About KIMSeattle
What We Do
KIMSeattle is a nonprofit organization that provides K-12 informal science education through authentic laboratory experiences that are relevant to students’ lives, and exposes them to careers not traditionally recognized. Programs can be scheduled as fieldtrips to our laboratory, or as outreach to a school. Program offerings include:
Anatomy of Movement
Drug Heist
B3: Birth, Babies & Biotech
Forensic Facial Reconstruction
Forensic Science Summer Camp
Mission & Vision
The KIMSeattle vision is to interest students in science, medicine and biotechnology early in the course of their education by providing a “peak experience” with the goal of sparking their interest in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) fields. Students receive enriching instruction to extend their knowledge and complete real laboratory experiences traditionally reserved for medical professionals. And they have fun doing it.
Expose.
Hook.
Mentor.
Core Values
Our core values reflect our identity, underlie our success and guide our evolution.
Authentic
Relevant
Explore
Inspire
Understand
We Provide
Authentic lab experience
Relevant experience for students
Careers – connecting student’s passion to STEM
Meet Our Team
Joanie Block
Founder & Executive Director
Prior to forming KIMSeattle, Joanie served as the Chief Operating Officer of Seattle Science Foundation for close to 10 years. As one of the founding members of SSF, Joanie played a crucial role in building partnerships between physicians and industry to develop and create a strong medical education program. Her commitment to medical education led her to collaborate with local schools, educators, and medical professionals to create Kids In Medicine (KIM) in 2008. The focus on STEM for K-12 students led to exponential growth of the program, and ultimately the decision to form a new non profit specifically designed to meet this need. Joanie holds a Masters Degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in Exercise Physiology and Cardiac Rehabilitation, and a Bachelor of Science degree from Ithaca College in Clinical Exercise Science.
Lael McAuliffe
Director of Education & Curriculum Development
Prior to KIMSeattle, Lael was part of Kids in Medicine at the Seattle Science Foundation for over four years. Formerly, she was a Genetic Counselor for pediatric, adult and hereditary cancer genetics. She has also performed laboratory work in the fields of cytogenetics, drug synthesis, and biochemistry. Lael obtained board certification from the American Board of Genetic Counseling after receiving her Master of Biophysics and Genetics from the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center in Denver, and has a B.A. in Biology from St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN.
