The scientific and engineering approaches used to discover and explore these phenomena will consider the following aspects:

• A small number of "remote sites" (mainly in Chile) will generate data. Among these will be an observatory with a high quality telescope and a seismic measurement station in Chile. Technological challenges lie in the ease of use in accessing these data and in communicating the learners requests to the remote sites. The stress is put on re-usable components and protocols.
• The "construction of realities" includes the setting of (real) experiments, the provision of 3D virtual scenarios, artefacts that support other types of perceptual experience. An important point are "mixed reality" technologies.
• Concrete modelling & design includes 3D models with sound and tactile I/O as well as physical models with IT components (e.g. Lego Mindstorms).
• "Abstract and conceptual modelling" using formulae, diagrams as well as informal sketches will be supported through a combination of visual concept mapping tools with more formal representations such as "system dynamics" and other formalisms.
• Synchronous collaboration tools (including face-to-face group work) will contribute to forming a "group memory" which is also accessible in asynchronous mode. Conversely, the use of archives and repositories will be tightly integrated with synchronous activities.
• Local learning communities will exchange their ideas, results and problems in an international network, established by an "Open User Scheme". A speciality of CoLDEx lies in its origination from a European-Latin American co-operation incentive (Eurolat-IS). CoLDEx is in this sense trans-continental and aims at cross-fertilisation of experience and scientific understanding in a multicultural and multi-experiential community.