Repulse Bay (Dec 08/04) - Students at Tusarvik school in Repulse Bay learned a bit of the science behind construction and engineering during the recent Science Olympics.

The event is organized by the Kivalliq Science Educators Community. The teachers also organize the annual science fair and science camp.

Tusarvik science teacher Brent Urie says the event has a different theme each year.

This year's theme was Sanajiit (construction), which prompted students to learn about the different forces at work during a construction project. "The students were given tools, but they had to budget their use," says Urie.

"They may have been given 20 straws, for example, and had to figure out where the strength is in the straws and how can they use them to balance a hockey puck."

The activities the students took part in were problem-based to promote the development of knowledge, skills and positive attitudes in the areas of science, engineering and technology.

Each challenge is formulated to foster the growth of problem solving, science process and communication skills, as well as teamwork and co-operation.

The projects encourage students to use their imagination, as well as their hands, in developing solutions.

Kindergarten to Grade 12 students co-operate within teams to design and construct towers and bridges.

Urie says there were five different construction challenges for different grade levels at the school.

"The average task only lasts about 30 to 45 minutes, so it's a very intense building period."

The teachers' science group purchased a K'nex construction set for each Kivalliq school that participated in the Science Olympics.

During the warmup for the various challenges, Urie and a group of high school students used the kit to construct a roller-coaster and a number of bridges.

"The idea was to show the students how things go together, as well as the whole idea of how structures are supported.

"The students were really into it and used the set to produce a pretty impressive roller-coaster."