The key to this project is the philosophy of place based education. Community and place should be central to the education of a student. The Rural School and Community Trust lists several components of a pedagogy of place. They include:

• learning occurs most effectively when an individual is able to relate what he or she already knows to new information.
• constructing new knowledge takes place when a student is actively engaged in grappling with, discovering, experiencing, or manipulating something of personal interest;
• real, authentic work that impacts, and, preferably, improves one's community best prepares students for life beyond school, and
• respect is integral to learning.

A student who respects and is connected to his community and place is a more complete person and thus feels better about himself. This individual becomes a better learner and the community interacts with its schools in a more positive and supportive manner.

This project subcribes to the belief that technology is the key to the future. It is more than a tool; it is in fact a new way of thinking and viewing the world. Students learn technology by solving real problems in real time. A student should decide what he wants to do with technology, and then figure out how to do it. Meaningful work translates into lifetime learning. When technology is used to celebrate community it becomes anchored to place and a friendly neighbor, not an alien presence. There are several rules that we follow in our use of techology and sense of design. They include:

• there is more than one way to skin a cat;
• less is more;
• a slow load is a no load;
• our work is fun;
• and work, work, work, and more work.

Technology is usually taught in the abstract, i.e. a Microsoft Office Work Book. Students learn how use technology with Acme Shoe Company. What place based education does is give real content to teaching. It gives a heart to technology that makes it real and relevant to the student.

The links below will take you to some places that support place based education.