Teacher educators at state funded 4-year institutions and community colleges who teach early childhood and child development courses have created a learning community. Through quarterly meetings they build relationships that result in shared learning experiences. National researchers in the fields of brain development, the impact poverty has on physical growth and cognition, instructional strategies for teaching and elements of family well-being are studied. Field trips, group projects and discussions that stimulate new opportunities that are offered to strategies. At the conclusion of each year, Scholars submit two syllabi they have revised as the result of the yearly study. These syllabi reflect how the Scholars will incorporate information gleaned from the study topics into their instruction.

The Hardin Scholars selected by each college/college dean to represent the institution meet quarterly to review new research findings in the field for the purpose of informing their teaching and research.