This paper describes a joint research project between science educators and computer science software engineers. A computer software system based on cognitive learning theory was designed that was intended to be relevant to teaching, learning, curriculum development, and research in science education. The generic prototype software system was designed to serve three purposes: (1) to aid instructors and students of science in the construction of a meaningful knowledge base in a science discipline by means of concept mapping; (2) to serve as an intelligent, individualized, and interactive tutor for learning the concepts and conceptual relationships in a specified knowledge domain; and (3) to generate a database for subsequent analysis of, and research on, student misconceptions and how these might change through computer-based instruction. The database generated by the software program was designed to be used to guide subsequent construction, modification, or improvement of curricula. (TW)