This week's story that students at North Attleboro High School won first place in a Six Flags amusement park-sponsored contest to design and build a model of the rollercoaster of the future with K'nex construction toy parks was delightful ... but not all that surprising.

We've been reporting for several years that NAHS has found the secret to making science fun, as well as challenging. In state science fair competition, the school has become what would be called a dynasty in the sports world. The coaster built under high-pressure deadline conditions by Jesse White, Ethan Warner, Jared Picchi, Kyle Zumke and Tim O'Halloran can be added to the long "oh wow" list produced by the school's science department.

It hardly seems coincidental that both the valedictorian at Friday night's graduation exercises, Brittany Pereira, and salutatorian Stephanie McNamara are planning on careers in science. That should bring a smile to Attleboro's Women At Work Museum and other organizations who have been trying to break the gender barriers that have largely kept women out of science careers.

Newsworthy numbers

$5: The current health insurance co-pay for Mansfield town employees. $15: The co-pay under a new coverage plan.

$450,000: The amount the town expects to save under the plan.

2.6-3.2 percent: The increase in the town's costs under the changes.

9-9.5 percent: The increase without the changes.

Similar numbers are at play for North Attleboro, Norton, Plainville and Seekonk, which are members of a 19-town health care coalition headed by Mansfield town manager John D'Agostino.

Approval is needed from town employee unions, members of which probably aren't too pleased by the thought of a $10 increase for each co-pay. They'll do well to remember, though, that many of the taxpayers from whom their salaries and benefits are derived are paying far more than $15 co-pays and that layoffs and other cutbacks are looming if health care costs are not reined in.

What's doin'

If you're reading this before 9 a.m., you may have time to make it to the Balfour Riverwalk in Attleboro for a hike in honor of National Trails Day, which will be a fine opportunity to discover some of the surprising natural beauty of the downtown area. If you're looking for old-fashioned fun to fill out Sunday's schedule, don't forget the Field Day sponsored by the two South Attleboro Lions Clubs at Lees Pond.

'Star of the Day'

Even though it is non-competitive, there is something about the "Curtain Call" show on Attleboro Cable Access that reminded us of "Community Auditions," a weekly talent contest televised out of Boston for years. Call it corny if you like, but there is something about seeing the guy or gal next door singing on TV that we found charming.

But the curtain is ringing down on the show, host Bill Hobin announced this week. "It's going to leave a void," said Cable Access President Ed Stanton. We hope some local talent scout or organizers of an on-hour coffee house or the like steps up to fill it.

Adieu to spring

Officially, summer doesn't arrive until June 21, but recent headlines say otherwise. We reported the year's first water ban - in Mansfield - on Friday and the annual mosquito warning a couple days earlier. On a more positive note, the following headline appeared last Sunday: "It's golf tourney time again."