Each software program has a theme and was designed to teach students about areas related to the theme. The module themes include personal finance, baking and measurement, rocketry and space, flight technology, fitness and health, robots, audio broadcasting and video production. Students in the course work at the modules in pairs of two. The groups are assigned at random by computer software. Carney said it is important that students not pick their own partners.
Students work at each module for seven days.
One semester covers seven modular lessons. Students who take the course all three years of middle school will work at all 21 of the modules. Carney said a computer keeps track of which modules each student has taken so that no one will ever repeat one. In addition to the computers and software, the class uses other equipment to help instruct the students, like a wind turbine which Sheumaker said works like a small wind tunnel, a robot arm named Sam, a solar oven and audio broadcasting equipment. Equipment in shop and home economics classes, like a drill press and oven, is also incorporated into the new program.