UQSUQTUUQ/GJOA HAVEN
Jordan Takkiruq, silver-medal winner at the Canada-Wide Science Fair held May 15 in Windsor, Ont., has the ability to assess a situation, gather the information and use it to best effect. He learns from every experience, improving his performance as he goes.

Jordan Takkiruq, 13, of Gjoa Haven, won a silver medal in the Grades 7-8 category at the Canada-Wide Science Fair in Windsor Ont., held May 10 to 17. He is Nunavut's second silver medallist at the national event. - photo courtesy of Kendel Thomas

The 13-year-old's journey to victory started five years ago when, as an elementary school student, he explored how seals are insulated by their fat. When students enter junior high school, they can opt in or out of the school's science fair. Takkiruq opted in and resurrected his original seal project, exploring the subject more deeply.

That project took him to the regional fair and his first national experience in Lethbridge, Alta., in 2013.

"Jordan is very quick to figure things out," says his teacher Kendel Thomas. "In Lethbridge, he saw what he had to do (to win), and he did it (this year)."

Takkiruq's winning project, which won him one of 20 silver medals for his age group, was entitled Which Liquid Causes Tooth Decay the Fastest?

"I used caribou teeth," he said.

"It's the easiest thing to find in our community because we are a hunting community. I used three different types of teeth."

The young scientist soaked the teeth in Coca-Cola, diet Coca-Cola, pure apple juice, pure orange juice, Carnation milk, two per cent milk and vinegar. He soaked the teeth for a week, then rinsed, brushed and weighed them. He changed the liquid every week so it remained fresh. For 12 weeks, Takkiruq recorded his data, which he then turned into a graph.

Thomas knew Takkiruq had a chance at a medal when, at dinner at a chaperone's parents' in Windsor, Takkiruq got into conversation with a dentist, exhibiting yet again his ability to assess information and use it.

"As soon as he started talking, I knew he had a shot at bronze. He learned new things and added them to his presentation. He's very competitive and he wants to succeed," said Thomas.

Takkiruq credits his two grandfathers for his interest in science and success. His maternal grandfather, Warren Hillier, designed elevators and his paternal grandfather, Nelson Takkiruq, was a well-known carver.

"When I visited Toronto, I could see my grandfather's name," he said of visiting galleries in the city.

Next year, the national event will be held in New Brunswick, and Takkiruq plans on being there with his brother, who couldn't participate this year. He looks forward to his maternal grandparents visiting the fair and spending time with him and his brother.

"I only see them two months of the years," he said of his grandparents, who live in Nova Scotia

"It's not enough."

He also intends to be the first gold medallist from Nunavut.

Next year's topic? Exploring how garbage and sewage can be turned into energy. He'll be using this year's $300 cash winnings for the project.

"We could use garbage and sewage to power our community and keep our land clean," he said.

"And make Nunavut a healthier territory."

Besides the thrill of winning, Takkiruq, who is also a hockey player, said travelling and making new friends are his favourite parts of the competition.

"Then, we can meet up later in life and say 'Hey, do you remember Windsor, Ontario?'"

"This could be a game-changer," said Thomas. "He'll never forget this. He's got the bug and he'll keep climbing that mountain."

Indeed, Takkiruq is applying to attend a national science camp on Prince Edward Island in August. He hopes the silver medal will improve his chances of getting in. And he has already won a $2,000 scholarship to Western University in London, Ont.

Suzanne Qavavau and Holly Tulurialik of Taloyoak, also regional science fair winners, travelled with Takkiruq to the nationals. The three were among 463 finalists from all over Canada, including three regional winners from the Kivalliq.

Which liquid causes tooth decay the fastest? Takkiruq was surprised to discover that although orange juice is the best for your body, it's the worst in terms of actual decay. And although vinegar doesn't cause decay, it leaches calcium from teeth and makes them bendy,

Not surprisingly, Takkiruq wants to be a dentist when he grows up.

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