Windows to the Universe: An Internet Resource Bringing the Earth and Space Sciences to the General Public
R.M. Johnson (University of Michigan), C.J. Alexander (JPL), M. Burek, J. Kozyra, E. Lenhart (University of Michigan), J. Linker (SAIC), D. Mastie (Pioneer High School), M. Ceritelli (Columbus, Ohio), H. Thoenes (Boulan Park Middle School), P. Orselli (Ann Arbor Hands on Museum), T. Weymouth (Turn of the Century Software)
Windows to the Universe is a World Wide Web site that presents information about the Earth and Space sciences as well as related historical and cultural topics to the general public in an attractive and user-friendly way. The site makes extensive use of graphically annotated button panels to allow intuitive navigation through the site. The site is graphics intensive, providing access to a rich archive of images, movies, animations and data collected by satellites, spacecraft, and ground-based instruments. Intended primarily as an innovative information resource for museums, libraries, and classrooms, content within Windows to the Universe is developed to complement K-12 science education needs. Content is available at three levels of sophistication, approximating the elementary, middle, and high school levels, and resources are available on-line for teachers including standards-based keyword search capabilities and classroom activities. Supplementary CD-ROMs are available for Mac and Windows-95 platforms that allow rapid access to images on the site, rather than requiring the user to download images over the Internet. This award-winning site is funded by the NASA Public Use of Remote Sensing Data Bases Program.