Young scientists win big

From seeing the northern lights to watching Inuit throat singers, students from Kahnawake’s schools had a trip to remember last week in Nunavik, where winning awards at the Quebec Indigenous Science Fair was just one highlight of many.

“I thought that this experience was really cool, and it made me want to do science even more,” said Kahnawiiostha Whyte-Turner, a grade six student at Karonhianónhnha Tsi Ionterihwaienstáhkhwa, who took home a second place prize at the fair for her project about the water of the St. Lawrence River.

Whyte-Turner was one of five students from Kahnawake who flew out to the communities of Whapmagoostui and Kuujjuaraapik, twin Cree and Inuit communities in Nunavik.

From Kateri School, grade five student Willow Jackson presented a project on how the body reacts to music, and grade six student Iakothwatsiriio Stacey researched wild blueberries. From Kahnawake Survival School (KSS), grade eight student Kaylani Delormier shared work on terracotta pot heaters, and grade 10 student Kanien’kwentha McComber presented on bioluminescence.

The cohort came back laden with prizes, with McComber being recognized with a first-place prize for her project, an honour that comes with a trophy and $500 of prize money.

Jackson and Delormier took home third-place prizes, which comes with $250 of prize money, and Whyte-Turner’s second-place win also came with $350. Both second and third-place winners also took home an engraved plaque to recognize their accomplishments.

“I might save half of the money and keep the rest of it in my piggy bank so that I can spend it when I think I want to buy something,” Whyte-Turner said.

Sha’teiohseriio Patton, associate principal at KSS was a judge for the local version of the science fair; the winners of which made the cut for the trip to Nunavik. She said she was delighted to hear that the young scientists had success up north.

“I was just so happy for them, because I know how much they probably were proud of themselves, and I think it just goes to show that their hard work was really worth it,” Patton said.

“If they keep shooting for the stars, they’ll get to even bigger places.”
The group had a particularly exciting flight back home, returning on a tiny plane, which flew through the northern lights and a meteor shower.

“My highlight was probably seeing the northern lights and how I got to see them with all of my friends that came with me,” Whyte-Turner said.

Whyte-Turner’s mother, Megan Kanerahtenha:wi Whyte, accompanied the group on the trip. She said it was special to see her daughter win a prize for a subject she’s so passionate about.

“I felt really proud and excited, and my eyes did water,” Whyte said. “I feel really grateful that she has the opportunity to be who she is, and be celebrated for who she is, there’s a lot of warm feelings.”

Marc Lalande, president-treasurer of the Quebec Indigenous Science Fair, said it was a perfect few days, with even the weather cooperating for the around 80 young scientists.

“The students had some really, really great projects,” said Lalande. “Every young person deserves to have the chance to make a science project.”

This year marked the 25th edition of the Quebec Indigenous Science Fair, and Lalande said that he’s continued to be blown away by the projects presented.

“We were quite impressed by the quality of projects and also the students from Kahnawake, I was quite impressed this year,” Lalande said. “They had really good projects, but also the students were really good and really clever. I was really glad to see that.”

Four students were chosen from the fair to attend the Canada-wide science fair which will take place in New Brunswick at the end of May - though no students were selected from Kahnawake, the young researchers continue to be encouraged by the opportunities they’ve found in the world of science so far.

“I really think I might be a scientist when I grow up,” Whyte-Turner said.

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