Where STEM Meets Celebration: How Jhonnatan Alcivar Brings NYSCI Birthday Parties to Life
At the New York Hall of Science, STEM shows up everywhere — not just in exhibits, but in the ways staff connect with families, create memorable experiences, and help spark curiosity in unexpected moments. For Jhonnatan Alcivar, NYSCI’s Special Events Coordinator, that mission feels personal.
Growing up in Corona, Queens, science was always part of how he made sense of the world. “As a kid, I loved numbers,” he says. “I was always the first one to have my hand up in math class.” That love of problem-solving eventually led him to pursue a degree in economics with a minor in mathematics, while also tutoring beginner chemistry, biology, and physics students in college. But while his academic path was rooted in numbers, his professional journey took an unexpected turn when he joined NYSCI. What first drew him in was something simple: proximity. NYSCI was close to home — part of his community — even if he’d never had the chance to visit as a child.
“Working for something that was so close to my community was something I really wanted to explore,” he says. “And I’m really glad I did.”
He began working in visitor experience, often serving as families’ first point of contact when they arrived at the museum. That role taught him something he still carries into his work today: creating a welcoming experience matters.
Now, as Special Events Coordinator, Jhonnatan helps create the kind of celebrations and experiences that families remember long after the day ends — including NYSCI’s hands-on birthday parties, where STEM becomes part of the fun. “When we do these demonstrations — whether it’s slime or LED gems — the kids get so excited,” he says. “They’re asking questions, they’re experimenting, and when they finish, they can’t wait to show their parents what they made.”
Sometimes, those moments become something even more meaningful. During one recent birthday party, Jhonnatan was explaining how to safely use hot glue during an LED gem activity when one child who had arrived early began repeating his instructions to kids who joined later. “She was making sure everyone was having fun, but also being safe,” he says. “That was really heartwarming.”
It’s those small moments of connection — kids teaching kids, families discovering together — that remind him why this work matters.
Parents often arrive focused on logistics, making sure everything goes smoothly. But Jhonnatan has learned that once the party begins, something shifts. “Once they see their children having fun, they relax. They get to enjoy the experience too.”
That sense of belonging is especially important to him because of NYSCI’s deep connection to the surrounding Queens community, which is where he grew up. “It’s a safe space for families to come and enjoy what we have to offer.”
And for young people still discovering what excites them, his advice is simple: "Try everything at least once. You never know what could become your future calling. And if you already have that passion, don’t let it fade. Keep putting your energy into it — it can grow into something you’ll be proud of.”
Interested in hosting a birthday party at the New York Hall of Science? Birthday parties are a member benefit. Explore membership options here and book a party ASAP: nysci.org/membership
Article By Nicole Casamento
