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For the love of science

Arviat to host 2002 Kivalliq Regional Science Fair

Darrell Greer
Northern News Services

Arviat (Mar 13/02) - You could call it two educational experiences for the price of one.

Students who travel to Arviat this coming month to attend the 2002 Kivalliq Regional Science Fair will not only compete with students from across the region for top scientific honours -- they will also take part in a top-notch cultural event planned by the host community.

Qitiqliq school staff member Juan Gill says students making the trip to Arviat will spend four days in the community.

He says those four days will be highlighted by a number of fun-filled events specifically selected for cultural significance.

"We're going to be offering a number of traditional activities to keep the kids busy and, hopefully, expand their traditional horizons somewhat," says Gill.

"We'll be having caribou-skin sewing being taught by elders, as well as students learning to use the qulliq, carving and ulu making."

Each participating school is expected to send four students and an escort to the science fair, bringing about 30 people into the hamlet for the four-day period.

Arviat held its local science fair yesterday, March 12, and Gill says many students wanted to learn more about science through their own traditions.

"It's encouraged for students to go the traditional route because they get more points at the regional fair by studying science relevant to their culture."

Qitiqliq last hosted the Kivalliq Regional Science Fair in 1996.

Students from Grades 7 to 12 at the school compete and Gill says about 90 per cent of Qitiqliq's student population of 330 were involved in either this year's science or heritage fair.

The school has sent three groups of students to the national competition in the past six years and four in the past 10.

"We have a solid track record here with our science fair participants.

"In fact, the first two people from Arviat to make it to the national fair were Doreen Manik and Darlene Gibbons.

"They travelled to Windsor, Ont., in 1990 to demonstrate throat singing.

"Doreen is now the vice-principal here at Qitiqliq, while Darlene is the vice-principal at Levi Angmak elementary."