Top of the class
Kivalliq's male, female science students of the year announced
Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Wednesday, June 10, 2015
ARVIAT/CHESTERFIELD INLET
The Kivalliq Science Educators' Community (KSEC) announced its selections for the regional aboriginal male and female science students of the year this week.
Kivalliq female aboriginal science student of the year Beth Aglukark conducts an experiment in Arviat this past week. - photo courtesy of Kelsey Nickel |
Mason Tautu of Victor Sammurtok School in Chesterfield Inlet took the male student award, while Beth Aglukark of Arviat took the female award.
KSEC president Katharine O'Connell said the awards are presented to Grade 12 students who are graduating this year.
She said the awards are based on involvement with science-related activities such as the annual Kivalliq Regional Science Fair, Kivalliq Regional Science Camp and other non-KSEC-related science events.
"Their marks in science are also taken into account, as well as their interest in a science-related career," said O'Connell.
"This specific award is only for Inuit beneficiaries.
"All of our other programming involves everybody, but we feel it's important to have an award specifically for Inuit students who are successfully involved with science."
The two students receive a brand-new laptop/tablet, a KSEC backpack, T-shirt and certificate of accomplishment.
Tautu attended a national science fair, has competed in a number of regional fairs, attended a science camp, and would like to enter a welding apprenticeship program upon his graduation.
He also participated in the Canadian Phase of Northern Youth Abroad.
Glen Brocklebank has taught Tautu for the past three years.
He said he's been very impressed with his efforts and abilities during that time.
"Mason is a very bright young man with an even brighter future ahead of him," said Brocklebank.
"He's highly motivated when given a task that interests him.
"He does very well in grasping mathematical and scientific concepts quickly."
Aglukark has been to the regional science fair twice, and went to Ottawa to attend Encounters In Canada, working with the theme of medicine and health.
She's heading to Guatemala this summer with the International Phase of Northern Youth Abroad.
Aglukark said she's always enjoyed having a good teacher in her science classes.
She said a good teacher really makes science a lot of fun while learning.
"I just find science fascinating," said Aglukark.
"I like learning the different ways it works, how it changes and how it affects our world.
"I'm taking one year off after graduation to save some money, and then I'm going to begin studying to become a high school science teacher."
Aglukark said she's enjoyed science from the first time she took the subject and it kept coming more to the front of her interests as she made her way through school.
She said science was always the highest mark on her report card.
"Pretty much everything we do in our lives involves science.
"I love to watch science shows on TV during my spare time, and really enjoy MythBusters, Daily Planet and the Discovery Channel, among others.
"It's all so interesting and I love how you just keep learning more with science.
"The plan is, once I finish all my studies, to come back home and teach science in Arviat," she said.
