The YMCA of Honolulu finished a fall-break science camp for local kids, a small but positive story for Honolulu families and schools.

• The camp, called Mission to Mars, ran at St. Patrick's School and mixed science, tech, engineering, art, and math.
• Kids built model planets out of baking soda and vinegar and made spaceships, treating lessons as hands-on play.
• Adding art and design makes math and science feel less scary and reaches kids who learn in different ways.
• The main payoffs are creativity, confidence, teamwork, and problem solving — skills that stick after camp ends.

Outlook: The YMCA wants to run more of these camps across the Honolulu community.