ISU Professor Honored by Kiwanis Club of Pocatello

Recently, Steve Shropshire, professor of physics, was named Kiwanian of the Year by the Kiwanis Club of Pocatello. The award honors a member of the club who best exemplifies the group’s motto of “Serving the Children of the World.”

“Steve consistently demonstrates a passion for serving children by teaching them scientific concepts with fun hands-on activities,” said Jonathan Balls, president of the Kiwanis Club of Pocatello. “He is the driving force behind several successful projects for the Kiwanis Club of Pocatello.”

“I am honored to receive this award and grateful that my efforts to share my love of science with youth in our community are appreciated and valued by one of the most active and impactful service clubs in our area that serves children,” Shropshire said.

Shropshire is best known for traveling to schools across Idaho, bringing different STEM-related demonstrations and activities to their classrooms and assemblies with the help of ISU students. He is also the organizer of the annual Haunted Science Laboratory and the Water Rocket Festival, held in conjunction with the Kiwanis Club of Pocatello’s annual Bing Hong Pancake Breakfast. Annually, he estimates that more than 3,000 youth participate in an event or demonstration. 

“For me, the best part of my science outreach efforts is the joy I feel when I share really cool stuff with kids, and to see that interest and wonder reflected in them,” Shropshire said. “Nothing is cooler than science.”

If you’re an educator and would like to have Shropshire visit your classroom, he can be reached at steveshropshire@isu.edu. 

For more information on the Kiwanis Club of Pocatello and ISU’s Department of Physics, contact Jonathan Balls at (208) 235-3212 or visit isu.edu/physics, respectively.