ISLS is a philosophical apprpoach to learning. The program engages participants in a transformative science experience that influences subsequent curriculum development and implementation while encouraging civic engagement. Program goals include to:
- engage students and teachers as scholars in challenging experiences designed around the principles of science;
- broaden attitudes about education shifting traditional roles of teacher and student making all scholar-peers;
- focus on high school/university students in developing authentic science experiences where results transform local environments;
- ignite and sustain interest in pursuing careers in teaching and science;
- integrate principles from the science of learning to increase the quality, quantity, and diversity of tools and methods for science educators;
- continue development and implementation of formative and heuristic assessments that include group work and evidence of inquiry-based science;
- increase and sustain collaboration among different groups increasing efficacy and efficiency of reform;
- develop an action research, case study approach for assessment of learning as experienced by community members, and
- explore development of group assessment that models the group assessment inherent in science research.