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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Medford's black bear moves on ... Howard Prairie to host ODFW event ... VIDEO: Woman shares her story of self-injury ... Medford's black bear moves on ... Howard Prairie to host ODFW event ... VIDEO: Woman shares her story of self-injury ... EDUCATION ScienceWorks' executive director gets new job in Pittsburgh Comment By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune Follow @@RyanPfeil MailTribune.com By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune Follow @@RyanPfeil Posted May. 6, 2016 at 2:42 PM Updated May 6, 2016 at 3:46 PM By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune Follow @@RyanPfeil Posted May. 6, 2016 at 2:42 PM Updated May 6, 2016 at 3:46 PM » Social News ASHLAND — The director of ScienceWorks Hands-on Museum will leave his post after five years, the museum announced Friday. Chip Lindsey will step down at the end of June to take a job at the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh, where he will serve as the education director, according to a news release. ScienceWorks board president Steve Utt will serve as interim director until a permanent replacement is found. That search, which museum officials said will be nationwide, will start in the next week or so. Lindsey said the decision was a difficult one, but said he is looking forward to his new role at a facility he considers a "national leader" in education and creative exhibits. "The opportunity to learn, again, a new set of chops is very interesting to me," Lindsey said. "The opportunity was a very difficult decision to make, but I think it's going to be a good decision for me, and good for my family." He also praised his colleagues, museum patrons, and the community at large. "We're leaving a big chunk of ourselves here," Lindsey said. Museum attendance increased 30 percent during Lindsey's tenure, with 63,000 visitors in 2015, including more than 8,000 students on school field trips, and the museum's budget grew nearly 70 percent — from $650,000 to $1.1 million — during the same time period, the release said. "I was very sad to hear that he was leaving. He’s been so wonderful," said museum development coordinator and board member Sharon Javna. "(But) I’m also very excited for his family to start this new chapter in their lives. I’m also excited for the museum, which has never been in better shape to attract strong leadership." The museum, at 1500 E. Main St. in Ashland, opened in 2002. It is described as a hands-on learning facility with more than 100 interactive exhibits. The facility has hosted numerous special exhibits, collaborating with entities such as the Smithsonian Institution, the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry and NASA. Lindsey said his favorite exhibits during his time at the museum included a recent interactive geology exhibit, and a 2014 exhibit with life-sized animatronic dinosaurs that interacted with museum patrons. "It sparked everybody's imagination," Lindsey said. "I think it allowed people to come and see ScienceWorks differently than they expected to see." Reach reporter Ryan Pfeil at 541-776-4468 or [email protected]. Follow him at www.twitter.com/ryanpfeil . By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune Follow @@RyanPfeil MailTribune.com By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune Follow @@RyanPfeil Posted May. 6, 2016 at 2:42 PM Updated May 6, 2016 at 3:46 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2016 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501