School District teacher receives public service award from NASA

Awarded for dedication to students, science, and animals

From the Clear Creek Independent School District

June 25, 2007

LEAGUE CITY – Cindy Schnuriger, the lead agriculture science instructor and program manager of the Center for Agriculture, Science, and Engineering (CASE), received NASA’s Exceptional Public Service Medal recently for her tireless energy and countless hours dedicated to an innovative partnership between NASA and CCISD. This partnership provides students the opportunity to breed and raise longhorn on Johnson Space Center property, enroll in specialized courses such as genetics, and be mentored by NASA staff.

“It was an extreme honor to be listed among leaders from the University of Texas, Barrios Technology, and Lockheed Martin,” said Schnuriger. “Also, to have Robert Cabana and Michael Coats present the award to me was simply awesome.”

In 1996, NASA initiated the Longhorn Project where the space agency donated a 60-acre tract of land for CCISD to use for educational purposes and Texas longhorn breeders donated animals for the students to raise and breed. Since the program inception and under Schnuriger’s leadership, the project has grown into an entire program dedicated to agriculture, science, and engineering.

“We are very fortunate to have Cindy spearheading this important effort,” said Nancy Mallini, CCISD Director of Career and Technology. “Under her management, we now offer a multitude of academic experiences for all grade levels. In fact, beginning this fall CCISD will offer the first vet-tech certification.”

CCISD Archive