Science adventures

Marissa Espino

HUNTINGTON BEACH -- Bobby Richards pored over his manual at

Huntington Beach Central Park Tuesday morning, trying to unlock the

mystery of building a motorized robot.

“I love the projects,” the 12-year-old said. “It’s so hands-on and a lot

of the stuff doesn’t get covered in school.”

About 80 children attend the Science Adventures summer day camp, but

Bobby said he’s already an old hand at it.

“I’m a veteran of this,” Bobby said. “I loved it ever since I started it

[three years ago].”

The summer program, which started in Huntington Beach in 1979, has grown

to more than 245 sites in 16 states. A year-round program is also offered

at more than 2,000 schools and community centers nationwide.

Students learn how to create several projects including robots, rockets

and roller coasters. The program is designed to exercise critical

thinking skills through interactive science activities, organizer say.

“It’s all about the need for keeping science literacy high in America,”

said Eric Counihan, the program’s marketing coordinator. “Sometimes

science can be intimidating.”

The weeklong summer programs run from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and are divided

into various age groups. Each one is $205.

Science instructor Kristen Rish, who is back for her second year of

teaching at the summer camp, said teaching in the park adds to the

experience. It takes the kids out of stuffy classroom and allows them to

see science in action through hands-on activities, she said.

“They get to put what they have been learning into practice,” Rish said.

“It’s a fun way to learn higher concepts.”