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RANKIN INLET - A group of 15 Rankin Inlet youth had fun while they learned during an Actua science program earlier this month.

Actua supports a growing network of members across Canada who offer handson summer camps, workshops and community outreach initiatives to more than 225,000 youth in 375 communities annually.

Hope Makpah and Layla Autut, right, work to construct an Inukshuk during an Actua science camp on the land near Rankin Inlet earlier this month. - photo courtesy of Actua

This month's week-long camp was made even more special for the kids, aged 10 to 14, by the presence of Rankin student Lori Tagoona as an instructor.

Tagoona was hired for the summer by Actua while attending the Nunavut Sivuniksavut program in Ottawa.

She was joined in Rankin by fellow instructors Marc Higgins of New Brunswick and Analise Saely of British Columbia.

Actua chief executive officer Jennifer Flanagan said the program workshop was held at the Pulaarvik Kablu Friendship Centre and a camp was also held on the land.

She said the week featured a number of fun-filled activities dealing with science and engineering.

"Actua is all about promoting the science and technology of everyday life to youth in order to show them how exciting science can be and how relevant it is to them," said Flanagan.

"We worked with members of the community to develop our on-land component of the program. The kids took part in a science magic show, learned about electricity and took part in a hearing activity that had them construct beluga ears.

"The ears allowed them to hear like a beluga whale and they learned about the various ways their auditory and hearing systems work."

Flanagan said the youth learned how to use a GPS while on the land. She said they were also taught traditional ways by elders and took part in activities that focused on Inukshuk building.

"The camp was a great way of combining something modern like the GPS with traditional activities.

"The program is all about having fun while experiencing science.

"And, also, about working with the community to show them how much science and traditional knowledge overlap.

"This was our second time in Rankin and our instructors tend to learn as much as the kids there because it's such a unique experience for them, as well."