Clear Creek ISD expands "STREAM" innovation: Space Center Intermediate projects and a College‑Prep Space Engineering pathway

District leaders told the Clear Creek Independent School District Board of Trustees about ongoing and planned STREAM (Science/Technology/Robotics/Engineering/Arts/Math) initiatives at intermediate and high‑school levels, highlighting Space Center Intermediate’s campus program and a planned College‑Prep Space Engineering pathway at the high‑school level.

Dr. Engel introduced the presentation and said the board’s Vision 2030 goals call for intermediate schools to become “centers of innovation, creation and collaboration.” Mr. Moses and Space Center staff described curriculum changes and extracurriculars at Space Center Intermediate: biotech and space projects, new robotics and coding electives, 3‑D printing and maker‑space activities, and “carnival clubs” aligned to student passions. The presentation said eighth graders at Space Center will be eligible to earn high‑school credit through Project Lead The Way, a nationally recognized engineering program, offered on that campus.

The nut graf: district staff described a two‑track approach—an intermediate “stream of innovation” implemented on campus (Space Center Intermediate as an initial pilot) and a higher‑education–linked College Prep STREAM program for juniors and seniors that would keep students at their home high schools while traveling to specialized coursework.

High‑school plan and partnerships: Dr. Laura McKay and Mr. Stanley Zavala presented early development steps for a College Prep STREAM program they described as focused on “space engineering” (defined by staff as living and communicating on the Moon and Mars rather than rocket propulsion). Dr. McKay said the district has applied for grant consideration from the Texas Space Commission and applied to become a member of that commission; she also said the district is collaborating with the Aldrin Foundation and has contacts at NASA Johnson Space Center. “Our dream,” she said, “is to develop a new space engineering curriculum that will eventually be shared across the state of Texas.”

Implementation and scope: Presenters emphasized students would remain enrolled at their home high schools for core coursework and travel to the specialized program for technical coursework; staff said they expect to offer the program in a phased way and are still in the development stage for curriculum, external agreements and partner roles. Trustees asked about points of contact and timelines; staff said ongoing meetings with university and NASA partners are occurring and that course proposals and drafts will be available to trustees this fall as development proceeds.

Ending: Trustees expressed enthusiasm about leveraging the district’s proximity to NASA and regional partners; staff said they will return with further curriculum details, partnership agreements and grant outcomes as development continues.