Meet Kara Noreika

Vice President

What inspired you to get involved with the Children’s Museum?
“Growing up here, I’ve always known Sarasota as a beautiful but somewhat sleepy town. After spending 15 years in Tampa and experiencing the dynamic children’s museums there, I realized what Sarasota was missing. My children were so engaged by those interactive learning experiences! Seeing the need for more family-oriented activities here, especially with the influx of new families, I felt driven to help bring a children’s museum to Sarasota. It’s both a personal and community dream to make this a reality.”

Can you share a favorite childhood memory that sparked your passion for Sarasota to have a children’s museum and you being a part of bringing that to reality?
“Growing up in the 80s, exposure to technology was very limited. I remember getting my first computer and I was beyond excited. I spent hours copying the programs from the manual that was included with the computer, carefully typing in each line, for the end result to be as simple as a red box being printed on screen. I was fascinated and hooked. Eventually, I grew up to be a computer programmer! This early introduction to technology was magical, but it was a path I stumbled upon more than followed. I envision the museum as a place that offers that kind of pivotal, eye-opening exposure to young minds, potentially setting them on their future paths much earlier and with more clarity than I had.”

What’s an interactive exhibit or educational program you would love to see at the museum, and why?
“An entrepreneurial program for kids would be thrilling. Imagine a program where children could run a real business, tackling everything from brainstorming and problem-solving to actual sales. It would not only teach them about the various roles within a company but also give them a taste of real-world business dynamics and the thrill of earning their first dollars through their creativity and hard work.”

If you could have any superpower to help you in your role, what would it be and why?
“The ability to clone myself would be my choice—there are endless exciting projects and so little time!  I would be able to dive into every creative opportunity that the museum has to offer and ensure that no good idea goes unexplored.”

What are your hobbies or special talents that might surprise people?
“I spend so much time in a digital world as a web developer that I enjoy creating physical things. Whether it’s creating jewelry, making Christmas ornaments or building things within my home, sometimes it’s nice to step away from the computer and create in other ways.”

If you could host a dinner party with any three characters from children’s books or movies, who would they be and why?
“A dinner with Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley would be enchanting. The magic and endless possibilities that they represent are exactly the kind of inspiration I hope to bring into every child’s experience at the museum.”