WHEELING, WV, JAN. 26, 2004 - LOG ON AND LEARN is the tagline of the new MISSION GROUND TRUTH:21 website and with good reason, since students who click it can take part in online science research that can change their world.

How? By becoming part of OGLEBAY INSTITUTE'S MISSION GROUND TRUTH:21 (MGT:21) environmental education program headquartered at the Schrader Environmental Education Center in Oglebay Park, Wheeling, West Virginia. Students who use the online study have the advantage of distance learning at their fingertips, no matter where they live. Never leaving their own schools and communities, these 7th and 8th grade students can take part in the award winning MGT:21 lesson plans.

"Not every school can travel the distance to visit the Schrader Center and take advantage of the educator inspired Mission Ground Truth program but now thanks to this new website, all students and schools with internet capabilities can sign up for Mission Ground Truth:21," explained Schrader Center director Eriks Janelsins. "Students from all over the country can join the 5,500 students from our region who have explored the environment with our hands-on science lesson."

"Actually, students from all over the world are now able to log on and learn and we are looking forward to working with educators from other regions who are anxious to give their students a quality environmental science activity," he added. The site went live Feb. 5, 2004.

The Schrader Environmental Education Center has been honored since its construction in the year 2000 for its ecological efforts at sustainable architecture. One of the few eco-constructed nature centers in the country, the Schrader Center is open to the public.

Now, it is being honored for its newest school program, MGT:21. Teachers and students love it. This science inquiry program features data collection, hypothesis building, and result inspiring environmental work. Students who participate online can test the streams and forests environments in their own backyard, log on and learn.

Funded by grants from the prestigious Roger King Mellon Foundation and the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation, Oglebay Institute's MGT:21 has received a lot of attention lately, attracting record numbers of students since its inception in 2001.

Log on and learn how your school can participate in this award winning scientific study at http://www.missiongroundtruth.com. Or call Schrader Center Director Eriks Janelsins at 304.242.6855.

Celebrating nature everyday, the Schrader Center is part of the Oglebay Institute. Established in 1930, the Institute includes theatre, visual arts, museums and nature. Offering quality public programming located in Wheeling, WV, Oglebay Institute's website is located at www.oionline.com.

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