This paper presents findings demonstrating benefits of cooperation between Edunetics, a commercial multimedia production company, and the Plano Independent School District (Texas) that resulted in a unique curriculum integration project. The "Message in a Fossil" (MIF) simulation software was used with three pairs of second grade students; data were gathered through pre- and post- questionnaires and interviews, video and audio taped MIF sessions, and the teacher's anecdotal and assessment sample records. Findings in the following areas are discussed: (1) student learning outcomes and processes; (2) the teacher's role and the classroom computer culture; and (3) contributions to the production knowledge of the producer. The results of the study indicate a positive impact of the curriculum-tailored, interactive multimedia simulation on both the teacher's perceptions and teaching methods and student's motivation, understanding, and thinking skills. Conclusions based on the results should assist curriculum designers, teachers, and multimedia producers in achieving better integration of educational software in school curriculum. (Author/DLS)