AKLAVIK - Alannis McKee says representing the NWT's Beaufort Delta region in the 50th annual Canada-Wide Science Fair was the experience of a lifetime.

Alannis McKee represented the Beaufort Delta region in the 50th annual Canada-Wide Science Fair in Toronto last month. - photo courtesy of Alannis McKee

The Grade 9 student from Moose Kerr School in Aklavik travelled to Toronto from May 13 to 22 to compete at the event after placing second in the Beaufort Delta regional science fair, which was held in Inuvik on April 9. McKee wowed the judges with her study on how brand names in advertising affected people in her community.

"I tested the physical and psychological effects that advertisements had on 45 subjects," she said.

"There is a lot of advertising around our town, but I still see many people wearing branded clothing and using goods that are popular in the south. I thought that advertisements and the media played a role in the decision making of people in Aklavik, so I wanted to test the theory."

According to McKee, the results of her experiment showed the profound effects advertising had on Aklavik residents and those results caught the attention of the judges.

"The media really affects the choices we make as consumers," she said.

McKee said the best parts of the national fair included meeting new people, getting to know other students with an interest in science, and travelling and gaining new knowledge (about science) from her peers.

"I also got to see the CN tower and tour the city, which was great," she said.

The Canada-Wide Science Fair is viewed as the "national championship" of science fairs. The 2011 fair featured science experiments from approximately 500 Canadian students, who competed for $1 million in cash prizes, scholarships and travel awards.

"There is nothing like it," McKee said.

Even though she did not win a prize in Toronto, McKee said representing the North and participating in the event was "a big honour," adding, science continues to be one of her main passions.

"More kids in the North need to get involved and participate in science fairs. Its fun," she said.

McKee keeps busy with her school work, and aside from cultivating a passion for scientific pursuits, she also is an active member of Youth Parliament in Aklavik.

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