An alternative way of introducing magnetism at all levels of education is proposed. It is stressed that magnetism can be introduced through the interaction between current-carrying conductors giving the students, at the same time, the possibility to measure the magnetic permeability [mu][subscript o]. Focusing on currents instead of permanent magnets provides a pathway to explore the full dynamics between the basic constituents, i.e. the elementary charges. It also connects better to some modern applications of magnetism such as the definition of mass, which utilizes a current balance and the link between magnetism and special relativity.