Eagle Scout Serves Former Intermediate School

Brookside Intermediate recently unveiled its new outdoor classroom to students and staff during a special ribbon cutting ceremony.

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John John Rao III, a current Clear Lake High School ninth grader and former Brookside Science Magnet student, created this space for his former school as part of his Eagle Scout Service Project for Boy Scouts of America Troop 554.

“John John approached me to build something that would benefit the school and students,” said Brookside Science Magnet Liaison Joey Segura. “The idea of an outdoor classroom came to life for everyone to use throughout the year in conjunction with the school’s greenhouse and garden.”

Together with members of his troop and his father as the site supervisor, Rao dedicated his summer to developing a construction plan, gathering donations and building the different components. The project includes an outdoor stage, benches and planter boxes.

“Our goal is to use the outdoor classroom and garden in conjunction with some of our core science courses and Science Magnet elective classes that focus on plant science, environmental science and our Texas native fauna and flora course,” said Segura. “We are happy that the stage is also ADA safe with the use of a ramp.”

Rao stated at the ceremony that he was happy to give back to the school and younger students in the Science Magnet Program, which provides a unique science curriculum for students across the district.

“We love when our students come back to Brookside in any capacity, and especially love when they come back to volunteer their time, talents and knowledge,” said Segura. “One of our goals at Brookside and within the Science Magnet Program is to develop STEM leaders. When a student like John John approaches us with a project like this, we know that we have had a positive impact on his life for him to dedicate his summer to improving our school.”

Special thanks to Pasadena Mulch, Home Depot and David Klippel of Max-Pro Solutions Inc. for donating to the project.