Yumimi Pang
Northern News Services
Published Monday, July 14, 2008

UQSUQTUUQ/GJOA HAVEN - Science got a little less scary in Gjoa Haven after the visit from the Dream Team.

The Dream Team includes team instructors Heather Leard and Tyler Ross as well as Nunavummiut Lori Tagoona and Susie Kununak. The Dream Team visiting Gjoa Haven is one of many that are a part of Actua, a not-for-profit national charitable organization that runs different science programs including a national aboriginal outreach program.

Kununak is from Gjoa Haven and recently finished the Nunavut Sivuniksavut Training Program in Ottawa.

"I think it would keep kids away from trouble. It's something to do during this time of the year for the kids that are staying in town," said Kununak.

Kununak has helped teach kids about science with projects including GPS tracking, soil core dissections and migration games.

Gjoa Haven was the starting point for the science camps in Nunavut and targeted children aged seven to 13, from June 23 to 27.

Actua travels to many different communities throughout Canada, including many isolated Inuit, First Nations and Metis communities, many of which may not have the resources to do experiments and have full science facilities.

"It's an amazing initiative," said team instructor Heather Leard, who is in her second year with the program.

In the past children have come and designed their own space suits. This year, to mark the international polar year, kids got the chance to design their own polar animal and will incorporate ideas such as adapting to the environment, camouflage and climate change.

"What ends up happening is that they get really proud of their knowledge and they love to share it," said Leard. "They take ownership of it and it's so wonderful to see that."

Leard added that she hopes their interest in science translates into regular school as well.

"Science is not going to be this hard, scary thing anymore," said Leard. "We're trying to make it even more accessible."

Since Actua's national aboriginal outreach program was launched in 2000, it has reached more than 40,000 aboriginal youths in 175 isolated aboriginal communities throughout the country.

The Dream Team in Gjoa Haven had to adapt their programming this year after their materials didn't arrive from the south.

"We've been having to really think on our toes and be resourceful," said Lori Tagoona of Rankin Inlet, who will be attending the second year of the Nunavut Sivuniksavut Training Program in Ottawa this fall.

"The gym here is closed during the summer and the kids have nothing to do and this is something exciting," said Tagoona. "There's nothing wrong with science, or getting to know science and knowing that science isn't scary."

Actua also has scheduled stops in Kugluktuk, Iglulik, Rankin Inlet, Kimmirut and Iqaluit.

Science is already having an effect on the children in Gjoa Haven.

"They're excited, they don't like to leave," said Kununak.