CORAL HARBOUR - A number of informative and educational signs have been erected at the Fossil Creek drainage basin near Coral Harbour on Southampton Island, thanks to a joint project between the Nunavut Department of Environment and Sakku School.

The signs were assembled by about 12 senior students from Sakku School's industrial arts program.

Sakku teacher Marc Champagne said wildlife technician Jimmy Kennedy approached him to see if the students could help him with the project.

Champagne said the project was contracted out and the signs and their stands - made at two different places - didn't line up correctly to be assembled.

He said the students took the signs to the school shop to connect them to their metal backings.

Once assembled, they were taken to Fossil Creek and mounted on their stands.

"The signs provide historical and educational information for local residents and, especially, visitors to Coral," said Champagne.

"When they arrived, they wouldn't bolt together the way they were meant to because they were out about one-quarter inch.

"So, we had to move some holes around to make them work and it was a really big job for the kids.

"They went into this with no clue how to do it."

Champagne said the students soon realized this was not going to be an easy task.

He said drilling new holes to make the backing fit properly proved to be quite the challenge for the students.

"Even if you only have to move the hole one-eighth of an inch, it's still hard to do because the drill bit keeps wanting to go back into the original hole.

"They kept reaming out the holes and eventually got it done.

"The signs contain lots of information on the history and geology of the area, and they also explain how the water used to be higher and give lots of information on the abundance of fossils found in the area.

"They're nice, top quality, well-made signs everyone should enjoy, especially visitors to the area."

We welcome your opinions. Click here to e-mail a letter to the editor.