Whale Cove (Sep 24/03) - The Kivalliq Science Culture Camp has returned after a year hiatus.

The event is being held Sept. 24-28, at the Churchill Northern Studies Centre.

A group of about 30 high school students and teachers from each Kivalliq hamlet will attend the event.

Arviat elder Luke Anowtalik will also be on hand to share traditional stories and his kayak expertise with the students.

Inuglak school teacher Katie McDonald of Whale Cove says the camp is sponsored by a non-profit group of volunteers in the region, Kivalliq Science Educators Community, who work to promote science education and learning. Every Kivalliq school is represented in the group.

In addition to the Kivalliq Science Culture Camp, the group also oversees the Kivalliq Regional Science Fair and sponsors Science and Technology week and the Science Olympics.

McDonald says Churchill is hosting the camp due to its excellent facilities.

"The centre has a great kitchen, dormitory styled rooms, and ample classroom and lab space," says McDonald.

"Centre researchers are also very generous in working with the students and sharing their research."

A central theme

McDonald says the camp program is geared to reflect the goals of the science program across Nunavut.

She says the group hopes to eventually rotate the camp among Northern communities, with each year focusing on one of the Nunavut secondary school science program's three themes. "The program is still being developed, but we want each year to reflect either oceans (Grade 11), terrestrial ecosystems (Grade 10) or atmosphere and climate (Grade 12).

"That's important because the students receive a credit for their work at the camp."

The camp's central theme is also linked to a traditional science, with this year's being kayaks. "This promises to be a very interesting week for the students.

"In addition to kayaks, they'll learn a lot about oceans and investigating waters using internationally recognized protocols.

"Rooming together at the dorm also helps the kids develop close bonds with each other, which is an important social aspect of the camp."