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RANKIN INLET - A group of rockets could be seen flying around schools in Rankin Inlet this past month.

The rockets were part of the annual Science Education Technology (SET) Challenge, which is also referred to as the Science Olympics.

Maani Ulujuk high school (MUI) science teacher Katharine O'Connell said every grade from seven to 12 took part in the event.

She said each grade was given a different type of rocket to create.

"Basically, the goal was to use teamwork and scientific thinking to come up with the best design using the material they were given," said O'Connell.

"Each grade was given the same materials in its category, so there was no advantage in that respect.

"The result of the rockets' flights were judged either by the furthest distance travelled or the highest height obtained."

Grade 7 students used film canisters and Alka-Seltzer to see whose rocket would fly the highest.

Grade 8 and Grade 9 students used rubber-band rockets and were judged by the distance travelled, the same as the bottle rockets made by Grade 10 students and up.

An electric pump was used to supply air pressure to launch the bottle rockets.

First place for the Grade 6-7 fizz rockets went to Scott Morey, Derek White and Anthony Arnarauyak.

The team of Marilyn Sandy, Marylou Angidlik and Janine Gordon took top spot for the Grade 89 rubber-band rockets, while first place for the Grade 1012 water rockets went to Darla Pilakapsi and Mary Tagalik.

The Grade 7 students worked in groups of three, while Grade 8-9 were in groups of three or four, and Grade 10-12 in groups of two or three.

O'Connell said this event marked the first time MUI hosted the SET Challenge as a school-wide event.

She said it was encouraging to see the positive results that came from promoting science to the entire student body at once.

"We had about 120 students participate at MUI.

"They seemed to have a great time working on the projects and they had a lot of fun when it came time to actually launch the rockets, especially the bigger bottle rockets in the gym.

"They couldn't wait to get to the testing areas and they all got excited if they placed well in the standings.

"The top finishers received a medal and a T-shirt, and their names will go on a plaque in the school."

O'Connell said teamwork was an important aspect of the group approach.

She said having the students create a team name, theme or colours helped promote teamwork skills.

"That approach worked very well and helped get the students really excited about doing the project.

"Some of the names or themes they came up with were almost as colourful as their rockets."

Teacher Barbara Legacy-Porter organized the SET Challenge at Leo Ussak elementary school in Rankin.

She said the kindergarten to Grade 2 students made rockets using balloons, while Grade 3-4 students made rocket launchers with two-litre pop bottles or ketchup containers.

"They'd stomp on the launcher with their foot and the air pressure would send the rocket across the gym," said Legacy-Porter.

"Both projects were judged by the distance travelled and the kids just loved this year's assignment.

"We do the SET Challenge every year, but this was easier for both students and teachers because of the rocket theme.

"Everybody really, really wanted to be part of it all this year."

Legacy-Porter said every student participated in this year's event.

"I was very impressed by the efforts this year, especially since some of the students, who would normally be scared to take part in a science experiment, absolutely loved this one.

"We made sure the students all wore safety goggles and created a real science setting for them to enjoy."

Legacy-Porter said the SET Challenge is quite effective in showing students it can be a lot of fun to learn about science.

She said prizes provided by this year's sponsor, NorthwesTel, made the event even more fun.

"There were two or three T-shirts for every class's winning students, and they really enjoyed getting them for participating in the event.

"The winning teams from each class then competed in the gym, and that was really exciting and a lot of fun for the kids, as well.

"The SET Challenge has always been fun and the students have always enjoyed it, but, this year was one of the best ever.

"Everyone involved truly enjoyed participating."