Baker Lake (Sep 29/04) - A classroom is a fine place for learning, but 22 students from the Kivalliq region will tell you that picking through rocks and living on the tundra is better.

Their interest in science helped them earn a spot at a Science-Culture camp held just outside Baker Lake recently.

"We were looking for students who have an interest in and aptitude for science," said Bill Cooper, vice-principal at Jonah Amitnaaq school in Baker.

That interest was tested with this year's rocks and minerals theme as the students were taught traditional uses for rocks, camping skills, mapping and GPS reading.

One of the uses for rocks was the rock stove for cooking, taught to the students by elders Mary and Martin Kreelak and Jacob and Winnie Ikinilik.

The group even left their mark with a traditional Inukshuk that is visible from the community, about five kilometres away.

Having the elders along to teach the skills was great, said Cooper.

"When the elders talked, these kids listened," he said.

"Everybody participated, everybody did their work and they were attentive to the elders," he said of the Grade 10-12 students.

Learning about field geology was a large component of the week as well.

Linda Ham, a geologist with the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs, gave up the comfort of a hotel room to camp out with the group.

"I didn't hear anybody complaining," said Cooper of the less than glamorous lifestyle out on the land.

A little rain forced them inside a couple of nights, but otherwise the group toughed it out.

This was the fourth year the camp was being offered by the Kivalliq Science Educators' Community.

The themes and locations of the camp rotate each year, with last year's event focusing on oceans at the Churchill Northern Studies Centre in Manitoba.