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Students return from learning journey Two-week trip featured variety of workshops and activities
Myles Dolphin
Northern News Services
Published Monday, August 12, 2013
AUSUITTUQ/GRISE FIORD
Two Grise Fiord teenagers recently returned from a once-in-a-lifetime trip that took them to Greenland, Pangnirtung and Iqaluit, among other places.
Part of the Students on Ice Arctic Youth Expedition 2013, Olaf Christensen and Jennifer Ningiuk travelled with 83 other high school students from around the world for two weeks. The group was joined by scientists, historians, artists and polar bear experts.
The trip allows students to "explore how human and natural systems are inextricably connected and consider how each of us personally relates to the natural world," according to the SOI website.
Ningiuk, a Grade 10 student at Umimmak School, said she really enjoyed the experience of meeting interesting people and getting to see new places.
"Exploring Greenland was my favourite part," she said.
"I met a lot of interesting people and learned about global warming, the environment and other interesting things through workshops that were held. Being on the ship was exciting because I had never been on one before."
Activities also included day-excursions and visits to communities and archeological sites. Among the wildlife spotted by the group were polar bears, walruses, seals and a variety of seabirds.
Christensen, whose hobbies include hunting, fishing and camping, is also a Grade 10 student at Umimmak School.
Umimmak School teacher Tanya Cross, who has had both students in her homeroom class for the past two years, said they're both a pleasure to teach.
"I've enjoyed getting to know them as individuals both inside and outside of school, they're both very outgoing, outspoken and mature," she said.
"They love learning, travelling, and meeting new people, so I was so excited to nominate and recommend these two students for the program.
They both really enjoy science, being outside, and learning about the environment, so I knew that the Students on Ice program would be something that they would really embrace and I knew that the program would provide them with an opportunity that they both deserve and have earned."
Cross said she hopes to nominate more students from Grise Fiord for next year's excursion, which she believes is a wonderful opportunity for students to experience.
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