KIVALLIQ
Arviat teacher Kelsey Nickel may have a little more free time on her hands when she officially steps down as president of the Kivalliq Science Educators' Community (KSEC) in July.

Victor Sammurtok School teacher Rob Humby of Chesterfield Inlet will officially take over as president of the Kivalliq Science Educators' Community in July. - Photo courtesy of Kelsey Nickel

Nickel has been on the KSEC executive for the past six years, including the past three as president.

KSEC vice-president Glen Brocklebank of Chesterfield Inlet said the organization was extremely lucky to have Nickel help to hold KSEC together though some difficult board times.

He said a number of people went on leave, or accepted different roles with other organizations or groups, all within a relatively short period of time.

"It is my experience that those who are dedicated to helping make KSEC successful, are also the ones who are helping local sports teams, school groups and programs, and other things in their communities," said Brocklebank.

"Kelsey was the president of KSEC and the newly formed Nunavut Science Educators' Community (NSEC) at the same time.

"Both fellow executive Katharine O'Connell of Rankin Inlet and I thought that was crazy for her to try and do both at the same time.

"Kelsey not only did both, she helped push both programs forward at the same time and has been our MVP for a number of years."

Nickel said one of her biggest pleasures with KSEC was enjoying the bonds she developed with other science teachers in the region.

She said the organization definitely helps bring science teachers in the region closer together.

"I don't think there's another group like this, where teachers from across the Kivalliq get to come together and work towards a common goal to strengthen science in our region," said Nickel.

"You spend a lot of time discussing what strategies worked for you and which ones worked for other people, and then develop fun activities like the Science Engineering and Technology Challenge and Math Month that everyone gets to participate in.

"So, it's good to join a group like this where you get to see like-minded teachers all working towards something together."

Nickel said without programming like the annual science camp, many kids in Nunavut wouldn't get the opportunity to go out on the land and learn in a structured way.

She said she always assumed the kids would have more experience out on the land than her, but, over the years, she's come to realize that's not true in a lot of cases.

"Taking kids to the Meadowbank gold mine is always huge at our annual science camp, because they can see where they might potentially get a job and, suddenly, maybe it doesn't seem so scary to apply for something like that.

"I often see an increase in the self-confidence of students who attend the science camp when they return to the classroom, and I can equate that to what they learn in sports or what we do in Arviat with our drama program.

"Science may not be for every student, but it's definitely for some students and they deserve to have programs like that, just like they deserve to have athletic programs they wish to participate in or drama programs - they're all another outlet for them to gain confidence, make new friends and learn through doing."

Humby is in his second year of teaching, with Chester being the first stop in his career.

A 2015 graduate from Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, Ont., the last thing he expected to encounter in Chesterfield Inlet was an organization like KSEC.

Humby said he got pulled into KSEC because Brocklebank and Ana Leishman were out on leave for a year when he first arrived in Chester, and he was asked to attend the annual science camp in their stead.

He said he was a little reluctant at first, because he didn't know anyone here and, being a raw rookie in the teaching profession, he couldn't quite grasp why he was asked to go.

"I decided to give it a shot, and I was very lucky at the time because Jim Kreuger (science advocate and program consultant with Kivalliq School Operations in Baker Lake) was in town and he talked to me about it all," said Humby.

"After talking with Jim, I felt a lot more comfortable in going and it turned out to be an incredible experience for me.

"I also attended the regional science fair in Naujaat and had an excellent time there.

"Then I was at the annual general meeting for KSEC and there were a lot of changes going on at the time and, suddenly, I'm about to become the new president."

Humby said even though he doesn't really have much of a background in science, he's not apprehensive about accepting the position because he has many resources at his disposal.

He said those resources, plus the experience he's already gained within KSEC, are enough to get him started, at least, in the position.

"So, even though I don't have the background in science that, maybe, previous presidents have had, I'm still really optimistic and looking forward to taking on the positions and responsibilities it holds.

"KSEC provides opportunity for everyone, especially students, who can gain two credits by attending the science camp, and the science fair is an entire experience that nurtures learning and the opportunity for students to meet students from other communities, so it really helps build a science community, which, basically, is what KSEC is about.

"Also, after just two years, I really see the value in experiential learning (the process of learning through experience) and what KSEC has been able to do with it in our regional science programming.

"I would also add the positivity that permeates the science programming, so the three terms I would use to sum up KSEC are opportunity, experiential learning and positivity."

Humby said the only thing he hopes to do with KSEC, as so many others before him have done, is to continue giving opportunities to students, having experiential learning going on within KSEC events, and maintaining the air of positivity that surrounds it all.

He said he will consider his efforts a success if he can continue those traits and pass them on to others, as well.

"I will be going with the Kivalliq team to the Canada-wide Science Fair in Regina this coming May, so I really hope that provides me with a chance to talk to Kelsey (Nickel) more about the position and its responsibilities, and really get to know what it's all about.

"I'm extremely lucky to have met such fine, genuine, friendly, intelligent and outgoing people through KSEC, both students and teachers.

"I only hope to learn more from being within the group, and to spread the knowledge of science further in the North as I continue along."

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