As teachers, they strive to implement imaginative, creative lessons to connect their students with the dynamic mystery of science. To help infuse curricular programs with the philosophy of learning by doing, the staff of Emerson Junior-Senior High School designed and implemented an authentic interdisciplinary project called "Research@the.River.com." Originally created in spring 2001 as a pilot program to test various mechanisms designed by the district to enhance student achievement, "Research@the.River.com" is a project-based learning metaphor geared to expanding students' creative and critical-thinking skills. The abilities of the students to use inference, develop and refine objective opinions, and employ investigative principles for cause-and-effect relationships were identified early as desired areas for improvement.