This paper presents the overall lifecycle and evolution of a software system we have developed in relation to the "Learning Ecology through Science with Global Outcomes" (LETS GO) research project. One of the aims of the project is to support "open inquiry learning" using mobile science collaboratories that provide open software tools and resources, and participation frameworks for learner project collaboration, mobile data and media capture, publishing, analysis, and reflection. The primary focus of this paper is to report on our technical development, insights and knowledge gained during the past four years. Technical implementations and the prototypes developed in this project have been tested across several educational trials conduced in Sweden and abroad with more than 400 learners. Insights and knowledge gained from these activities verify that learners´ requirements were adequately addressed while satisfying their needs. The outcomes and results of our efforts provided us with a better understanding with regard to which software engineering processes and approaches can be used to address and support the complex requirements that emerge in novel mobile learning scenarios. Thus, the results discussed in this paper provide deeper insights into the importance of properly addressing issues related to interoperability and extensibility in order to develop software solutions to support mobile learning that are sustainable and endurable over time.