Team
Meet the Team
Chris Walls
Executive Director
Chris has been working for the Science Center since 2010. He holds a BA in History and Criminal Justice, as well as an MBA from SIU. From 2007-2008, he worked for independent design and exhibit companies, and was the Director of the Murphysboro Chamber of Commerce from 2009-2010. In his free time, Chris likes to go fishing and camping, and he loves spending his time with his wife Lyndsey, daughter Rin, and their dog Moxie. Chris’s favorite part of working at the Science Center is watching the kids have fun and learn alongside their families. He recognizes what an important part science plays in a child’s education. Chris’s favorite exhibit? The dinosaurs! Chris, as well as all Science Center staff members, is a member of the Association of Science-Technology Centers (ASTC).
Josh Morale
General Manager
Josh graduated from SIU in 2015 with a BA degree in Commercial Recreation Management with a minor in Physical Education. He started as an intern and decided to stay on with TSC when he was offered the position of General Manager. Josh is the Science Center's “jack-of-all-trades”, able to assist with just about any task that might pop up in the course of an average day, (at The Science Center that could be literally just about anything!) When he isn’t working, he enjoys making things, spending time with his wife Melissa, his daughter Nicoletta and two sons; Maxx and Lorenzo. He also enjoys raising money for local charities by participating in beard contests with the other members of his beard club, “SIBME”. His favorite exhibit at The Science Center? The Topographical Sandbox! Josh and his family are all members of the ASTC.
Bill “Dino Guy” Adams
Director of Exhibits,
and General Mr. Fix-it
Bill has been working with the Science Center since 2011, and is the artist responsible for all of our life-sized dinosaurs. Bill has his degree in commercial graphic design and began his career in toy-making. His work has included designing and creating toys such as “Frog Lab”, the original Chronicles of Narnia figurines for McDonald’s Happy Meals, and many more that you’ve probably played with at one time! Since 2006, Bill has created displays for museums around the world. Bill’s favorite part of working at the Science Center is watching the kids play with the things he makes. In his free time, he enjoys sculpting and model-making as well as participating in Cub Scouts, Pack 142 with his boys. He loves spending time with his sons Elijah and Jesse, daughter Amber, and wife Connie. Bill’s favorite thing in the museum is the live animal area. Bill and his family are all members of the ASTC.
Connie Adams
Programming Director
As Program Director, Connie Adams enjoys working with the children, believing she has the best job here at The Science Center. Having studied here at Southern Illinois University with a focus on Chemistry, Connie believes it is important to give children the opportunity to experiment and explore through hand-on activities during programs such as: Home School classes, summer camps, Grown Ups Night’s Out and more. Connie is married to TSC’s own, “Dino Guy” Bill Adams and a mother of three. Connie and her family are members of the ASTC.
Abby Sell
Curator and Programming Assistant
Having graduated SIU in the spring of 2014, with a BA in Forestry and a minor in Environmental Studies, she enjoys being outdoors and doing outdoor activities with her husband Jesse and her dog Oswald. Working with the animals is her definitely one of her favorite parts about working at the Science Center. If you ever want to see or hear about an animal, just ask her. Teaching children to respect animals and the Earth is what she strives to accomplish while working at the Science Center. Abby’s favorite exhibit besides the animals, is the shadow wall! Abby is a member of the ASTC.
Board of Directors
- President- Peter Gregory
- Vice President- Dr. Sandra Hardy
- Treasurer- Melissa House
- Secretary- Amy McMorrow Hunter
Board Members
- Dr. Jerry Smith
- Darrel Dunham
- Harvey Welch
- Jill Johnson
- Lee Eklund
- Melissa House
- John Chaney
- Pat Kelley
- Dr. Gary Kinsel