The following is a list of resources for educators. Resources listed here deal primarily with global change, hydrology and science education.
- Electronic Information
- Material Designed Specifically for Educators
- Research Data Suitable for Educators
- Conferences and Workshops
- Newsletters
- Funding
- Satellite Data in the Classroom
1.1
If your institution is not connected to Internet, inquire about access at your local library or university.
1.2 -->NASA Home pages
NASA Earth Observatory
NASA Education Homepage
Marshall Space Flight Center
Armstrong Flight Research Center
Goddard Space Flight Center
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Kennedy Space Center
Stennis Space Center
The following are a few URL's for home pages that could be used in teaching:
- http://ghrc.nsstc.nasa.gov/lightning: Home of NASAs Lightning Research Team. With data from two satellite borne sensors and a terrific ' Lighting Primer ', this page provides invaluable information about many aspects of lightning.
- https://www.usra.edu/educational-activities-and-opportunities : This page contains information about the Universities Space Research Association (USRA) Earth System Science Education Program. Textbook surveys, learning modules and summer program information are also available.
- http://seawifs.gsfc.nasa.gov/SEAWIFS/LIVING_OCEAN/LIVING_OCEAN.html : The SeaWiFS Project involves studying ocean color from space. Also provides a Teacher's Guide with Activities.
- https://www.nationalgeographic.com/ : The Geography Education Division, the arm of the National Geographic Society that is spearheading the drive to restore geography in the schools as a vital component of a well-rounded education. Here you can find out about many exciting education initiatives and learn more about the renaissance of geography education that is spreading across the U.S.-and beyond!
- http://discovermagazine.com : DISCOVER Magazine offers science educators an up-to-date science resource that includes monthly lesson plans, quizzes and activities. Has been given the Bayer/NSF Award for Community Innovation.
- https://www.pmel.noaa.gov/elnino/ : An El Nino Theme Page: Accessing Distributed Information related to El Nino. This web site was a Federal Showcase Award Winner at the Federal Webmaster's Workshop 1996.
- http://weather.unisys.com : Current weather images from radar, space images, and models. Using a software package developed at Purdue University in the Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences once called WXP, it now runs on the UNISYS company machines. It is intended to be a general purpose weather visualization tool for current and archived meteorological data.
- http://pmm.nasa.gov/education/ : Precipitation Science educational resources and educators pages- which have a wealth of really good information and educator lessons etc. A fair bit of GPM GV Precipitation information is archived at GHRC.
http://www.earth.nasa.gov/flash_top.html : NASA's Destination Earth Page provides links about Earth Science data for the past, present and future. Of particular interest to educators is the "For Kids Only" link which has activities and games for learning.
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http://www.cotf.edu/ : The Classroom of the Future (COTF) mission is to develop resources that improve K-12 mathematics, science, and technology education. COTF engages students in doing real science by presenting them with problems currently being investigated by practicing scientists and by having students manipulate the actual data relevant to those problems.
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http://southport.jpl.nasa.gov/education.html : Introduction to Space Radar Imagery with teaching units including Lesson Plans, Slides and Teacher's Guide.
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2.0 Material Designed Specifically for Educators
2.1 Joint Education Initiative
The Joint Education Initiative (JEI) is an informal group of government agencies, companies, and educators formed in 1990 "to broaden educational horizons and promote the advancement of Science." JEI, (formerly known as JEDI), provides the educational community with the following services: training and outreach support to enable teachers to use scientific data sets, regional and national teacher workshops, facilitation of education/industry/government interaction, technical assistance in the acquisition and classroom use of CD-ROM based data sets, and hardware and software necessary to access scientific data sets. They have an excellent unit, Introduction to Remote Sensing , available on CD-ROM. The disk is distributed with a Users manual and teacher activities. (Cost: $24.95).
Joint Education Initiative
University of Maryland
3433 A. V. Williams Bldg.
College Park, MD 20742-3281
Telephone: (301) 405-4210
2.2 NASA CORE
NASA CORE (Central Operation of Resources for Educators) is the central point of contact for educators interested in materials available from NASA. NASA CORE is a central mail order service. Their 95 page catalog lists products including video cassettes, slide programs, filmstrips and computer programs that they distribute at minimal cost. Much of the material relates to Space exploration. Their catalog also provides addresses and contact numbers for the twelve NASA Teacher Resource Centers which also provide educational material.
NASA CORE
Lorain County JVC
15181 Route 58 S
Oberlin, OH 44074
Telephone: (216) 774-1051, Extension 293 or 294
Fax: (216 774-2144)
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2.1 NOAA Educational Affairs Division
NOAA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, has an Educational Affairs Division which works with schools. Teachers, librarians, and students at all levels can now receive selected NOAA Educational items directly through Internet. Information categories include global change, weather, satellite information, marine studies.
To obtain information and brochures on their programs and materials, write to:
NOAA Public and Constituent Affairs
Room 317,
1825 Connecticut Ave, NW
Washington DC 20235
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2.2 UNESCO
UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, has computer-basedlearning modules on the marine environment which contain image software and a series of lessons. The materials are distributed free of cost to users. UNESCO requires all recipients to complete an evaluation sheet and they appreciate enhancements to existing lessons or new lesson material from users.Inventory of innovative learning materials in marine science and technology .
UNESCO
TREDMAR Programme (attn. Dir. G. Troost)
1 Rue Miollis
75015 Paris, FRANCE
Fax: (33) 1-47835940
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2.3 CIESIN (Consortium for International Earth Science Information Network)
CIESIN encourages collaboration with organizations pursuing global change research and strives to integrate information in the natural and human sciences. CIESIN has recently made lesson plan material available via Internet and is actively involved in making Earth Science material accessible to students.
CIESIN (Consortium for International Earth Science Information Network)
SEDAC (Socioeconomic Data and Applications Center)
Customer Service
2250 Pierce Road
University Center, MI 48710
Telephone: (517) 797-2727
Fax: (517) 797-2622
E-mail: ciesin.info@ciesin.org
2.6 Teacher Resource Laboratories
Teacher Resource Centers (TRCs) contain a wealth of information for educators: publications, reference books, slide sets, audio cassettes, video tapes, telelecture programs, computer programs, lesson plans, and activities. To offer more educators access to NASA educational materials, NASA has formed partnerships with universities, museums, and other educational institutions to serve as Regional Teacher Resource Centers. For the location nearest you, please contact the TRC serving your geographic region.
NASA Teacher Resource Center
Mail Stop T12-A
NASA Ames Research Center
Moffett Field, CA 94035
NASA Teacher Resource Center
Mail Stop 8-1
NASA Lewis Research Center
21000 Brookpark Road
Cleveland, OH 44135
NASA Educators Resource Laboratory
Mail Code ERL
NASA Kennedy Space Center
Kennedy Space Center, FL 32899
NASA Teacher Resource Center
Public Affairs Office (Trl. 42)
NASA Dryden Flight Research Facility
Edwards, CA 93523
NASA Teacher Resource Center
Virginia Air and Space Center
600 Settler's Landing Road
Hampton, VA 23669-4033
NASA Teacher Resource Room
Mail Code AP-2
NASA Johnson Space Center
Houston, TX 77058
NASA Teacher Resource Center
Building 1200
NASA John C. Stennis Space Center
Stennis Space Center, MS 39529
Education Complex - Visitors Center
Building J-17
Wallops Flight Facility
Wallops Island, VA 23337
NASA Teacher Resource Laboratory
Mail Code 130.3
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
Greenbelt, MD 20771
NASA Teacher Resource Center for MSFC
U. S. Space and Rocket Center
P. O. Box 070015
Huntsville, AL 35807-7015
NASA Teacher Resource Center
JPL Educational Outreach
Mail Stop CS-530
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
4800 Oak Grove Drive
Pasadena, CA 91109
Educational Programs Office
Teacher Resource Laboratory
Goddard Space Flight Center, Code 130.3
Greenbelt, MD 20771
Telephone: (301) 286-8570 or (301) 286-7205
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There are a number of educational resources available from the U.S. Geological Survey. The resources, which include posters, lesson plans, brochures, activity books and audiovisual aids, are listed in Educational Resources Available from the U.S. Geological Survey .
Geologic Inquiries Group
U.S. Geological Survey
907 National Center
Reston, VA 22092
A group within the USGS is developing a multimedia system on global environmental change called GeoMedia2 . GeoMedia2 , which is in a test phase, uses hypermedia techniques. It is distributed on CD-ROM and requires a Macintosh system 7, version 7 or higher. At this time, it is available to educators who wish to participate in evaluation of the package. General release will follow. For information contact:
Project Chief
GeoMedia2 Educational System
U.S. Geological Survey
801 National Center
Reston, VA 22092
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2.5 Bigelow Laboratory
Bigelow Laboratory has developed science programs for grades K-12 and special geographical programs.
2.6 The National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR)
The National Center for Atmospheric Research has a Global Change Instruction Program and distributes materials, at minimal cost ($5) for use on a Macintosh computer. Topics include: the Sun-Earth System, Clouds and Climate Change, El Nino and the Peruvian Anchovy Fishery, Population Growth. They also have slide sets on Clouds and Thunderstorms (8/$5.) and some free fact sheets which can be used in classrooms.
Milli Butterworth/ Louise Carroll
NCAR Educational and Outreach Programs
National Center for Atmospheric Research
P.O. Box 3000
Boulder CO 80307-3000
Telephone: (303) 497-8601/8611
Fax: (303) 497-8610
Project LEARN at NCAR is an experiential program for middle-level and junior-high teachers in Atmospheric Research. The program was run in the summer of '94. For more information contact:
J. Gellhorn at NCAR
Telephone: (303) 497-1172
Fax: (303) 497-1170
E-mail: gellhorn@ncar.ucar.edu
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2.7 The American Chemical Society/American Institute of Physics (ACS)
The American Chemical Society/American Institute of Physics publish a booklet, WonderScience, for elementary school children to use under the direct supervision of adults. It describes fun physical science activities. They also publish ChemWalk Posters ($3 each) featuring examples of chemistry encountered in the city, suburbs and the country.
American Chemical Society
WonderScience Magazine or ChemWalks Posters
P.O. Box 57136
Washington, DC 20037
2.11 National Space Science Data Center (NSSDC)
NASA Earth and Planetary data from Nimbus 7 TOMS, Galileo, Magellan (Venus), Viking (Mars), and Voyager (outer planets) are available on CD-ROM. Selected images from the popular CD-ROMs and software are accessible via anonymous FTP from nssdca.gsfc.nasa.gov, in the directories /cdrom/image and /cdrom/software, respectively.
Also available are video tapes of computer animated Venus flight, SIR-A movie, solar system visualization, and time-lapse TOMS ozone atlas; and various press release photographs.
National Space Science Data Center (NSSDC)
Code 633.4
Greenbelt, MD 20771
Telephone: (301) 286-6695
Fax: (301) 286-1771
E-mail: request@nssdca.gsfc.nasa.gov
2.12 National Oceanographic Data Center (NODC)
Items in the Directory of U.S. Marine CD-ROMs can be obtained from:
National Oceanographic Data Center (NODC)
User Services Branch
NESDIS/NOAA E/0C21
1825 Connecticut Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20235
Telephone: (202) 606-4549
Fax: (202) 606-4586
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2.8 National Climatic Data Center (NCDC)
Teacher and student packages (limit three per classroom) containing brochures and pamphlets describing weather and climate and NCDC publications may be obtained.
2.9 American Geological Institute (AGI)
This is a private non-profit organization that has two products of interest: Earth Science Resource Listing, which provides a list of sources for educational material; and Earth Science Content Guide , which provides curriculum information.
2.10 Canada Centre for Remote Sensing (CCRS)
The Canada Centre for Remote Sensing distributes educational material including a brochure on Satellite Imagery of Earth which is a resource guide for teachers.
Jean Game
The Canada Centre for Remote Sensing
588, Booth Street
Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0Y7
Canada
Telephone: (613) 947-1216
Fax: (613) 947-1382
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2.11 Canadian Space Agency (CSA)
Geoscope , an encyclopedia of Global Change, is Canada's main contribution to the International Space Year (1992). Over 40 organizations contributed over 150 Earth observation data sets to the hypermedia product that is distributed on CD-ROM. It features access to text, charts, imagery and animations and contains analysis and map editing tools.
Canadian Space Agency
External Relations
500 Rene Levesque Blvd. West
Montreal, Quebec
Canada
Fax: (514) 496-4220
2.12 Radar Remote Sensing of Coastal Regions on CD-ROM
This product consists of a CD-ROM of documented SAR imagery and a Users Guide. It contains four application modules in coastal land use in the intertidal zone, aquaculture, near-shore wave patterns and flooding. The material is designed for engineers, researchers, environmental managers and post-secondary teachers. There are costs associated with this product.
Dirk Werle
AERDE Environmental Research
P.O. Box 1002 / Central
Halifax, NS, Canada B3J 2X1
Telephone: (902) 423-2211
Facsimile: (902) 477-4477
E-mail: werle@fox.nstn.ns.ca
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2.12 Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)
A group at JPL has developed a space shuttle radar CD-ROM education package that contains teaching modules on Radar remote sensing. It contains a teachers resource guide, presentation materials and lesson guides in addition to five modules. The modules are: Mission to Planet Earth, How radar images the Earth, SIR-C/X SAR, Looking at radar images and Exploration and Discovery. It is suitable for Middle and High school Earth science, computing or geography programs. Material includes radar imagery, hand held shuttle photographs, maps, ground photographs, S/W for image display and documents.
EROS Data Center
Attn: Customer Services
Sioux Falls, South Dakota 57198
Phone: (605) 594-6151
Fax: (605) 594-6589
E-mail: eros@edcserver1.cr.usgs.gov
Educational material on the shuttle radar program is available at http://southport.jpl.nasa.gov/ . -->
2.13 Documents from UCAR and NCAR
The UCAR Office for Interdisciplinary Earth Studies distributes class sets of monographs in the Reports to the Nations series. Our Ozone Shield and El Nino and Climate Prediction are currently available.
Diane Ehret
UCAR Office for Interdisciplinary Earth Studies
PO BOX 3000
Boulder, CO 80307-3000
Telephone: (303) 497-2692
Fax: (303)497-2699
E-mail: ehret@ncar.ucar.edu
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The following document is a good resource for educators and/or students:
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Shea, D. J. et al, An Introduction to Atmospheric and Oceanographic Data , NCAR Technical Note TN-404+1A.
Dennis Shea
National Center for Atmospheric Research
PO BOX 3000
Boulder, CO 80307-3000
Telephone: (303) 497-1000
E-mail: shea@ncar.ucar.edu
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2.14 Earth and Space Science ( http://www.agu.org/ )
Earth and Space Science is the only journal that reflects the expansive range of science represented by AGU’s 62,000 members, including all of the Earth, planetary, and space sciences, and related fields in environmental science, geoengineering, space engineering, and biogeochemistry. Articles have glossaries, lists of suggested reading, and personal comments from the authors. Published by American Geophysical Union (AGU).
Journal Customer Services
John Wiley & Sons Inc
350 Main Street
Malden MA 02148, USA
Tel (toll free): +1 800 835 6770
E-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com
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3.0 Research Data Suitable for Educators
3.1 NASA Headquarters, Earth Science and Application Division
Items for use in the classroom can be ordered from The Earth Science and Application Division of NASA Headquarters which has a Document Resource Facility. Some folders, Ocean Color from Space or Oceanography from Space, may still be available.
Bernadette D'Tiege
Document Resource Facility
Earth Sciences Support Office
300 D Street, SW, Suite 840
Washington, DC 20024
Telephone: (202) 479-0360
3.2 Topographical Maps, Aerial Photographs, and Satellite Image Maps of the U.S.
Topographical maps of the United States, aerial photographs or satellite image maps, (write on school letterhead to get 50% cost reduction).
U.S. Geological Survey
Earth Science Information Center
507 National Center, Reston, VA 22092
Telephone: (800) 872-6277--(800) USA-Maps
3.3 National Geophysical Data Center (NGDC)
Geophysics of North America and other educational material products are available from National Geophysical Data Center (NGDC). There are costs associated with some products.
National Geophysical Data Center (NGDC)
NOAA/NESDIS/NGDC, Code E/GC4
325 Broadway, Boulder, CO 80303-3328
Telephone: (303) 497-6826
E-mail: info@mail.ngdc.noaa.gov
3.4 Gifts in Kind
This company sells software to non-profit agencies/companies at reduced prices.
Chris Bonner
Gifts in Kind
700 N. Fairfax St., #300
Alexandria, VA 22314
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4.1 Educational Center for Earth Observation Systems
The Educational Center for Earth Observation Systems holds conferences, workshops, promotes curriculum development, and provides instruction and documents.
Educational Center for Earth Observation Systems
Dr. Nancy McIntyre, Director
West Chester University
302 D Recitation Hall
West Chester, PA 19383
Telephone: (215) 436-2393
Fax: (215) 436-3110
4.2 Colorado Alliance for Science
The Colorado Alliance for Science is a consortium of business, industry, public agencies, schools and others working for the improvement of mathematics and sciences in grades K-16 in Colorado. Among other things, they offer programs for teachers, match experienced people with classrooms needing special information, and hold an annual conference on educational issues.
Colorado Alliance for Science
University of Colorado
Campus Box 456
Boulder, CO 80309-0456
Telephone: (303) 492-6392
Fax: (303) 492-3400
4.3 GSFC DAAC Earth Resource Browse Facility
Presentations are given to science and math teachers about the Landsat satellite, its imagery and uses. Imagery, materials, and handouts are provided. These programs are coordinated by the Goddard Educational Office. A limited number of documents and photographic products are also available for educational use.
Educational Programs Office
Teacher Resource Laboratory
Goddard Space Flight Center
Code 130.3
Greenbelt, MD 20771
Telephone: (301) 286-8570 or (301) 286-7205
4.4 Speakers Bureaus
The electric utility company in Southern California, Southern California Edison, 818/302-7892, has a speakers bureau and also sponsors educational programs; other large utility companies may offer similar services. Speakers programs are also available at many large institutions such as the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
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5.1 Joint Education Initiative (JEI) News
To request a subscription to the JEI News, contact:
Joint Education Initiative (JEI) Office
University of Maryland
3433 A.V. Williams Bldg.
College Park, MD 20742-3281
Telephone: (301) 405-2324
Fax: (301) 405-9377
Teacher Coordinator and Editor: Bill Johnson
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5.1 The Earth Observer
To subscribe to the The Earth Observer , the EOS (Earth Observing System) periodical of news and events, or to obtain EOS posters contact:
EOS Project Science Office
Code 900
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
Greenbelt, MD 20771
5.2 Earth System Monitor
To subscribe to Earth System Monitor , the NOAA National Environmental Satellite, Data and Information Service's quarterly publication describing NOAA data and information services, contact:
Environmental Information Services
NOAA/NESDIS Ex2
Universal Building, Room 506
1825 Connecticut Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20235
Telephone: (202) 606-4561 (Richard Abram)
6.0 Funding
With school funding as tight as it is, it pays to look aggressively for financial support for your network outside of the usual channels. One avenue worth exploring is grant programs. Federal agencies, commercial entities, and other organizations have programs designed to award funds to schools with good plans for putting them to use. Since most grants are awarded on the merit of the plan, you'll need to put some thought into your plan and spend the time to write a quality proposal. One way to approach this process is to look closely at the winning applications from the previous year or grant cycle and see how they responded to the application criteria.
The following are sources of funding for establishing educational programs.
6.1 NASA Funding
In order to apply for funds for computers, software, and other educational needs, send a proposal to:
Dr. Frank Muller-Karger
NASA Headquarters
Code SEP
Washington, DC 20546
Telephone: (202) 358-0238
Fax: (202) 358-3098
6.2 Joint Venture (JOVE) Program
The JOVE program is a Joint Venture partnership between NASA and institutions of high education which have had little or no involvement in the nation's space program, for the purpose of building research capabilities and to broaden direct participation in space science and technology. This program requires a commitment of funds and a minimum of three years. For more information please contact
Bardie Brown, Deputy Manager or Maurice Estes, Jr.
JOVE Program
University Space Research Association (USRA)
4950 Corporate Drive, Suite 100
Huntsville, AL 35806
Telephone: (205) 895-0582
6.3 National Geographic Society Education Foundation ( http://www.nationalgeographic.com/ )
The National Geographic Society Education Foundation was established in 1988 through an initial grant of 20 million dollars from the Society. The Education Foundation provides a permanent and expanding source of financial support for exemplary geography education programs. The mission is to revitalize the teaching and learning of geography in the nation's K-12 classrooms. They currently award more than three million dollars in grants annually to programs nationwide. The Society continues to solicit individual and corporate contributions to help support its educational goals.
6.4 Department of Education ( http://www.ed.gov/ )
If you're interested in applying for a grant or contract, here's information you'll need to know. Department guidelines, regulations, and funding opportunities are available here. Interested in student financial assistance? That's in this section too. If it's about money, you'll find it in Money Matters. The Department of Education makes available billions of dollars annually.
7.0 Satellite Data in the Classroom
7.1 NOAA Satellite information
For information on how to receive satellite data in the classroom, write to:
Mary F. Hughes, Satellite Technical Information Specialist
NOAA/NESDIS
Data Collection and Direct Broadcast Branch, E/SP21
World Weather Building, Room 806
Washington, DC 20233
Telephone: (301) 763-8447
Fax: (301) 763-8449
7.2 Space Technology Education Program
The Space Technology Education Program (STEP) is a NASA-sponsored program to enhance K-12 education with classroom applications of satellite Direct Readout technology. STEP organizes training and technical assistance to teachers who wish to use real-time images broadcast daily by U.S., European, Russian, Chinese and Japanese meteorological satellites. STEP offers initial training and implementation, ongoing support and continuing development as new educational materials and equipment becomes available.
Space Technology Education Program
P.O. Box 134001, Ann Arbor
MI 48113-4001
Telephone: 313 994-1200
Fax: 313 665-6559
Email: CIESIN_SC@ERIM.Org
7.3 NASA Materials for the Classroom
The NASA Office of Education works collaboratively with NASA's mission directorates to promote education as an integral component of every major NASA research and development mission. These efforts result in innovative and informative educational materials that engage student interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
7.4 NASA for Educators
Search hundreds of resources by subject, grade level, type and keyword. These lesson plans and teaching materials support your STEM curriculum.
