Project Goal  This project proposes to develop web-based teaching modules for middle and high school students with a focus on character education, by linking social responsibility with environmental issues.  Collaboration  The project is a joint collaboration among the following American and Russian education organizations:   American  Russian Walker County School District, LayFayette, Georgia USA Dr. Wayne Robinson, Director of Science & Technology Al. Herzen State Pedagogical University of Russia, St. Petersburg, Russia Dr. Andrew Akahayan, Head Emissia Analitical Group Georgia State University Atlanta, GA USA  Dr. Jack Hassard, Professor & Coodinator of Science Education Russian State Hydrometerological University, St. Petersburg, Russia  Dr. Vitaly Sychev, Head the Department of Telecommunications Funding  The project was funded by the Georgia Department of Education Innovation Program and the Eisenhower Higher Education Program. Inkind contributions were made by Georgia State University, Walker County School District, the Hydrometeorological University and the Al. Herzen State Pedagogical University of Russia  Overview of the Project  The project proposes to develop a web-based course for middle and high school students with a focus on character education, by linking social responsibility with environmental issues. The course will be interdisciplinary in nature and will involve students in local and global scientific investigations. Through the project, on-line collaboration between students and environmental researchers will be provided via the Internet. The course will be global in nature and will be the result of a collaborative effort between teachers in Walker County, Georgia, and teachers in St. Petersburg, Russia. Georgia State University (GSU), the State Pedagogical University of St. Petersburg and the State Hydrometeorological Unversity of Russia have agreed to work with the project schools in the development of teaching modules, distance learning technology and support.  American and Russian teachers were brought together for a Summer Institute in 1999 which included curriculum development, environmental science and monitoring activities, hands on investigations, educational use of the Internet and distance learning technologies, and methods of integrating character education and social responsibility into developed curriculum modules. Teachers were organized into cross-cultural working research teams. Each team had the task of developing one module during the summer, and then during the 1999-2000 school year to field-test those modules with their students in a web-based environment.  Using the Internet and other distance learning technologies, the project developers will work with teachers to assess the modules and suggest modifications for change. In summer of 2000 all teachers in the project will attend an Environmental Summit in St. Petersburg to formalize implementation plans, refine modules, and share research results. Teachers will also initiate the development and implementation of a second phase of instructional modules for the 2000 school year.  Expected outcomes  Through exciting hands-on, academic investigations and the integration of collaborative distance learning and computer based technology, real-life connections will be made to state identified concepts which are routinely addressed through traditional textbooks and classroom instruction. Student excitement and enthusiasm will be reflected in improved academic achievement in many discipline areas. Students involved in the project will increase their ability to conduct environmental investigations involving critical thinking. We also believe that student attitudes, behaviors and knowledge about the environment will be enhanced (Hassard, 1997, Robinson, 1996). Students will develop character traits associated with acting responsibly on environmental issues, and this, we believe, will contribute to the student's progress in character education. To assess the impact of this project on students environmental attitudes, behaviors and content knowledge, we will administer the Wisconsin Environmental Survey. To measure academic gains and mastery of curriculum objectives, we will administer on a pre/post basis Walker County middle school content tests, which are aligned to the Iowa Test of Basic Skills and Georgia's Revised Quality Core Curriculum.  The project will enhance teacher's educational use of the Internet and distance learning technologies through formal training and hands-on applications. As a result of participation in the project, we believe teachers will be better able to design curriculum materials and to integrate social responsibility and character education into their instructional lessons. In order to assess teachers progress in the use of Internet, distance learning technologies and the application of character education goals into instruction, we will design and administer a pre/post middle school teacher survey.  Replication  Other Georgia school systems and RESAs will be able to replicate the project. All instructional modules developed will be published on the Internet, and the project web-site will be designed to accommodate all interested teachers. Although the proposed collaboration will be between schools in Walker County, Georgia and St. Petersburg, Russia, we believe that this project can easily be expanded to involve students and teachers throughout the world. The Environmental Monitoring Kit designed for use with instructional modules will be reasonably priced and developed with a wide range of teachers and grade levels in mind.