There are two approaches, the Japanese and the German. The Japanese method floats the car over a similar polarity field (N to N or S to S). The German method places opposite polarity magnet mounted to the car under the track supported magnet. Of the two, the German method is the more difficult to implement since it is not stable and has to have a processor in a feedback control loop to maintain the desired float altitude. Its advantage is that it can easily include linier motor action in the design. Siemens is the lead in the German system and has a demonstration system in operation. I have no idea about how much information on the exact workings of their system they may be willing to divulge to a student.