From 1997 - 2004 Michael and Christine Fenton ran New Zealand's only school-based research organisation on a voluntary basis in their "spare" time. The Fentons have had many years industrial, teaching and research experience and have first hand knowledge of working with gifted children. This unique approach to education uses the principles of 'authentic learning' and provided students of all ages to make original discoveries.

The teaching and learning philosophy, as well as  the focus on developing a true understanding of the nature of science, highlighted and anticipated many of the issues covered in "Looking ahead: science education for the twenty-first century" recently released from the office of the Prime Minister's Science Advisory Committee.

Michael, Christine and the students reported their findings at conferences, in journals and on this website. Students also had access to a network of advisers from research and government agencies both nationally and overseas and laboratories at WITT.

Dr Sir William Pickering, former head of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and widely recognised as responsible for America's success in exploring the planets, was patron of the Nexus Research Group.