Describes the LabNet project that has three interrelated goals: (1) encouraging the use of student projects to enhance science learning, (2) building a professional community of practice among high school science teachers, and (3) exploiting the potential of today's new technologies. (PR)

Recommends ways in which the National Science Foundation can promote educational reform through the development of a national telecommunications system accessible to all schools and through support for project-enhanced science learning. Describes existing networks, factors in making a national network useful and accessible to teachers, and…

Begun in 1989, the LabNetwork is a telecommunications network for secondary science teachers and their students. Summer workshops provide teacher training in the network computer software and teaching methods based on student science projects. The development of a collaborative network-based "community of practice" is described. (SV)