AURORA — The students of S.W. Snowden and the Aurora community as a whole had something to celebrate Saturday, as eighth graders from the school were recognized for having the highest science test scores in Beaufort County this past semester.

Overall, the S.W. Snowden eighth grade achieved 86.6% proficiency in science during end of grade testing. Science teacher Judy Cleary largely attributes this accomplishment to partnerships between the school and organizations like NASA and the Aurora Fossil Museum.

“I think one of the biggest things was that they were also involved with the NASA partnership when they were in the fourth and the fifth grade, and for the past two years, they were involved in the Imagine-NC Camp that was sponsored by the fossil museum as part of the Burroughs Wellcome Grant,” Cleary said. “These kids have been immersed in science through hands-on experiences in the community, and I think that made all the difference for them.”

During the NASA partnership, which lasted two years, the school had access to a variety of resources from the space agency at all grade levels. Students even had a chance to visit NASA Research Center in Langley, Virginia.

Locally, Cleary says the Imagine-NC Camp at the Aurora Fossil Museum has also had a profound impact on her students. The weeklong summer camp has kids working with East Carolina University professors and interns, conducting experiments and getting hands-on experiences with science.

“It really opened their eyes to all the possibilities that there are,” Cleary said. “These people embraced them and gave them so much support and belief that I think it carried over. When we took the standardized test, it meant something and was real to them, whereas sometimes testing is not.”

Beyond the test taking, Cleary says these students have latched on to the hands-on aspect of science as well. Some of those same students who have attended the Imagine-NC Camp in recent years have also gone back to serve as mentors for younger students, helping expose the next generation to science.

Moving forward, Cleary has high hopes for the science program at S.W. Snowden. From building on the existing robotics program to adding new project-based learning experiences, the sky is the limit for the young scientists at the school.

“To me, that’s what makes all the difference with students — if they get their hands into a project, they will remember it,” Cleary said. “If you tell me, I might remember, but if I do it, I will remember it forever. If I teach somebody else, then I’m a master at it.”