Darrell Greer
Northern News Services

RANKIN INLET (Apr 06/99) - Three schools from the Keewatin Region will be represented by the five students who will journey to the Canada-wide Science Fair in Edmonton, May 15 to 23, as a result of the Regional Science Fair held recently at Tusarvik school in Repulse Bay.

The Regional Fair's first place AECL award was captured by Arviat's Fiona Main for her project, Waterproof or Not. The award brings with it a $100 prize and a trophy donated by Sakku Investments Corp. which Main's school, Qitiqliq High, is allowed to display for a year. Second place went to Sherri Ikuutaq and Ursula Uta'naaq of Baker Lake's Jonah Amitnaaq secondary school for their project, Tuktu and the Inuit, while third place was captured by Suzy McKitrick and Kathy Angootealuk of Sakku school in Coral Harbour for their project, Do you see what I see?

Robert Murphy, who co-chaired the Regional Science Fair with Seijo Saito, said the event ran better than expected in Repulse Bay, with everything going smoothly for the host community.

"Everyone got in on time and were able to get with their billets and the projects were amazing," said Murphy. "The overall level of the projects was quite high and a lot of the participants were really excited to be in Repulse because it's a lot different from their own communities. We're a lot smaller than many of the other communities."

Murphy said the Science Fair is an excellent way for Keewatin students to be exposed to the use of scientific method and thinking. He said some of the projects on display were truly captivating, with good scientific thoughts and methods.

"It really proved how well the kids up here can do when they really set their minds to it."

About 31 people came into Repulse Bay for the event, and Murphy said the Science Fair is probably something Tusarvik school would look at hosting again in the future.

"We had a lot of fun doing it. We would probably change some things we did organizationally, but we certainly enjoyed the experience."

Although shut out of the top three awards, one student from the host school, Andy Kaunak, won a chemistry award. Murphy said, as a whole, Tusarvik students really enjoyed the experience and that could lead to more local participation in years to come.

He said this year's Keewatin representatives will put in a strong showing on the national science stage.

"I think we have a good chance of competing with anything at the Canada-wide science fair level and wish our students the best of luck."