Board Members Go Back To School

On February 10, 2026, SF board members, Bill and Nancy Halsema, Benny Ko and Bob Yee, and spouses Vicky Ko and Linda Yee attended a presentation of the Center for the Performing Arts' The Science of Light and Sound at the Payne & Mencias Palladium in Carmel.

About two hundred 4th graders from public, private and home schools in central Indiana arrived by bus and car for the more than hour long program. The presentation in the main venue used the Palladium's state-of-the-art technology to demonstrate the principles of light and sound.

The Palladium presentations are coordinated with the students' school curriculum. They review and demonstrate the knowledge gained in the classroom and laboratory. The eight presentations during the 2025-2026 school year will reach over 1,600 students.

Principal Sound and Lighting Technicians, "Doctor" Rob and "Doctor" Brian, demonstrated additive color mixing in the Palladium's main venue - courtesy of Center for the Performing Arts

These were some of the facts, principles and questions that the "Doctors" asked the students about. Lots of students' hands shot up with the correct answers. How would you do?

1. What are longer, the wavelengths of light that humans can see or the wavelengths that they can hear?
2. How do two paper cups attached by a long string transmit voices?
3. How can an elephant "hear" another elephant walking six miles away?
4. If an alien invader's space ship blows up in outer space, can you see the flashes of light? Can you hear the explosion?
5. What is additive color mixing? What is subtractive color mixing?
6. How do microphones work?

Watch the Video

Please see IRS letter below that documents our foundation's name change.

Please see attached letter about our change from a Private Foundation to a Publi Charity.

In the latest Over Coffee® podcast episode, Jeff Rasley, President of the Scientech Foundation of Indiana, sits down with host Dot Cannon to explore the Foundation’s mission, its evolving support for arts-infused education, hands-on programs like robotics and science camps, and what’s ahead for Indiana’s next generation of innovators.

Click here to listen to the interview

The 2024 Tax Form for the Scientech Foundation of Indiana is shown below:

The Friends of the White River (FOWR) exists to protect, preserve, and promote our vital resource for communities in Central Indiana by connecting people to the White River

Eddie Gill IV, is their executive director and FOWR is a new Foundation grantee for 2025 and was a Club speaker this last fall.

Our Foundation grant of $5,000 is primarily for the purchase of four Motorola waterproof walkie talkie radios and their FCC licensing. Radios are for use on the river with the FOWR River School program for middle school children and the summertime Indy Water Connection Summer Camp for teenagers. Previously, FOWR has had to rely on each raft captains personal cell phone to call each raft to coordinate as they all rafted down the river.

An example of one of their programs for teenage children is their Indy Water Connection Camp: Explore, Learn, Lead

The Indy Water Connection Camp is a transformative 4-day summer day camp designed to connect teens (ages 13-18) with the natural wonders of the White River. Students will gain confidence in navigating watercraft, learn water safety, and explore environmental science—all while having fun and building leadership skills. This summer of 2025, over 400 children participated.

What Students Can Expect:

• On-Water Education: Dive into lessons on local ecology, plant and animal species, water quality, and how these impact both human and environmental health.
• Hands-On Watercraft Training: Learn how to paddle, guide, and navigate rafts with confidence and skill.
• Indiana Waterway History: Explore our waterways’ history, including stories from diverse perspectives, to better understand the deep connections between people and nature.
• Leadership Opportunities: From organizing a final rafting expedition to sharing experiences with families and local leaders, students build teamwork and public speaking skills.
• Environmental Stewardship: Participate in land stewardship activities like trash pickups and learn from community partners about environmental justice and conservation careers.
• This camp isn’t just about fun on the water—it’s about empowering the next generation of advocates for the White River and inspiring future leaders in outdoor recreation and environmental stewardship.

The Scientech Foundation's $10,000 grant to Marian University supports the University's INnovation Through Engineering! Summer Camp and the Witcher-on-Wheels (WOW) Initiative. Binh Q. Tran, Ph.D., Dean of the Marian University Witchger School of Engineering explains that these innovative programs are designed to inspire and engage high school students in STEM education.

Members of the Scientech Foundation's Board of Directors met on April 2, 2025 at the Broadmoor Country Club.

The Scientech Foundation has become a primary sponsor of the Center for the Performing Arts' Science of Light & Sound. The program is coordinated with the science curriculum for 4th graders. 1,137 students participated in 2024 from schools in Washington Township, Carmel, Westfield and Indianapolis and from homeshools. The Palladium’s state of the art acoustics and lighting systems provide a perfect environment to study science concepts. For example, the discussion of light includes color temperature, light reflection and visual temperature, and additive and subtractive color mixing. The discussion of sound includes a demonstration of sound waves, basic properties of sound (such as pitch, volume, frequency), how musical instruments produce sound, and how acoustics affect sound quality.

Scientech Foundation Secretary Robert Yee presents a check for $10,000 to Julia Shildmyer-Heighway, the Center's Director of Education & Community Engagement. The Foundation's sponsorship will allow the Center to expand the Science of Light & Sound program.

Scientech Foundation President Jeff Rasley presented a $10,000 check to the IAC's CEO Mark Williams to support the Center's Art & Science Summer Camp for 10-14 year olds. Campers will use computers and 3D printers in the IAC's "Scientech Foundation Maker Space" to blend art and engineering. Williams explained, "Campers will leave with their projects, including 3D-printed models, mini-robots, and unique art pieces to show off their newfound skills."