Students in selected Iowa schools will soon have a chance to study chemistry a different way with a new multi-media software program being developed by Iowa State education majors.

Project DaVinci is a multi-media program, funded by US West Communications. It involves not only computers, but other technologies like CU-SeeMe video monitors that let students learn from teachers not in their classrooms, said Gary Downs, coordinator of Project DaVinci.

The “extremely interactive” software will be used by teachers and students in 12 primary and secondary schools across Iowa. In middle schools and high schools, the program will use art to illustrate chemistry principles. Project DaVinci will incorporate “art and science at the elementary level,” Downs said.

“We’re not sure what the parameters of Project DaVinci are. Right now we’re brainstorming as to what direction we’d like to go,” said Mary Chmura, one of 19 ISU education majors chosen to work on the project. Student scholars are responsible for developing the Project DaVinci software, testing the program in the schools and making necessary corrections after tests are complete. Since the program is expected to last two years, mostly sophomores and juniors were chosen for Project DaVinci.

However, “there are a few seniors in the program who will continue to gather information as they start their teaching,” Downs said.