INUVIK - Two university students got young learners thinking about engineering earlier this week.

The travelling duo from the University of Alberta were in Sir Alexander Mackenzie School on Monday to talk about simple machines - such as levers, pulleys and inclined planes - with a few classes.

Andrew Lyle, one of two visiting students from the University of Alberta, was in Sir Alexander Mackenzie School earlier this week to talk to students about simple machines. The pair of engineering students also visited Tuktoyaktuk and Aklavik. - Dez Loreen/NNSL photo

The two were then off to Aklavik and Tuktoyaktuk before returning to Edmonton later this week.

James Simmons and Andrew Lyle are instructors with Discover E, a not-for-profit, student-run program at the University of Alberta with the goal of fostering interest in science, engineering, and technology in youth.

Simmons and his partner told students the 'E' stands for three things.

"Excited, enthusiastic and engineering are our main focuses," said Lyle.

The two instructors then asked a series of questions about simple machines and what they could be.

Simmons said the presentations are roughly 90 minutes long and cover any one subject that is pre-chosen by the host class's teacher.

On Monday afternoon, the youth learned about simple machines, the senses, flight and magnetism.

"It's all really hands-on," said Simmons.

"We had some students make paper airplanes and explained how they glide."

Simmons said the experience taught the engineers a thing or two as well.

"This is my first time North," he said.

"It's great to be able to come out and teach in all these places that I wouldn't have been to by myself."

Grade 4 student Nicole Collison said her team of five needed to make a car climb a slightly inclined slope without pushing it up.

The team made use of pulleys, levers and string.

"It's fun doing this, because I knew a bit about pulleys before, but now I know much more," she said.