Visibility
Sir Harold Kroto, winner of the 1996 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, chats with GRAD students as he signs a soccer ball for the Lamar campus. Dr. Kroto shared the prize for the discovery of Molecule C60, nicknamed the "buckyball," which is in the shape of a soccer ball.
Sir Kroto spoke to ACE and GRAD science students March 20 as the guest of Texas A&M chemistry professor Dr. Eric Simanek.
Bryan ISD has a partnership with the TAMU Chemistry department through a GK12 Grant. Students at GRAD, ACE, Jones and Mitchell are benefitting from this National Science Foundation Grant which pairs Texas A&M University with Bryan ISD. The grant unites students, teachers and scientists to enhance academic performance of students in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and career interest.
WOLF PEN CREEK SCIENCE PARK PROJECT
The P.I. has worked over the last twelve months to have a $4.4M outdoor science splash park constructed in College Station. This effort has entailed chronologically,
| November 2006 | Presentation of concept to the Park District with Permission for a Formal Presentation and Action in May 2006 |
| December 2006 | Partnering with Professor Chris Ellis in the Department of Landscape Architecture for the Generation of Project Charettes |
| January 2007-May 2007 | Working with Ellis and graduate students on design |
| May 2007 | Formal and Public Presentation to the Park District Awarding of “Unanimous and Enthusiastic Support” |
| May 2007 | Opinion Polls in Local Schools |
| June-July 2007 | Meeting with Civic Leaders Bush School, local Winery, Convention and Visitors Bureau |
| July 2007 | Wolf Pen Creek Advisory Board Meeting “Unanimous Support” |
| July 2007 | Consultations with Gessner Engineering on cost estimates |
| August 2007 | Meeting with the Wolf Pen Creek Oversight Board |
| August 2007 | Meeting with the staff of the local Congressman |
| August 2007 | Rotary Club Presentation, Bryan |
| September 2007 | Rotary Club Presentation, College Station |
| September 2007 | Board of Directors, Visitors and Convention Bureau Presentation |
| August 2007 | Joint meeting College Station Independent School District and City Council |
| October 2007 | Meeting with City Manager |
| December 2007 | Meeting with Developer and Represenatives from City Council |
| January 2008 | Meeting the Citizens Advisor Board on Bond Issues |
Momentum garnered at each stage has transformed the project from a concept to an item for consideration for bond issue in the 2008 election. The cost of the project is offset by $2.2M in committed funds for a water feature in the Wolf Pen Creek District as per the agreement with the developer. The following pages include parts of presentations delivered. The park is designed to impact the quality of life in the community through education, environmental conservation, economic stimulation, and enhancing existing infrastructure (a trail system).
