21 Third grade Classes in Hays CISD participated in the “Prove It” videoconference led by Tracy Mulligan, Instructional Technology Specialist at Kyle Elementary School.   Oliver the Hedgehog from the Kyle Elementary Environmental Center visited the schools prior to the conference and students made observations and inferences about what type of hedgehog Oliver is.  In the videoconference, classes met to share their guess and prove it by backing up their prediction with facts.  “This is what scientists do in the real world when they find an unknown organism.  They compare it, make observations, study it, and come together with other scientists to discuss and make inferences.”   During one  program, Science Hall Elementary students admit that they first thought Oliver was a porcupine.  After making observations, and doing research on the projects Glogster site, students decided that Oliver was an African Pygmy Hedgehog.  Their hard work paid off – their predictions were correct!  Tracy Mulligan is passionate about providing authentic scientific activities for students.  This videoconference is an example of how Hays CISD is  providing real world learning experience and integrating 21^st Century Skills into instruction.