Goal 1. Foster inquiry-based learning in each participating WEST school by establishing partnerships between public school teachers, University of Utah faculty, graduate student fellows and undergraduate students in the departments of Geology and Geophysics, Meteorology, and Biology, and the Utah Museum of Natural History.  The partnerships will promote strong, mutually beneficial collaborations between the University of Utah and the public school system in Utah, sustainable beyond an NSF funding period.

Goal 2.  Effectively communicate to public school students the place of humans in nature, using water and the environment as vehicles for integrative learning.  Accomplish this goal in a manner that: (1) fulfills core curriculum requirements and educational standards; (2) communicates the interdisciplinary nature of science; (3) delves into relevant societal issues; and (4) instills a sense of wonder and passion about nature.

Goal 3.  Generate productive mentoring relationships between science graduate students and public school students, thereby encouraging the latter to pursue related studies and, ultimately, careers in science.

Goal 4.  Provide professional development tools to public school teachers - in the form of workshops, knowledge, materials, and partnerships with graduate students - that enable more effective science teaching.

Goal 5.  Enhance graduate student training by (a) conducting interdisciplinary, collaborative research and converting the research results into school and public information in real time, (b) initiating a seminar in communication and teaching skills, and (c) providing active involvement in public school education and science mentoring.