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Science camp targets youth
Potential scientists learn skills at research station

Michele LeTourneau
Northern News Services
Monday, February 23, 2015

IKALUKTUTIAK/CAMBRIDGE BAY
As the Canadian High Arctic Research Station (CHARS) takes shape in Cambridge Bay, so does the growing of potential scientists.

NNSL photo/graphic

Mala Maksagak, left, and Vern Panioyak practice hands-on science thanks to the Canadian High Arctic Research Station, which offers Saturday camps and school workshops in the hopes that youth will become interested in science and technology as a career path. - photo courtesy of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada

CHARS staff "rolled out" a science and technology camp in May 2014, but now these hands-on programs are being extended to the classroom.

So far, four weekend afternoon camps have been held, said science and technology program manager Meaghan Bennett.

"Our goal going forward is two a month. Those are for the entire community, usually on a Saturday afternoon. We're starting to go into the classrooms directly," she said. "So far on average we've had between 10 and 20 kids. In the classroom, we usually have about 22. The students really love it."

The goal is to lift science off the page.

"In a textbook it might not be that interesting. But hands-on is interesting. We're definitely trying to encourage interest."

Part of the mandate for CHARS is youth capacity. It's hoped that some of these young people will eventually work at the world-class facility, which is intended to be a hub for Canadian and international Arctic science and technology research.

"We're looking at ways to get kids excited about science and technology. We have to start much earlier. In high school they have to make the decision to go into the science stream," Bennett said.

Plans to expand the programs are in place.

"We're also looking at ways to run a science camp in the summer, and to offer support at the college level, through Arctic College and the environmental technology program."

Perhaps most importantly, CHARS staff would like to see the program roll out into other communities across Nunavut, and the wider North. They're looking into partnering and networking, such as with Actua, which already delivers a science camp in some communities, and organizations such as the Kitikmeot Inuit Association.

CHARS has a community working group, and it's through discussion there among community members, key organizations and CHARS staff that the programing for youth is evolving.

Meanwhile, chief engineer Matthew Hough said construction is on schedule since the April 23 ground-breaking by Prime Minister Stephen Harper and it's hoped the Canadian High Arctic Research Station will be operation in 2017.

"The triplexes, the living accommodations are closed in and work is continuing on those," Hough said. "The field and maintenance building, the second largest building, is framed. We've stopped on that for the coldest month. The largest building, the main research building - work on that will begin in late April."

Hough says some aspects of the project are tried and true Northern construction.

"The main research building is more specialized and requires more time."

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