Biographical Statement

A lifelong educator, Todd Boyette, PhD, is just the fifth director in Morehead’s 75-year history. During his time at Morehead, Boyette has expanded outreach programming, spearheaded the transition from analog to digital fulldome planetarium technology, and launched the North Carolina Science Festival. He is currently a member of the UNC School of Education’s clinical faculty teaching both undergraduate and graduate students. He recently served as president of the Association of Science Museum Directors.

Prior to becoming Morehead director in 2006, Boyette was president of the North Carolina Grassroots Science Museums Collaborative, president and CEO of The Health Adventure in Asheville, NC, and director of Imagination Station in Wilson, NC. Boyette holds a doctoral degree in science education from North Carolina State University. He also holds a master’s degree in science education and bachelor’s degrees in science education and chemistry. He is a former high school chemistry teacher.

Education

PhD 2002 – Science Education, North Carolina State University 
MS 1995 – Science Education, North Carolina State University 
BA 1988 – Chemistry, North Carolina State University 
BS 1988 – Science Education, North Carolina State University

Service

• Advocacy, Casemaking and Engagement Committee, Association of Science and Technology Centers, 2022 – present 
• Editorial Board, The Science Educator, 2018 – present

Sponsored Projects

• Morehead Planetarium Accessible and Equitable Science Engagement, William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust, June 1, 2023 – May 31, 2025, $500,000 
• Hidden No More: Shedding Light on Science Stories in the Shadows, National Science Foundation, September 1, 2019 – August 31, 2024, $2,861,646 

Teaching

EDUC 530: Free-Choice Learning in Informal Environments 
EDUC 990: Supervised Research 
EDUC 994: Doctoral Research and Dissertation