RANKIN INLET - Students at Simon Alaittuq School (SAS) in Rankin Inlet had things rolling along in the name of science quite nicely this past month.

The school's Grade 5 and Grade 6 students took part in the annual NorthwesTel-sponsored Science, Engineering and Technology (SET) Challenge.

The theme to this year's event was aksalualik (things with wheels).

The school's Grade 5 students built balloon buggies using cardboard, balloons, rubber bands, wheels, straws, bamboo skewers and duct tape, while the Grade 6 students built pop can cars using pop cans, elastic bands, Popsicle sticks and pencils.

Taking the checkered flag for the Grade 5 class was the team of Qaritaq Kusugak, Avalla Sabourin and Sasha Aupilarjuk, who had their balloon buggy make a distance of 16.89 meters.

On the Grade 6 side, Brittany Aggark and Jaydene Pilakapsi had the most impressive pop can car, going a distance of 5.6 meters.

SAS Grade 6 teacher Billy Gallant said this year's SET Challenge was a lot of fun for the students.

He said they were very excited about the category and got really into building their projects.

"We saw a lot of teamwork go on at this year's event," said Gallant.

"The students had an hour to build their project and then test and run it.

"Jim Kreuger of Baker Lake came to the school about a month before the event to prep everyone on what the projects should look like and the principles behind them."

Gallant said the entire school participated in the event.

He said the students were quite business-like as they went about preparing their wheeled contraptions.

"They were all pretty keen on doing their best and trying to win, and the winners and second-place teams were proud to receive their medals.

"The SET Challenge is practical, hands-on learning and the students just eat it up.

"The kids would be here in droves if we could do this every day, and, as educators, we love to see them so excited about science and learning.

"They have to solve a problem as a team and, even though leaders often do emerge during the event, the team members have to work together to be successful."

We welcome your opinions. Click here to e-mail a letter to the editor.