Influential Woman · STEM education
Kim Arnold
K-12 Progams Manager, Terra Science and Education
Syracuse, NY 13204
Her Story
About Kim
Kimberly Arnold is a dedicated STEM educator with over 16 years of experience. She began her career path after studying marine biology and environmental science in college, influenced by the Exxon Valdez crisis and her high school guidance counselor. Arnold owned an imagination playground for young children before serving as Director of Education at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo in Syracuse, New York, for 10 years. She recently transitioned to the role of K-12 program manager at Terra Science and Education, where she focuses on project-based learning through Maker Faires, science fairs, and the Invention Convention. Arnold helps run LGBTQ Syracuse and received the Beyond Changemaker Award in 2025 for mentoring queer youth, including using her influence to establish a special day to celebrate queer families at the zoo. She emphasizes values such as empathy, compassion, advocacy, authenticity, courage, kindness, and bravery in her work and personal life, and advises young women in STEM to build confidence, take up space, seek mentors, and never stop learning.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Kim
01What do you attribute your success to?
Arnold attributes her success to curiosity, persistence, and a genuine desire to make a difference. She has never been someone who is satisfied with simply doing things the way they’ve always been done.
She also says having a supportive partnership at home makes a huge impact in her ability to be a champion of change.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Step outside of your comfort zone!
She quickly learned that you don’t necessarily need to have every answer before you start something. You just need to be willing to learn, ask questions, surround yourself with people who know things you don’t, and keep moving forward.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Make sure young women know it's okay to be curious, take up space, be heard, not underestimate their skills, and find a mentor. Also, be in the places where decisions are made, because talking to other people opens doors.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Kids have learning loss with COVID and lack life skills. Project-based hands-on learning builds skills like getting feedback, failing and learning from mistakes, making budgets, and public speaking. Invention Convention is a great opportunity, like Shark Tank for kids, and includes all students K-12. This program also can lead to entrepreneurial opportunities.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Empathy, compassion, advocacy, authenticity, courage, kindness, bravery. Being yourself and stepping outside as the true you. Self-care through unplugging with family in nature.
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