Established in honour of Gordon R. Gore to provide scholarships/bursaries for graduating secondary students from Kamloops and region who intend to enrol in Science or Engineering in their post-secondary education. Selection will be made by the BIG Little Science Centre Society Scholarship/Bursary Committee. Preference may be given to Westsyde Secondary School Applicants.
Gordon R. Gore – Serving our Community
Gordon R. Gore is best known by kids today as the founder of BIG Little Science Centre here in Kamloops, but over the years he has not only spent 20+ years teaching in School District 73, but has also earned a number of honours and awards. Mr. Gore’s exemplary dedication to science education in our communities led to the establishment of this scholarship award in his honour in 2016.
To name just a few of Mr. Gore’s other honours and awards: 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, B.C. Innovation Council’s Eve Savory Award, the B.C. Premier’s Community Achievement Award and an Outstanding Science Teacher of the Year Award from the B.C. Science Teachers’ Association.
Gordon has also dedicated time to another favourite hobby – photography. Producing several volumes of photo compilations, Mr. Gore is a prolific photographer and multi-faceted individual who continues to be involved in our community, whether it’s taking photos of wildlife for his collection or helping classes of students at the BIG Little Science Centre to understand our world.
Not only has Gordon taught science and mathematics in secondary schools in Vancouver, Richmond, Kamloops, and Mission for over 30 years, he has also lectured at the University of British Columbia and Thompson Rivers University. Mr. Gore has authored/co-authored over 15 textbooks and 10 books of science experiments for youth. He also leaves a legacy to the BC Teacher’s Federation in the form of seven lessons aids and around 50 magazine articles. Starting in 1970 and continuing to the present, Gordon has presented over 80 science shows for school and community events, as well as teacher workshops on photography, science and physics.
Diagnosed with ALS, but continuing to live a full life, Gordon is an inspiration and an asset to our community. He can frequently be found making the rounds of nearby parks in his power chair to take photos of the natural world.