Students' Cloud Observations On-Line (S'COOL) Project - S'COOL is a component of the Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System (CERES) project of
NASA's Earth Science Enterprise. The first CERES instrument was launched in late 1997 to provide
global data on clouds. The 2nd and 3rd instruments were launched on the Terra spacecraft in December
1999. S'COOL Project participants make ground truth measurements for the CERES experiment. Ground
truth measurements are land-based observations to compare with satellite data for the purpose of
improving the satellite results.
Participating classes are asked to make basic weather observations and to record the type and features of
clouds in the sky at the time that the satellite passes over their location. Observations are then either
entered in an online form, emailed, faxed or mailed to NASA for entry into an online database. Students
have access to their results as well as those from other participating schools. Satellite observations for
matching times will also be captured so that CERES scientists can evaluate the results and students can
compare their observations to the satellite's.
(Added: 5-Feb-2001 Hits: 1194) [Spider search][grade levels: 3-5|6-8|9-12]
Studying the Earth's Environment from Space (SEES) - This site is organized in a modular style based
on Earth science topics studied by scientists
with environmental data collected by satellites.
Currently, four modules are being developed.
They are listed at the right. The Stratospheric
Ozone and Global Land Vegetation modules are
ready for use.
SEE)
http://See.gsfc.nasa.gov/
SEE focuses on enabling the use of NASA Earth science information and data for formal and informal
education. This program develops educational products for high school and undergraduate educators and
for students at these levels. It also works with organizations and individuals involved in informal education
throughout the U.S. to jointly produce useful educational and public awareness materials that utilize
NASA's Earth science knowledge and expertise.
Contacts: Blanche Meeson, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Earth Sciences Directorate, Code 900,
Greenbelt, MD 20771; Email: bmeeson@see.gsfc.nasa.gov or Carla Evans, Goddard Space Flight Center,
Earth Sciences Directorate, Code 900, Greenbelt, MD 20771; Email: cevans@see.gsfc.nasa.gov
(Added: 26-May-1999 Hits: 1644) [Spider search][grade levels: 6-8|9-12|post-secondary]
TOPEX/POSEIDON and Jason-1 Educational Outreach - Jointly sponsored by NASA and the French Space Agency (CNES) the TOPEX/POSEIDON satellite has
continuously surveyed the ocean surface height with a radar altimeter since launch in 1992. Now operating
beyond its design lifetime, it is hoped that TOPEX/POSEIDON will continue to collect data until fall of
2000 when the follow-on mission, Jason-1, will be launched.
Scientists are using TOPEX/POSEIDON satellite data, accurate to within 4cm, to learn about ocean
circulation including phenomena such as the El NiŅo/La NiŅa cycle. Oceans are a key mechanism in
transporting heat from the sun around the globe. Researchers are working to improve the understanding of
the role of oceans in controlling seasonal variations and longer-term climate changes.
TOPEX/POSEIDON data are also used for operational purposes including ship routing, fisheries
management, hurricane forecasting and support of underwater activities such as cable laying.
The TOPEX/POSEIDON and Jason-1 projects develop and provide a wide variety of physical
oceanography materials to K-13 educators and students including CD-ROMs, posters, brochures and
videos. Many resources are available through the Web. TOPEX/POSEIDON satellite data are posted on
the Web and can be accessed for use in the classroom.
Contact: Susan Digby, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, M/S 263-355, 4800 Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena, CA
91109 USA; Phone: (818) 354-6036; Fax (818) 354-0368; Email: topex@jpl.nasa.gov
(Added: 18-Apr-2001 Hits: 1107) [Spider search][grade levels: 3-5|6-8|9-12|K-2]
Virtually Hawaii - A guided tour of the islands that includes many air and ground photographs. There are also
several tours of Kilauea Volcano that include remote sensing data and a multitude of interesting
local features. Virtually Hawaii is one of several Internet projects funded by NASA's
Information Infrastructure Technology and Applications (IITA) program, which is part of the
High Performance Computing and Communications (HPCC) initiative. Virtually Hawaii is run
through the Hawaii Space Grant Consortium, UH Manoa. a guided tour that includes many air
and ground photographs. There are also several tours of Kilauea Volcano that include remote
sensing data and a multitude of interesting local features.
(Added: 22-May-1999 Hits: 986) [Spider search][grade levels: 6-8]
