Michael Keene, the state's science adviser and director of the Centers of Excellence program in the state Division of Business and Economic Development, said project officials have worked closely with educators and institutions to maximize what The Leonardo will offer.

"I'm not even sure Joe and his compadres are in a position to realize just how different some of those things they are doing really are," Keene told the council. "Everybody gives lip service to the educational aspects of what they do with these kinds of institutions. These folks have involved the science and math education specialists from the state Office of Education from the beginning and have worked very closely with them to make sure this actually works as a working, living institution that interacts with the public schools."

He noted that the science center already has a program visiting schools throughout the state, including rural areas, to help teach and inspire "bright and promising young people out there that struggle with minimal numbers of highly qualified teachers and very limited or no labs at the school."

Council member Peter Genereaux said he once saw how young people can be inspired by learning about Utah innovations and innovators. He saw a group get excited when visiting a Utah Information Technology Association display at the Capitol.

"Kids get turned on by these role models and these examples and see them in their language and see what the possibilities are from their points of view," he said. "They don't say it that way, but that's kind of the outcome."

---

E-mail: bwallace@desnews.com