Emporia Main Street and the Emporia State Peterson Planetarium want your input on how to grow and develop the budding Science on Main partnership.
A year ago, the two entities, Main Street America and the Simons Foundation partnered to bring a scale model of the solar system to Emporia through a two-part grant, one to explore options and another to implement the plan. Planetarium Director Mark Brown had been planning something similar for years through his work as a NASA Solar System Ambassador and his ongoing work as a college professor.
This puts Earth at Emporia State’s Sunken Gardens, with the gas giants — Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune — further south to Soden’s Grove. Pluto will also be included, even though it is no longer considered as a planet. Brown says the project has enlisted local stoneworker Rocky Slaymaker for the planetary pedestals.
Main Street Director Casey Woods says this is a good partnership to bring campus and community together.
Woods also says this becomes an automatic tourist attraction.
A survey is now underway online, seeking input on historical scientific events or discoveries; area scientists; unique natural features; notable agricultural products; ideal science conditions; and volunteering opportunities. Click here for the survey link.
