It is sponsored by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, the North Carolina State University, and The University of Central Florida. It represents the collaborative efforts of middle school teachers and students from schools around the world. Students in all schools are welcome to contribute articles to the magazine. Student editors are drawn from the Ligon GT Magnet Middle School in Raleigh, North Carolina. The magazine is intended for and created by middle school age children, aged 10 to 15 years.
Every issue is based upon a theme.
Past themes have included The Grand Opening of the 3rd Annual Virtual Haunted House, People of Character, Electronic Peace Cards, Surfing the Salad Bowl, and The 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta. In addition, each issue contains information and links to exciting projects that are empowering students around the world. The magazine also includes links to virtual exhibitions created by and for middle school students and classes. The Lowell has been published continuously since 1898. The school newspaper went online in 1996.