The Gordon R. Gore Scholarship/Bursary Fund was established to honour Gordon R. Gore and support graduating secondary students from Kamloops and the surrounding region who plan to pursue post-secondary studies in Science or Engineering. Recipients will be selected by the BIG Little Science Centre Society Scholarship/Bursary Committee, with preference potentially given to applicants from Westsyde Secondary School.
Gordon R. Gore – Serving our Community
Gordon R. Gore, founder of the BIG Little Science Centre in Kamloops, was a passionate advocate for science education. He dedicated over 20 years to teaching in School District 73 and earned numerous honours for his contributions, including the 2015 Meritorious Service Medal from the Governor General, an honorary doctorate from TRU, the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada Award for Science Promotion, the B.C. Innovation Council’s Eve Savory Award, the B.C. Premier’s Community Achievement Award, and the Outstanding Science Teacher of the Year Award from the B.C. Science Teachers’ Association.
In addition to his educational work, Gordon was a prolific photographer, producing several volumes of photo compilations and capturing images of wildlife for his collection. He was deeply involved in the Kamloops community, often helping students at the BIG Little Science Centre explore the natural world.
Gordon also spent more than 30 years teaching science and mathematics in secondary schools across Vancouver, Richmond, Kamloops, and Mission. He lectured at UBC and Thompson Rivers University and authored/co-authored over 15 textbooks and 10 books of science experiments for youth. He contributed to the BC Teachers’ Federation with seven lesson aids and around 50 magazine articles. Over the years, Gordon presented more than 80 science shows for schools, community events, and teacher workshops on subjects like photography, science, and physics.
Gordon passed away in 2020 after a courageous battle with ALS, leaving behind a lasting legacy. His life and work continue to inspire those in our community.