RANKIN INLET - Thirteen Rankin Inlet girls made their own bouncy balls last week. They also made a rocket out of coke and Mentos mints and dissected owl poop.

The girls were participating in a science camp on the land hosted by the Pulaarvik Kablu Friendship Centre and Actua, a charitable organization that promotes science and technology programs for youth across Canada.

They spent the week of July 13 learning how to construct robots and learning about polymers, a skill they later used to make their own bouncy balls.

"Our goal is to build confidence and interest among youth in the areas of science and technology whether or not they actually go on to study science, " said Leslie Cuthbertson, Actua's director of partnerships and communications. "By engaging youth in experiences that demonstrate how science is exciting, fun, and related to everyday life, they start to see the potential role that science can play in their lives."

Activities also included learning how to build water filtration systems and making a model digestive tract. The girls also participated in more conventional camping activities like roasting marshmallows and hotdogs on a campfire.

Participant Alayna Ningeongan said her favourite part of the camp was learning about human biology.

"We learned about our respiratory system and how we digest," she said.

Campers usually returned home in the evenings after a day at camp, but they spent the night of July 15 in cabins on the campsite.

The girls also enjoyed simply being out on the land, according to instructor Tyler Ross.

"Being out on the land is incredible," he said. "You can tell the girls love it out here."

Ross travelled throughout Nunavut last year delivering Actua camps throughout the territory, but said it was his first time in Rankin Inlet.

It was a first trip to Nunavut for instructor Mia Patriarca. She said Actua camps usually involve spending some time indoors, but Rankin Inlet's camp took place entirely on the land.

"I love it up here. It's gorgeous," she said. "It's great being out on the land. Usually we're in a hall, but we've been incorporating the land into the curriculum."