Our Mission... The Institute embraces a multi-faceted service mission: to provide a mechanism for connecting the numerous independent laboratories, specialized centers and research projects at Virginia Tech to public school teachers and students; to demonstrate "practical applications" of research to education; to assist in translating applications of laboratory protocols, research findings and science/engineering career options to public school teachers and students; to serve as a catalyst in generating collaboratives among the various science-related laboratories, centers and research projects at Virginia Tech and Virginia's community colleges; to connect corporate to K-12 interests in improving science and mathematics education.