SCORE saves day, spells good things for future

If you hadn’t noticed, there are a few more youngsters in town this week. It’s SCORE camp and the every-other-year program is infiltrating sites in Imperial and Champion as youths in grades 1-6 enjoy hands-on science learning.
    Starting in 1989, SCORE was the brainchild of Sue Renken and Marla Smith, who wanted to provide summer education centered on science. What started with 165 participants in the first SCORE in 1989 has grown to 330 this year.
    While our science teachers here do a great job, youngsters’ interest and excitement about science can only be enhanced with the presenters SCORE camp brings in from across Nebraska and other states.
    Not only are the youths engaged in science learning all this week, SCORE always makes an effort to include the public. Don’t forget that today (Thursday) is another public outreach program at the school with shows beginning at 8 a.m., 9:15 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and 12 noon, with displays from AmeriHeart and AmeriBrain, Mad Science, Wildlife Encounters and CAPOW.
    “Science Saves The Day” is this year’s SCORE camp theme. Super hero promotion can be seen throughout the school where youths meet each morning, while staff members and presenters sport their Superman T-shirts.
    With the huge influx of youths from throughout the area and several states, think about the economic development SCORE brings to this area. There is food to buy, supplies needed and spending in stores that definitely also provides a boost in the community.
    Science, often considered mundane and maybe even a bit nerdy in the past, is pretty cool these days. SCORE camp only enhances that outlook. As important as science is in our everyday lives, that spells good things for the future.