Life is an Adventure. Let’s Explore the Journey Together!
In education and expanded learning, we often take the path less traveled – the unpaved trail that leads to exploration and adventure! The BOOST Breakfast Club Blog is excited to spotlight the journeys of the BOOST Leadership and BOOST Ambassador teams in the Fall 2025 Collaborative Blog Series – Share Your Career Journey: Explore the Path We’ve Traveled. Thank you to these important BOOST partners for adventuring into the unknown for the betterment of our youth and communities.
Let’s begin the adventure and consult the career map with Nancy Scales-Coddington (She/Her). Thank you, Nancy, for inviting us to join your journey! We appreciate you!
Explore the Path We’ve Traveled with BOOST Ambassador, Nancy Scales-Coddington (She/Her)
Nancy is the Founder and Creative Director of SciComm Solutions in Ithaca, NY, and is a proud BOOST Ambassador.
What is your career path journey? How did you get involved in the out-of-school time, expanded learning, and/or educational fields?
My career path started in a small museum and science center in Binghamton, NY, where I discovered that science education was my second calling. I’d always loved science, and my original dream was to become a marine biologist, but life steered me in another direction. Instead, I found my joy in helping others experience the wonder of science firsthand.
As a museum educator, I loved developing creative, hands-on programs that connected to New York State standards and sparked curiosity in the public. (Because, let’s be honest, making liquid nitrogen ice cream never fails to grab an audience!) That mix of creativity, curiosity, and community became my compass.
From there, I transitioned into public media, joining a PBS/NPR affiliate, where I spent the next 15 years learning how to tell stories that bring science to life. Because our FCC license was chartered through the NYS Department of Education, I worked closely with teachers to bring responsible, standards-aligned media into classrooms and after-school programs. I designed workshops showing educators how to integrate national content into expanded learning opportunities, collaborating with partners like NASA and Cornell University’s Lab of Ornithology. Those experiences solidified my passion for bridging gaps between science and storytelling, classrooms and communities, access and inspiration.
As my career grew, so did the opportunities to expand my impact. I began working with Twin Cities Public Television on a groundbreaking program called SciGirls, which encourages girls to explore and pursue STEM careers. That partnership opened the door to becoming a national trainer, traveling across the country to share promising practices for engaging youth in STEM, especially helping girls see themselves as scientists, engineers, and innovators.
From there, I continued collaborating with PBS, PBS KIDS stations, and the National Girls Collaborative Project, leading professional development on STEM equity and representation. I’ve had the privilege of presenting at conferences nationwide, equipping out-of-school providers with tools and strategies to make STEM more inclusive, creative, and confidence-building.
My work also extended internationally. I taught science communication in Costa Rica and co-taught in Cornell University’s School of Engineering, helping students connect technical expertise with storytelling and public engagement. Our course attracted students from across disciplines, and together we became the first collegiate PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Lab in the country.
Eventually, I left public media to continue this mission through my own company, SciComm Solutions, where I collaborate with educators and organizations to break down barriers in STEM and beyond.
What part of your career path has surprised you most?
What’s surprised me most is how many unexpected doors open when creativity and curiosity meet purpose. Some of my most meaningful opportunities came from simply thinking differently about how to connect science with people. From sitting on two advisory boards for PBS KIDS programs to helping educators and caregivers use media in out-of-school spaces to empower the next generation.
Over the years, I’ve collaborated with organizations ranging from NASA to community museums, universities, and national youth programs. Those experiences taught me that when we blend storytelling, science, and human connection, innovation follows.
Now, as I build my own business, I’m once again reinventing myself, and that’s both surprising and exciting. My career hasn’t been linear, but that’s the beauty of it. Each twist has led to opportunities I could never have planned, and I have no doubt the next surprise is already waiting around the corner.
Who has supported you on your journey as a mentor, colleague, or friend?
I’ve been fortunate to have many incredible people in my corner, but one who stands out is my friend and mentor, Dr. Julie Nucci, a materials science engineer. Together, we co-developed and taught a science communication course at Cornell University, an experience that combined both of our passions for bridging the gap between science and storytelling. Julie guided me as we built a collegiate-level course from the ground up at an Ivy League institution, and she was also there for me personally when life outside of work became overwhelming.
I later had the honor of featuring her in an award-winning digital series I created called Women in STEM, which spotlighted the real stories, challenges, and triumphs of women across science and engineering fields. The series went on to win “Best Social Media Series” from the National Educational Telecommunications Association (NETA).
Julie once gave me a piece of advice that’s stuck with me ever since: “Try it out. Take the risk. If it doesn’t work, you’ll course-correct.” That perspective helped me let go of the fear of making the perfect choice and instead focus on learning, experimenting, and growing along the way.
What keeps you in the field?
What keeps me in this field is knowing how much work still needs to be done. We still need more underrepresented voices in STEM, more students who see themselves as scientists, engineers, and problem solvers. Too many young people still believe science isn’t “for them,” and too many barriers continue to limit access to the kinds of programs that could change that.
That’s what drives me every day. I want to help break down those barriers and show educators, caregivers, and students that science belongs to everyone. When young people discover that their curiosity, creativity, and unique perspective are what make them great scientists, everything changes. That’s the moment that keeps me here. The spark that reminds me why I started this work in the first place.
As you continue on the journey, what areas of leadership are you developing in yourself?
Right now, I’m focused on growing as a visionary leader. Someone who not only designs programs but builds movements that connect people, ideas, and purpose. I’m learning to slow down just enough to scale up, creating systems and strategies that allow creativity to thrive sustainably.
Recently, I completed the Executive Women in Leadership Certificate program through eCornell, which provided powerful tools for navigating the complexities women face at the executive level such as the double bind of being expected to lead boldly while also conforming to outdated norms. That experience pushed me to examine how I show up as a leader and how I can use my platform to challenge those barriers for others.
I’m also leaning into what I call “authentic leadership” or showing up as my full self, even when it means admitting I don’t have all the answers. That openness has led to deeper collaboration and more innovative work.
Most of all, I’m developing as a mentor and connector. I want to help others, especially women and underrepresented professionals in STEM find their voice, own their expertise, and step into leadership themselves. Because the most powerful kind of leadership isn’t about being in charge; it’s about lighting the way for others.
What skills are the most crucial to succeeding in this field?
Success in the out-of-school time field requires equal parts flexibility, creativity, and heart. You need to be able to adapt quickly, meet students where they are, and make learning feel relevant and real. The best educators in this space know how to turn everyday moments into meaningful discoveries.
Strong communication and collaboration skills are essential, especially when working across different partners, programs, and communities. In OST settings, you’re often the bridge between schools, families, and organizations, so being able to listen, translate, and connect people is a game-changer.
Curiosity and empathy are also critical. You can’t inspire a love of learning if you’re not still learning yourself. The most impactful educators I’ve worked with are those who stay curious, ask questions, and never lose sight of the “why”, helping every young person see that they belong in the world of ideas, innovation, and opportunity.
What would you recommend others pack in their “career backpack”? Why are those items important?
First, pack your curiosity. It’s the compass that keeps you exploring new ideas and directions, even when the path isn’t clear. Add creativity, because out-of-school time work thrives on imagination and the ability to turn challenges into opportunities. And don’t forget resilience. You’ll need it for the days when things don’t go as planned (which, in this field, happens often!).
Confidence and identity belong in there too. Not just for you, but for your team and the young people you serve. The best programs create a sense of belonging, where every person feels seen, valued, and capable of contributing their unique perspective. You don’t have to have all the answers to lead effectively; sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is make space for others to explore, create, and grow.
That belief is what drives my STEM Identity professional development workshops, helping educators strengthen confidence and belonging within their teams and classrooms. When both adults and youth feel supported and connected, learning becomes more than an activity. It becomes a community.
And finally, pack collaboration and compassion. The best journeys aren’t taken alone, and this field is built on lifting others up. When you fill your career backpack with purpose, people, and possibility, you’re ready for whatever adventure comes next.
Tell us about your BOOST adventure? When did you get started?
I was introduced to the BOOST community through the amazing and talented Daniel Hatcher, who brought me into the fold and instantly made me feel at home. My first real BOOST experience came in the fall of 2024, when I had the opportunity to meet the powerhouse herself, Tia Quinn. She’s a true visionary, someone who embodies every quality we should all keep in our professional backpacks.
I was so fortunate to lead a pre-conference workshop for educators on infusing circuits and creativity into out-of-school spaces, a session that combined hands-on fun with real-world STEM learning. And in true BOOST fashion, I didn’t just attend the conference. I dove right in, literally! I joined the “Duck Duck BOOST” relay as part of a team of fruits and veggies, coached by Daniel himself. Let’s just say my corn costume had a mind of its own in the pool, but our team had nothing but heart!
That experience was the perfect introduction to BOOST’s energy, creativity, and community—it’s not just professional development; it’s professional joy.
What is the best mistake you have made in your career? What did you learn from it?
The best mistake I ever made was thinking I had to have all the answers. Early in my career, I treated every challenge like a pop quiz. If a student or team member asked a question, I felt pressure to respond perfectly and immediately. Over time, I realized my job wasn’t to be the expert, but to guide the experience, more cruise director than captain. My role was to create space for curiosity, to help kids think critically, and to make learning an adventure, not a lecture.
I also spent too long waiting for the “right time” to take big steps like starting my own business. That need for certainty was its own kind of safety net. What I learned is that clarity comes after you leap, not before. Once I trusted myself enough to take imperfect action, everything started to align: the work, the purpose, and the impact.
Today, for breakfast, I had…
I had coffee… and ambition. Let’s be honest, that combo fuels most of my mornings more than anything from the fridge.
Meredith White
Your career path has most definitely been an adventure, Nancy! Thank you for the STEM advocacy you continue to move forward for youth, communities, and expanded learning. Your career backpack is full of all good things – and good reminders for us to be curious, confident, collaborative, compassionate, and creative. What wonderful things to bring into our spaces with kids! Thank you for your leadership! Meredith
Deanna Underwood
“Pack your curiosity” – love this! Our field is truly growing and evolving, and this is a great way to stay flexible and continue learning along the way!