Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Published Wednesday, December 5, 2007

RANKIN INLET - It was a time for test tubes, strange hovering crafts, crazy volcanic eruptions and shocking electrical fruits as Maani Ulujuk high school hosted its annual Science Fair this past week.

Grade 10 student Simeonie Makpah demonstrates the top prizewinning project, Hover Craft, as his partner, Robert Simik, looks on at the Maani Ulujuk Science Fair in Rankin Inlet this past week. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo

The event's top winners were Grade 10 students Simeonie Makpah and Robert Simik.

The duo attracted onlookers all afternoon and evening with their vacuum-powered Hover Craft project.

The team of Grade 10 students Sinead Anderson and Hilary Angidlik took second place for their project, It May Be Your Last, which examined the effects of microwave ovens.

In third place were Grade 8 students Haley White and Tera Yarema with their project on yogurt.

Grade 8 students Brandyn Airut and Brandon Oolooyuk captured the Northern Theme award for their project on polar bear extinction.

The fair was organized by teachers Katherine O'Connell, Joy Legere and Matthew Lottes.

O'Connell said this was her first Science Fair at Maani Ulujuk High and many of the students came up with great ideas for their projects.

She said the students put a lot of work into their displays and had a great time preparing for the event.

"It was really great to see some of the projects the students came up with," said O'Connell.

"I was impressed with their work and imagination."

The top two prize winners advance to the Kivalliq Regional Science Fair, which will be held at John Arnalukjuak high school in Arviat from March 14-17.

O'Connell said the vast majority of students at the school attended the afternoon showing of the Science Fair projects, while a modest crowd was on hand for the evening showing and judging that was open to the general public.

"It was great to see a number of the parents come in to see the projects their kids came up with.

"It's really important for the parents to come and see what their kids were working on, and the kids look forward to having them there."

The students were given about 10 regularly-scheduled classes to work on their projects since this past October.

The rest of the work they put in on weekends and during the evenings.

O'Connell said she can't speak for every teacher, but her students receive credit for their work on the projects.

"I grade the projects because they put so much time and effort into them that it's only fair they become part of their class mark.

"To me, it's really important for that work to be recognized."