Inuvik (Mar 31/06) - While some of her peers studied the effects of chemicals on household items, high school student Margaret Noksana did some research about her culture.

Richard Phillips was one of the participating high school students at the regional science fair this past weekend at Samuel Hearne secondary school. Phillips examined the potential of using a hydrogen fuel cell to power a small car. - Dez Loreen/NNSL photo

She was one of many students who participated in the annual regional science fair this past weekend at Samuel Hearne secondary school.

"I think it's important for people to see how our language has been decreasing," said Noksana.

Her project focused on the Inuvialuit language and how it's usage has been declining throughout the community.

Noksana conducted a survey to find out how many people understood and spoke the language in a variety of different age groups.

"Surveys were done on 138 people in five categories," explained Noksana.

She observed that the biggest gap in the language happens in the 20-49 age range.

Bridging the gap between people who speak the language and those who can't starts at home, said Noksana.

"If people speak Inuvialuktun at home, they might speak it at school, too."

Noksana said she had help from elders like Billy Day, who talked with her about the way things were when the majority could speak the language.

Creating awareness of the situation was the driving force behind her project, said Noksana.

"I want to bring these issues to the national science fair so more people can see," said Noksana "But even if one person is touched by it, that's a good thing."

While Noksana was studying the effects of language, Richard Phillips was at the other side of the room showcasing his project, a car fuelled by a hydrogen fuel cell and solar power.

Car kit

Phillips came across the car kit on the Internet in December and knew it was what he wanted to study.

The small transparent vehicle has a water reservoir, which is connected to the fuel cell. It conducts the energy from one connector to the next, sending the car in motion.

"The fuel cell uses the water to store the energy and the water needs to be distilled for purity," said Phillips.

As a 15-year-old student in grade nine, Phillips said he became interested in the project because of the solar panel.

To give a visual example of his project in motion, Phillips recorded the process on his laptop with a digital video camera.

"My mom did the shooting. They are just short clips about the machine," said Phillips.

Now Phillips wants to set his sights on more projects like this, but is not sure where he will start. "I'm always searching the Internet f