What the project does is assist teachers and students in acquiring a new and deeper understanding of physics principles. This is accomplished by a careful choice of activities and powerful computer simulations that lead students directly to discover the 'Big Ideas' in physics. Lee explains that each unit in the CPU curriculum unit includes three stages. Computer-based materials play a significant part in the CPU learning environment. For example, one computer simulation allows students to construct simple circuits using batteries, bulbs, capacitors, and more.
Optical simulators allow students to set up a light source, a lens, and a screen.
Core topics in the program include underpinnings of science, light and color, static electricity and magnetism, current electricity, motion and forces, the nature of matter, and waves and sound. Lee refers to the regional project as T-CUP, Tennessee Connection for Understanding Physics. T-CUP is supported by the NSF and the Tennessee Higher Education Commission. The three book awards were presented by the Gleason Foundation, New York University, and Rolling Stone Magazine . The first-place winner was Peter Guralnick's definitive bio of Elvis Presley, Careless Love .