Site Director: Mrs. Kaylee Nathe
Kaylee "Hollywood" Nathe has been a dedicated member of the STARBASE Fort Harrison team since 2015. A native of Havre, MT, she attended Montana State University-Northern, earning a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. Kaylee began her career at STARBASE as a program instructor, later advancing to deputy director, and in June 2024, she proudly assumed the role of director.
Before joining STARBASE, Kaylee taught a combined 2nd and 3rd grade class in Saco, MT. Her passion for STEAM education shines through every day as she engages and inspires students with hands-on learning experiences. In addition to her extensive teaching experience, Kaylee holds a Master of Education in Learning and Technology from Western Governors University, further solidifying her commitment to innovative and impactful education.
When Kaylee is not at STARBASE, she can be found enjoying time with her husband (Logan), daughter (Alivia), and son (Riley). Together they enjoy traveling and camping. She is also a big fan of spending time with friends and any board game!
Deputy Director/Lead Instructor: Mr. Devon Lawson
Devon "Falcon" Lawson has been passionate about teaching science to students of all ages since 2004. He began his teaching career at the Montana Science Center in Bozeman, where he worked for four years while attending college. After relocating to Helena, Devon spent three years conducting field research as a fisheries technician with Fish, Wildlife, and Parks. He then spent five years as the Director of Education at ExplorationWorks before joining the STARBASE Fort Harrison team in 2016, where he continues to inspire students today. In 2022, Devon earned a Master of Education degree from Western Governor's University.
Outside of teaching, Devon enjoys spending time with his wife Becky, and their two daughters, Miranda and Alice. The family's favorite pastime is fishing, but they also enjoy Sunday drives, building with Legos, and having Nerf gun battles.
Program Instructor: Mrs. Katrina Harris
Katrina "Raven" Harris joined the STARBASE Fort Harrison team in 2026 as a Program Instructor. Originally from Indiana, Katrina has called Montana home since January of 2025 and has enjoyed raising her family here.
Katrina brings four years of experience teaching middle and high school math and science. As an educator, she has always been passionate about helping students learn through discovery and encouraging them to be curious about the world around them. Her background in education made the hands-on, student-centered learning at STARBASE a natural fit.
When Katrina is not working with students, she enjoys spending time with her husband, their two children, and their animals. She also enjoys reading and photography in her spare time.
STARBASE Advanced Coordinator: Ms. Kinsey Vavruska
Kinsey "Newton" Vavruska has been teaching students of all ages formally since 2013, with a focus on math, science, engineering, and robotics. A native of East Helena, she holds a Bachelor's of Science in Mathematics with a Mathematics Teaching Emphasis, a minor in Physics, and a Master's of Science in Mathematics- Mathematics Education from Montana State University in Bozeman.
Kinsey joined the STARBASE Fort Harrison team in 2019 as a program instructor. In 2021, she assumed the role of the STARBASE Advanced Coordinator, providing STEAM activities to middle school and high school students.
When not teaching at STARBASE Fort Harrison, Kinsey spends time encouraging students to go into STEAM with everything from STEAM classes at ExplorationWorks to coaching FIRST Lego League and First Tech Challenge robotics teams around the Helena area. She additionally enjoys spending time with her family and cat, playing board games, reading, and building with LEGOs.