Science fair junkie: Nunavut woman selected as 1st Inuk ambassador for Canada-wide science fair

Mary-Lou Angidlikstudied Arctic plant medicine at the age of 13. She won a $500 agriculture award for it.

Then in Grade 10, she spearheaded a science project on diabetes in Nunavut, titled: "Diabetes: A Northern Study of a Silent Killer."

So it's fitting that this year, at the age of 23, she was selected as the first Inuk ambassador to the Canada-Wide Science Fair the largest youth science competition in the countryheld in Regina.

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"When they introduced me toeveryone in the exhibit hall it was scary at first," saidAngidlik, who started her duties this week.

"They're very interested inNunavut. It makes me feel special here."

Angidlik, originally fromRankinInlet,lives in Cambridge Bay,Nunavut.

"We were super ecstatic have her applybecause werarely, if ever, get applications from people from [the North]," said JuliaMcDevitt, director of the fair.

'I think I nailed it'

The Canada-Wide Science Fair selects only a handful of youth across Canada to help facilitate the fair. Ambassadors are expected to "motivate, inspire and keep connected" with the youth participants, building a sense of community, saidMcDevitt. Successful applicantshave their travel, accommodation and meals covered during the week of the fair.

"[Angidlik]said when she came here, she was a shy person, kind of an introvert... a little nervous about coming on the team," said McDevitt.

This week, Angidlikfacilitated a few workshop sessions for students. "She came up to me and said, 'I think I nailed that. This is really bringing me out of my shell.'"

Angidliksays her love for science fairs was sparked in Grade 7, when her science teacher worked with her to submit a project for the Canada-Wide Science Fair in 2007. She participated again in 2011.

She encourages other youth interested in science to apply to be an ambassador.

"The team is really awesome."

Angidlik is currently completing a social work program at Nunavut Arctic College, and will be using her experience as an ambassador for her practicum.

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