A strong collaboration has been formed to develop high school instructional materials that portray today's practice of science. This collaboration includes practicing scientists, a school district, science educators, educational evaluators and funding organizations.

In August of 2004 Dr. Leroy Hood, Co-founder and President of the Institute for Systems Biology, and Dr. Mike Riley, Superintendent of Bellevue Public Schools, formally agreed to move forward with the development of high school instructional materials that would introduce all of Bellevue's students to emerging practices in science while meeting Washington State's science instruction standards. Shortly thereafter, a strong collaboration was formed that included practicing scientists, a school district, science educators, educational evaluators and funding organizations.

Two key faculty at the Institute for Systems Biology were involved in the design and development of the modules, Drs. Baliga and Hood. Dr. Baliga and his research group serve as the project's lead scientists. An example of this collaboration can be seen through the large group assembled to create the Ecological Networks Module.

Bellevue School District is a preeminent district for the development of these materials. Their parents and administrators want curricula that place their students on the leading edge not behind it. They possess strong leadership in curriculum and use of technology in classrooms.

Evaluation teams are currently forming to assess the impact of the instructional materials on student outcomes.

Funding for the materials development came from the National Science Foundation, The Stuart Foundation and the Amgen Foundation.