I know I haven't been keeping up with this as much as I should have, and I would like to explain why. In 2011 I spent a lot of money and time pushing this project. I have received wonderful input and support for this endeavor. Unfortunately this did not gain any funding for the project. So I have had to go back to work. This has seriously impacted the amount of time available at home. But it has allowed me to spend a lot of time reviewing the mistakes I have made and plan for the future. No, I and the others involved in this project are not giving up. I have two grandchildren growing up right now and just getting started with their schooling. My ideas on the state of education right now are the same, I still think that we do not look at the big picture, especially in this geographic area. I think there is a crying need for children of this area to be more informed, excited, and willing to take on much more wide-ranging topics than the typical ones taught in our classrooms. I still think if you can provide something to a child that makes them realize, I want to do that, or that's the coolest thing I have seen, you can convince a child to learn Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math. (STEM).. Our country is in desperate need of graduates in these disciplines, and our educational system is failing them. Kudos to Nixa Schools which has the first in the area STEM magnet school. Bravo!! Anyway, I am working hard to revamp our funding process and will be putting together a new board of directors or at least adding to the board currently involved. If you know someone who has an interest in helping a non-profit group develop what I think will be a boon to this area please get them in touch with me. If you would like to get involved as a volunteer for this project please let me know.
Folks we have a unique opportunity in the Ozark's. We can fund a Planetarium, Science and Education Center, and Hubble Museum, and then be able to be self sustaining by entertaining tourists. The Titanic Museum in Branson has attracted 6 million customers in 5 years. That will generate lots of money that can mean a free educational experience for all our schoolchildren.
Please help me fulfill this dream, not for me, but for the future Neil Armstrong's, Einstein's, Hubble's, etc. Our brainpower is being lost by not allowing, or exposing our children's imaginations to take flight. It might help us take flight someday.
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Larry Tate
