As a member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers, I have helped pioneer the SPE Magic Suitcase for teaching school children about the oil industry, launched the SPE MasterDisc for searching SPE technical papers (now called OnePetro.org), and I'm involved in Houston-area science and math literacy initiatives, such as CHASE.
I have two such places. One is a little stream in the woods at the Mercygrove Convent in LeRoy, NY. The other is a little park across the street from the Junior League in Houston. Both are mostly beautiful nature, but with a touch of mankind (bridge, path, bench/planter) to tame it and make it human-friendly.
I want American children to find math and science to be fun, interesting, exciting, and way cool. This will prepare them for high-paying jobs and improve the quality of life for them and for those who benefit from their science discoveries and engineering marvels.
I have a BS degree in Chemistry and worked as a chemist at the Texaco Research Labs. I've also been a librarian, technology magazine editor, and now I'm a technical writer at Occidental Petroleum. I've been very active as an SPE member. Always wanted to be a teacher, but mom & dad (both teachers) talked me into being a scientist instead. But I was elected to the Alief ISD school board, served as president of an education foundation for 10 years, and do guest lectures to get this teaching desire out of my system.
