The same scientists then conduct a discussion group with the students to help them understand the important concepts they have just discovered. Because students so often publish their work or present it before a group of interested people they are continually engaged in on-going self assessment and goal setting. As students evaluate their work, they have become much more strategic in their learning. Families tend to participate in many more learning opportunities on a regular basis. Teachers, parents, adminstrators, and students are continually connected in an electronic learning community at all times.
Students take part in meaningful units of study which combine classroom studies with field research.
These units integrate content areas such as math, science, literature, and social studies by utilizing a wide variety of technology tools and engaged learning activities. Student workstations are located in a variety of locations in every classroom, in the library, and throughout the school building, and are usable during instructional time as well as during study hall, lunch breaks, before and after school. Students have network access from any classroom or student workstation to standard research information, such as encyclopedias, reference works, the library catalog, and collections of specific information. They can also access other students' publications and information placed on the network by their teacher. Students access outside information resources through an automated telephone system, through modems, and through video conferencing.