CHESTERFIELD INLET - The tiny school that knows how to roar in science will be sending another student to the Canadawide Science Fair in Peterborough, Ont., this coming month.

Grade 12 student Savannah Issaluk of Victor Sammurtok School in Chesterfield Inlet took top spot at the Kivalliq Regional Science Fair this past month in Arviat for her project on the differences between a small qamutiik and a large one on the land. - photo courtesy of Glen Brocklebank

Grade 12 student Savannah Issaluk of Victor Sammurtok School in Chesterfield Inlet captured top honours at the Kivalliq Regional Science Fair in Arviat this past month.

Her win continued the school's success at the event.

A Chester student has captured top spot at each of the past three Kivalliq Regional Science Fairs, and 2010 marks the eighth year in a row Chester will send a student to the Canadawide Science Fair.

The win was a nice addition to Issaluk's academic resume, as she continues to work on earning the necessary credits to graduate this year.

Issaluk said she was very nervous at the regional awards ceremony in Arviat, and very excited to hear her name called for the top award, knowing she would make it to the Canadawide Science Fair.

She said she's looking forward to going to Ontario for the first time and seeing both the CN Tower and the Air Canada Centre.

"I'm also looking forward to the tours we'll be going on, especially when we go to the Peterborough Canoe and Kayak Museum to see old Inuit kayaks," said Issaluk.

"I'm nervous about being interviewed by 10 different judges at the fair, but I'm really excited to have the chance to make new friends and meet people from all over the country.

"On a scale of one to 10, I'd say I have an excitement level of 10 over going to the national fair."

Teacher Glen Brocklebank said Issaluk has always shown a strong aptitude for science.

He said she's taken part in the Chester science fair every year, and has qualified to go to the regional event in each of the past three years.

"Unfortunately, Savannah was unable to attend the regional fair the past two years because it always seemed to conflict with her training for or attending the Arctic Winter Games, which she has been to, to compete in the Inuit games category," said Brocklebank.

"Savannah really enjoyed herself at the regional fair, especially meeting all the other winners and seeing what types of science projects are coming out of other schools.

"Her favourite part of the event was the team challenges, working with other students to solve Northern myths and floor hockey."