Hertzler Foundation since 1948 and the Kansas Learning Center since 1965. The Learning Center offers supplemental health education for schools with hands-on, interactive activities both as an outreach program ( On The Road ) and in the full-service exhibit museum area ( At The Center ). Board members are elected for a three-year term. Members are selected by the Board Resources committee, approved by the Executive Committee and presented for ballot at the annual spring quarterly meeting. The board has consistently recruited members who have an interest in education, health, and community youth or have shown a high degree of interest in the Foundation or Learning Center. Throughout the years, the Foundation has been funded entirely with private contributions and bequests with some grants for special projects. Once the annual budget is established, the Executive Committee and then the entire assembled board of Trustees approve it. Staff prepares monthly statements comparing the approved budget to actual expenditures. This information is given to the full board along with minutes of the Executive Committee and endowed investment financials on a monthly basis. The Kansas Learning Center for Health occupied a new building in the fall of 1992 and is currently debt free. This building at 505 Main, Halstead KS, is ADA accessible with nearly 4, 500 square feet of exhibit space, a 68-seat auditorium and a 60 person capacity classroom. Office, restrooms and lobby make up the remaining 2, 500 square feet. The Learning Center building is utilized for a variety of classes. Foremost are the offerings for schools. Nearly 21, 000 students attended health education programs during the 2008-2009 school year. The center is also allied with the Girl Scouts of the Golden Plains Council, offering five different events annually for Brownies through Senior Scouts. Programs for adult audiences include a Horse & Buggy vignette and General Health & Nutrition. Community events such as Kansas Humanities programs, Chamber of Commerce meetings, and other such activities provide exposure for the Learning Center. The newest offering of the Learning Center is the On The Road presentations given to schools in their own buildings. Kindergarten through College can take advantage of the presentations, which are grade appropriate and meet Kansas State Science, Health, Counselor standards. This is the twelfth year for the outreach program with many curriculum updates and technology advances through the years. Evaluations continue to receive the highest marks. Staff currently consists of one full time employee: Brenda Sooter, Executive Director. Part time employees include: Megan Evans, Assistant Director, Christi Beat, Office Manager, Debbie Nightingale, Cindy Foster, Lisa Hoffman and Nelda Litwiller, Instructors.

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