To view our videos, you need to
enable JavaScript. Learn how.
install Adobe Flash 9 or above. Install now.

Then come back here and refresh the page.

GREENSBORO -- From levers and pulleys to frogs and space exploration, students at one North Carolina charter school is taking learning to new levels. A typical day at Triad Math and Science Academy merges textbooks and technology to shape the state's newest batch of star students.

"I experience what I'm learning, not just reading out of a book, so I know what it really, really is," said student Charles Walker.

This year marks the fourth year of the STEM-focused charter school. Educators welcomed 500 students students to the campus this year, while 1,000 others wait to get in.

"We know that there is a need and we want to contribute to do something about it," said Principal Hakan Orak.

He says even though the charter school is still in its infancy stages, he believes it has a winning model.

"We have a different curriculum here. It's a hands-on, inquiry-based science curriculum, a problem-based math curriculum," said Orak.

Teachers agree.

"I think that we have been raising the students who like to be scientists," said Isa Pumuk

Future scientists, inventors and teachers fill the classrooms. But the learning extends beyond the school day. Students like sixth grader Addison Adams also participate in after school learning clubs.

"You have to commit. Last year I came a lot of Saturdays and I got a lot of study time in," she said.

Adams is a member of Science Olympiad, a project-based club that competes with other students across the country.

"When you are building something and something goes wrong, your answer is not just right there in the book," she said. "You might have to think about something and why it didn't work."

Teachers say in addition to the competition factor, the club improves relationships.

"It's also something that you are using to build friendships or putting more self confidence inside of the students," said Pumuk.