Portland kindergarten students go on virtual missions all around the world

PORTLAND (WGME) -- An elementary school in Portland is using a web based educational tool that uses real science adventures to help students learn reading, writing, math and much more.

At Lyseth Elementary School, three times out of the year, kindergarten students go on virtual missions all around the world.

It's an online program called “Go 2 Science.”

Students watch a live stream with a retired teacher from Maine and a scientist.

Beth and Curtis teach about everything from the rain forest to reptiles. During the interactive class, students email questions and they're answered on the streaming live video.

They also work on projects like putting together puzzles of animals they've studied.

The kindergarten students use a 3D printer to make things like campers.

They study the geography of the country they're learning about by making maps.

Kristen Tedscoe is in her second year of the program. She says she's never seen students this young so engaged.

"It's endless how it will help them. From the basic things such as reading, writing and math to them just thinking bigger and having them figure out how they are going to approach the world,” Tedscoe said.

One thing's for sure the kids love it.

“We're learning about koala's and kangaroos,” Mason Roberts said.

"And they hop and they don't go hopping back. Only they go forward,” Melanie Rase said.

Go 2 Science is part of a STEM education that Lyseth prides itself in and school officials hope this is just

“Well, everything is moving to hands-on and is innovation and thinking outside the box,” Tedscoe said. “It’s amazing, amazing."