Circuit of the Americas™ Partners With Texas Schools

Del Valle ISD, Huston-Tillotson University, St. Edward's University, Texas A&M University Connect Classrooms with Construction

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Circuit of the Americas

Apr 12, 2011, 04:02 ET

AUSTIN, Texas, April 12, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Students from four Texas schools are playing an important part in building Circuit of the Americas, future home of Formula 1™ and MotoGP™ Grand Prix World Championships. Texas A&M University, St. Edward's University, Huston-Tillotson University and Del Valle ISD are participating in unique partnership programs linking classroom learning to practical application work occurring at the construction site.

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"With Circuit of the Americas we are building a small city," said Tavo Hellmund, Managing Partner of Full Throttle Productions, L.P. and Chairman of Formula 1 United States Grand Prix™. "It offers an incredible opportunity for students in a variety of disciplines to put their classroom lessons to work building what will be a premier business and entertainment destination. At the same time, we benefit from the fresh perspective, creativity and the enthusiasm they bring."

Del Valle

Del Valle ISD has adopted Race to Learn, a cross-curricular teaching resource developed by Formula 1, the AT&T Williams Racing team and the University of Cambridge. Students will also be participating in their own Green Racing Research program to explore ways energy efficient technologies may be used at the site.

"Because we are so close, Circuit of the Americas is almost like our district's home field," said Dr. Richard Vasquez, President of the Del Valle School District Board of Trustees. "It is going to serve as a source of learning and inspiration for generations of students who attend our schools."

Huston-Tillotson

Huston-Tillotson University is putting its students to work at Circuit of the Americas through a summer internship program. Three of the school's students in the Business School will be providing support to the marketing and finance departments.

"The long-term success of Circuit of the Americas is going to depend on smart, energetic graduates," said Dr. Steven Edmond, Professor of International Business at Huston-Tillotson University. "That the owners group recognized this so early in the project is a delight – it shows a great commitment to our young people and to a philosophy of corporate citizenship."

St. Edward's University

Students from the St. Edward's Humanities School Photocommunication program are bringing their keen eyes and cameras to Circuit of the Americas. The images they capture of the construction process will be used to create a commemorative table book.

Photocommunications Professor Joseph Vitone said, "Anytime our students get to train their lenses on a news-making project, it is a win. With Circuit of the Americas, we get the added advantage of having a huge and awe-inspiring story to tell. It will be fascinating to see how their individual images combine into a singular vision."

Texas A&M University

Texas A&M University, already home to the state's Formula Hybrid Race Car Program, is bringing students from its School of Landscape Architecture to the construction phase of Circuit of the Americas as early as Fall 2011. Students will work hand-in-hand with professional landscape designers to install a number of landscape features.

"This project provides a unique opportunity to mutually support our respective visions and missions," said Dr. Jorge Vanegas, Dean of the College of Architecture. "Possible projects and studies can address any topic with the Architecture, Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning, Construction Science or Visualization knowledge domains."

A number of other area schools, including Texas State University and Austin Community College, as well as Austin's Partners in Education nonprofit organization, are also exploring opportunities with Circuit of the Americas.

About Circuit of the Americas

Circuit of the Americas will be a world-class destination for performance, education and business. It will be the first purpose-built Grand Prix facility in the United States designed for any and all classes of racing, from motor power to human power, and be the U.S. home to both the Formula 1 and MotoGP Grand Prix World Championships.

The Circuit of the Americas master plan features a variety of permanent structures designed for business, education, entertainment and race use. Its signature element will be a 3.4-mile circuit track with capacity for 120,000 fans. Other support buildings will include a medical trauma and care training facility, 14 executive meeting suites, a conference center, a banquet hall as well as an expansive outdoor live music space. Future proposed amenities include a driving/riding experience, a motorsports driving club, kart track, grand plaza event center and tower, and a trackside recreational vehicle park.

For more information, visit www.CircuitoftheAmericas.com.

SOURCE Circuit of the Americas