Meet the Tech Interactive’s 11-year-old president for a day

Leia Goan, who won an online contest to lead the San Jose science center for a day, says she can't wait to check out the bioluminescent bacteria and design her own rollercoaster.

The Tech Interactive new president has a massive interest in space and science, and she won the job through a highly competitive process. She’s also 11 years old and about to start the sixth grade in Athens, Alabama.

Her name is Leia Goan, a self-described science nerd who won the “President for a Day” contest hosted by the online kids community Zigazoo with an idea for an immersive, space-themed exhibit. On Wednesday, she’ll spend the day taking over for Katrina Stevens — the Tech’s president and CEO the other 364 days of the year.

“I thought I probably won’t win this, but that’s OK, I had fun doing the video,” Leia said. “And look where I am now. When I found out, I was just like, ‘I can’t believe it.’ ”

And it sounds like she’s already got the smarts to be a Silicon Valley executive. She’s skipping the boring meetings and planning to head directly to the Tech’s hands-on exhibits. “I get to explore the amazing museum for free. I know they have a whole bunch of exhibits and they all look really fun,” said Leia, who added that she can’t wait to check out the bioluminescent bacteria in the BioDesign Studio and design her own rollercoaster.

She’ll have some official duties, too, including trekking through the mango museum on a photo scavenger hunt, interacting with visitors and meeting with the press in her new role as a leader in the science and technology world. Of course, any good president has assistants, so Leia is bringing along her parents, Josh and Shirley Goan. And instead of giving them boring titles like Vice President of Whatever, she’s designating them Thing 1 and Thing 2. How’s that for efficient?

Leia’s experience at the Tech will probably just fuel an already strong affinity for science and space travel. She says she hopes to be a scientist or astronomer in the future and perhaps a naval aviator and eventually an astronaut. (She’s been to Space Camp in Houston three times since she was 9.) While she does plenty of “regular kid” stuff too, like playing video games, rollerskating, building with LEGO, drawing and painting, she’s had an interest in space since first grade and checked out a book related to space every day of second grade.

“My advice for Leia is to fully embrace her experience and to be as candid as possible,” said Stevens, who will be having lunch with her temporary replacement. “She will have fresh eyes on our exhibits so we’re excited to hear her suggestions. As a CEO, I try to be as inclusive and welcoming as possible with everyone who ventures through our doors, and I hope she, too, has the opportunity to engage with our visitors, leaving an indelible mark on their hearts and minds.”

ROLLING RIGHT ALONG: If you’ve been wondering what Good Karma Bikes is up to, the nonprofit, second-hand bike shop has moved from Midtown Mercantile on Lincoln Avenue to a new location at 82 S. Montgomery St., right next to Diridon Station in San Jose. I pedaled over there myself last week to check out the new digs — the location used to be a sports memorabilia shop behind Poor House Bistro, which itself was wheeled last year.

CEO Jim Gardner says one benefit of the new location is that it puts Good Karma closer to a lot of the people it’s trying to serve, and that’s a good thing. Volunteers were already hard at work refurbishing donated bikes, which are then upcycled and provided to those in need or sold through the retail operation. Good Karma has given away nearly 10,000 bikes since its start in 2009 and has provided countless hours of service and instruction so people who rely on bikes can keep them on the road safely. Check them out at www.goodkarmabikes.org.

BLOCK PARTY THREE-PEAT: The nonprofit Urban Vibrancy Institute continues to build on its Downtown Block Party success with this summer’s third event planned for San Pedro Square on Thursday. UVI Executive Director Eric Glader says there’ll be some unique activations for the downtown hotspot, including Eastside Funk and DJ Rick Gascon playing tunes under the San Pedro Square sign at Santa Clara Street.

But there’ll be some overlap with other events including SPUR’s Summer Social at Blanco Urban, Farmers Union’s 10th anniversary and Tabard Theatre’s regular Thursday night karaoke. The San Jose Fire Museum on Market Street will be open for part of the evening, and the historic Fallon House and the Gonzalez/Peralta Adobe will be open for tours, too. And there’ll be plenty of music, food and drinks available at some of the usual San Pedro Square favorites like O’Flaherty’s, Five Points, SP2 Communal Bar, Sushi Confidential and San Pedro Square Market. The party gets started at 5:30 p.m.