Longhorn Project not short on educational opportunities
2016-02-19
Clear Creek Independent School District (CCISD) students were invited to volunteer at Johnson Space Center with the Longhorn Project at the end of January. The Longhorn Project, a long-standing partnership with JSC that helps with animal and environmental research, hosts many programs to help students of all ages who are interested in the environment. One of its flagship activities includes helping CCISD students raise Texas Longhorn cattle for show at the annual Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.
Early this year, many Clear Horizons Early College High School students gathered in front of JSC’s Rocket Park to meet with Andrea Wilson, chairman of the Advisory Board for the Longhorn Project, and her team of highly specialized gardeners. Throughout the morning the students helped in the gardens by composting, planting trees in garden beds and working with the seedlings in their greenhouse.
The students were delighted with the work they were doing and were keen on coming back again to help in any way.
“I would definitely come back,” said Jane Bowman, a Clear Horizons junior. “I believe the work they are doing with sustainability is really unique, and more organizations should follow in the Longhorn Project’s footsteps to protect our environment.”
Wilson encouraged the students who muscled through the volunteer shift to join some of the upcoming independent study programs being offered in the fall, including Aquaculture, Prairie Grasses and Phorbes, Composting, and Seedling Growing.
“I'm so pleased that through the Longhorn Project, students not only had the opportunity to volunteer, but to be exposed to educational and career opportunities in agriculture as it relates to sustainability and space exploration,” Wilson said.
Harkening back to the Clear Lake area’s more rugged history, the Longhorn Project is a small microcosm in JSC’s backyard that creates additional educational opportunities for kids in a safe and stimulating environment. The project marries the past to the present and future in a uniquely fulfilling way—a win-win for students and mentors alike.
From left, at the Western Heritage Pavilion patio: Alex Palmer; Jane Bowman; Noah Palmer; Andrea Wilson, chairman, Longhorn Project; Chloe Reid; and Henry Wilson, Longhorn Project ranch hand. Image courtesy of Sharyn Bristol.
Sharyn Bristol
NASA Johnson Space Center
Early this year, many Clear Horizons Early College High School students gathered in front of JSC’s Rocket Park to meet with Andrea Wilson, chairman of the Advisory Board for the Longhorn Project, and her team of highly specialized gardeners. Throughout the morning the students helped in the gardens by composting, planting trees in garden beds and working with the seedlings in their greenhouse.
The students were delighted with the work they were doing and were keen on coming back again to help in any way.
“I would definitely come back,” said Jane Bowman, a Clear Horizons junior. “I believe the work they are doing with sustainability is really unique, and more organizations should follow in the Longhorn Project’s footsteps to protect our environment.”
Wilson encouraged the students who muscled through the volunteer shift to join some of the upcoming independent study programs being offered in the fall, including Aquaculture, Prairie Grasses and Phorbes, Composting, and Seedling Growing.
“I'm so pleased that through the Longhorn Project, students not only had the opportunity to volunteer, but to be exposed to educational and career opportunities in agriculture as it relates to sustainability and space exploration,” Wilson said.
Harkening back to the Clear Lake area’s more rugged history, the Longhorn Project is a small microcosm in JSC’s backyard that creates additional educational opportunities for kids in a safe and stimulating environment. The project marries the past to the present and future in a uniquely fulfilling way—a win-win for students and mentors alike.
From left, at the Western Heritage Pavilion patio: Alex Palmer; Jane Bowman; Noah Palmer; Andrea Wilson, chairman, Longhorn Project; Chloe Reid; and Henry Wilson, Longhorn Project ranch hand. Image courtesy of Sharyn Bristol.
Sharyn Bristol
NASA Johnson Space Center
Students Noah Palmer, Corey Walton and Alex Palmer at the pond area. Image courtesy of Sharyn Bristol.
NASA mentor Phong Ngo, far right, gardens with the students. Image courtesy of Sharyn Bristol.
Nick Justiz and Louisa Jones, master gardener, work with the new wood chipper. Image courtesy of Sharyn Bristol.
From left, greenhouse gardening with Farzaan Ayoub, Jane Bowman and Chloe Reid. Image courtesy of Sharyn Bristol.