Each school enters its data in a computer spreadsheet, and students are free to use the data to pursue research projects of their own choosing as well as collaborating with other schools. Copies of the complete data base are sent back to all the schools for analysis. Every few months, a one-day conference is held. Each school and its students present papers and give presentations on the current status of their research projects. The conference provides a valuable opportunity to inter-calibrate all the network instruments.
Students derive updated calibration factors for their school instruments.
Schools compare note and share ideas. Guest scientists specializing in a wide range of project topics give informative talks and present interpretations of the data. Despite all the official vog concern and its possible health effects, there are no existing monitoring networks in place to provide data on the extent and intensity of vog on the Big Island. Students become part of an authentic environmental research project which will also benefit the people of Hawaii.