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INUVIK
A group of Inuvik youth are being introduced to the world of science and engineering this week.

Tyler Gordon-Bahr shows off the chia pet he made at the DiscoverE camp. - Danielle Sachs/NNSL photo

A camp run by Actua and DiscoverE from the University of Alberta runs all week at the Ingamo Hall Friendship Centre.

After only two days in, some of the more than 30 youth participating can't say enough fantastic things about discovering these new worlds.

The aim is to bring hands-on science experiences to kids in remote Northern communities.

"We can teach them at an early age by using fun activities," said Amanda Marchak, one of the two counsellors in Inuvik.

Both Marchak and Kristen Carlson are students at the University of Alberta in Edmonton. This is Marchak's third time here and Carlson's first.

"I specifically requested Inuvik," said Marchak.

"In the spring I was here talking to the schools and registering children for camp."

Seven-year-old Tyler Gordon-Bahr said his favourite part of camp so far was making the balloon truck.

"It's a truck with wheels, sticks and balloons," said Gordon-Bahr.

"You blow up the balloon, stick it to the truck and let go. That's what makes the truck move."

The camp is committed to teaching kids basic science concepts while giving them something to take home and show off.

"The balloon car taught them about the third law of motion," said Marchak.

The third law of motion states that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.

Kiersten Rogers and Kaylin Harder, both nine years old, have been friends since birth, and are attending camp together.

"We're only a month apart," said Rogers.

They spent Tuesday making paw prints in concrete, and chia pets with the help of the Aurora Research Institute.

Although Rogers and Harder knew what a bear print looked like, they each said it was a little hard to cast them properly.

"You mix up the concrete in a bowl until it's really blended, then you press the mold in until it's hard," said Harder.

"The chia pets taught them about what plants need to survive," said Marchak.

"It's also something to take home, keep and watch grow. It's nice to see them so creative."

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