Kentucky Ag News Headlines KSU Floating Science Laboratory Delayed Kentucky Ag Connection - 02/05/2010 Kentucky State University now must select a new company to outfit its floating science laboratory, which will delay the project. KSU originally commissioned Sumerset Houseboats to construct and modify its floating science laboratory to meet the U.S. Coast Guard specifications. However, the company recently closed. Although a purchase order had been completed, Sumerset had not begun work on the project nor had KSU made any payments to the company. KSU will now begin looking for another company to work on the 52-foot boat. Once completed, the floating science laboratory will travel the Kentucky River to teach groups of school-aged students about the river's plant and animal life. The boat also will be used in KSU's new master of environmental studies program and in other university classes and programs to help students who are studying water quality and marine life. The university will create a downtown exhibit center in the renovated old federal courthouse that will have displays and models of the plant and animal life in the river as well as information about the river ecology that students can visit after their tour. The exhibit center is only part of the renovation project. KSU received a $1 million grant in 2009 from the National Parks Service as part of the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (federal stimulus money) to aid in the historic renovation of the building. The university is seeking funds to offset the cost of the renovation and is securing an architect to guide the design and restoration of the building. When completed, the new structure will have classrooms to offer more accessible options to state workers and Frankfort residents and will house the Center of Excellence for the Study of Kentucky African American archives. Copyright © 2010 - USAgNet.com. All Rights Reserved.