Preparing for battle
Chester students look to start new streak at regional fair
Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Wednesday, December 14, 2016
CHESTERFIELD INLET
Students at Victor Sammurtok School (VSS) have their heads set on science these days in Chesterfield Inlet.
Senior student Delilah Issaluk, back, is helping young students Kaylie Anne Kaludjuk, Ivalu Leishman-Brocklebank and Paige Sammurtok-Amarok, from left, prepare their projects for the upcoming Victor Sammurtok School Science Fair in Chesterfield Inlet. - photo courtesy of Glen Brocklebank |
The students take the science fair very seriously, and they're looking to start a new streak of sending winning projects to the Canada-wide Science Fair after having their 13-year run snapped this past year.
And they're looking to do it on their home turf when VSS hosts the Kivalliq Regional Science Fair this coming March 24 to 27, with a theme of traditional knowledge.
Teacher Glen Brocklebank said the Naujaat students came on strong this past year and will come to Chester as the reigning champs.
He said there are a number of excellent science programs across the region, and winning the regional fair promises to be tougher every year.
"From what I understand, the Naujaat students don't want to let that title go, so it's going to be a fierce battle here in Chester this coming March," said Brocklebank with a laugh.
"Out students are excited and getting ready.
"We've talked a lot about projects and they're definitely up for trying to start another 13-year run at the regional fair.
"They're hungry and humbled, so it should be interesting."
Brocklebank said some Kivalliq schools doing really well at the science fairs have teachers who have been involved with science programming for a number of years now.
He said that's made a huge difference, and a new wave of teachers dedicated to science programming is starting at VSS too.
"We've been very fortunate to have had consistency with our science programming for a number of years now.
"We have one teacher new to our school this past year, Rob Humby, who liked the science programming so much that he joined the regional executive.
"Going to the regional science fair and camp really showed him what our science programs can be all about."
VSS will be holding its school science fair two weeks ahead of the regional fair on March 9.
Brocklebank said VSS offers math and English during the first semester, and science and socials during the second semester.
He said that's why the school has always held its fair so close to the regional event.
"We will be holding our science banner high as we host the regional fair on our home turf.
"We're trying hard to start a new streak, so the other schools better bring it.
"That sentiment is definitely echoed by our students, because we're a small school that's done very well with science and we plan to keep that up.
"Actually, being a small school has played to our strengths because a lot of our projects tend to focus around Inuit traditional knowledge and that's, definitely, where our strength is."
