There are certain online entities you can count on for consistent quality website design. PBS, National Geographic, the Library of Congress, and NASA. Maybe it's because they have such substantive content they feel more at ease about their web development projects. I don't know, but whatever it is NASA offers the most diverse, comprehensive collection of sites offering invaluable data and resources for learners of all ages. It's incredible how their work permeates so many different areas of the Web.

Having said all this, I had to pare down my list to the twelve top NASA sites for teachers. Talk about a tough job. This was no picnic. And in some cases I could have made a different call on the sites I selected and still have been happy. In the end this has turned into an expanded edition. I know you'll enjoy this week's offerings!

Just a reminder, I'm still hoping to hear from more subscribers who would like to nominate additional online distance learning programs in response to last week's issue. I would like to do a Distance Learning Update issue in the next couple of weeks, so let me know your preferences!

• Ask a High Energy Astronomer - http://imagine.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/ask_astro/ask_an_astronomer.html
  Part of the Imagine the Universe site, this page includes guidelines for teachers and an archive of previously answered questions. It is what it says it is; there are lots of common sense categories for questions and an easy form field for sending questions directly to NASA staff. They do not accept more than one question per e-mail and no more than one question a week from a student. It usually takes one to two weeks for them to answer a question, so you really do have to plan ahead if you are working within a timeframe.
• Athena - http://www.athena.ivv.nasa.gov/index.html
  Subtitled "earth and space science for K-12", Athena covers weather, oceans, and space phenomena using actual data to help students construct their own understandings of the principles at work; teacher support and student ready, the site hasn't been updated since May 1999 but the activities herein are still worthwhile. And the links to additional resources are fabulous. Great for middle school students on up.
• Cassini - http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/cassini/
  Official site of this NASA mission to study Saturn and its moon Titan. It includes mission information, the science behind the mission, a kids page, images and video. There's a section that focuses specifically on the Cassini project itself and other sections on its recently concluded study of the planet Jupiter as it continues to move towards Saturn. There are two sections specifically for teachers and students, and with Cassini not scheduled to arrive at Saturn until July 1, 2004 there's plenty of time to get involved!
• Glossary of Acronyms and Abbreviations - http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/shuttle/technology/sts-newsref/stsover-acronyms.html
  This is another low-glitz site, but consider the potential for use with your students. You're following a shuttle mission with your class and you'd like to decipher some of that NASA-speak. Or you'd like to make the experience a little more authentic by incorporating a little bit of the jargon into your own class discussions? This is the place: dozens and dozens of examples of NASA-speak in plain text format!
• Human Space Flight - http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/
  This is the premier site for following both the Space Shuttle and Space Station missions. It covers everything from breaking news to press releases, facts and real time data, status reports, video clips, and much, much more. If you intend to follow a space mission in real time in your classroom, this is the link you'll need.
• Learning Technologies Project - http://learn.ivv.nasa.gov/
  This is a wonderfully formatted website that presents a government initiative to increase public access to scientific databases, develop new applications for science data, and create new curriculum products and tools for K-12 and education. It is your one stop to find all the resources NASA has to offer with a special section dedicated exclusively to teacher use. Bookmark this site!
• NASA Television Coverage on CU-See Me - http://btree.lerc.nasa.gov/NASA_TV/NASA_TV.html
  Not as slick as many other NASA sites, this is nonetheless truly a find for teachers: you can watch NASA events live using a videocamera attached to a computer and CU-See Me videoconferencing technology! The site offers basic information on how to set up and a schedule of upcoming events. The next upcoming event, for example is the launching of STS-100 on April 19, 2001. Imagine the possibilities!
• Observatorium - http://observe.ivv.nasa.gov/nasa/entries/entry_6.html
  The Observatorium is a public access site for Earth and space data: "We have pictures of the Earth, planets, stars, and other cool stuff, as well as the stories behind those images." There are sections full of educator's resources, games and activities, images and wall to wall information. There's also a link to information on a Deep Space Distance Learning Course that is offered for teachers through the University of North Dakota!
• Origins of the Universe - http://origins.jpl.nasa.gov/
  This fabulous presentation on the origins of the universe has great graphics, interactive learning, and it not only beckons the past.....it heralds in our future as well! Perfect for middle and high school students studying theories of the origins of the universe and looking for hard data they can analyze to help them apply their knowledge!
• Quest - http://quest.arc.nasa.gov/
  NASA's Quest is a great elementary and middle school site that brings together real time NASA missions with lessons and projects catered to teacher's instructional needs. It's the first place to stop when visiting NASA for instructional ideas. Consider these upcoming events: A Full Week of events with Classroom Connect during Global Science and Technology Week May 7 through 11, Effects of Space on the Human Body Webcast May 10, Design a Mars Airplane Webcast May 22, and an Astronaut Health Webcast May 23.
• Science@NASA - http://science.nasa.gov/
  Here is a look at NASA from a current events point of view. Want to incorporate Science into your High School Social Studies (or vice versa)? Look at some of these current topics: The Mysterious Case of Crater Giordano Bruno, The Phantom Torso, Roses for the Red Planet. This site helps put a human face on the science behind the space program. Check it out!
• Solar System Simulator - http://space.jpl.nasa.gov/
  Type in your specs and prepare to view a full-color image of your favorite heavenly body from the vantage point of different space craft and planets - too cool!
• Space Link - http://spacelink.nasa.gov/.index.html
  Subtitled "An Aeronautics and Space Resource for Educators Since 1988", this is the educator's conduit for all things related to our nation's Space Program. There's great teacher support with data, lessons, projects and interactivity with NASA staff. There's also a free mailing list so you can be notified of new resources as they become available. This site is great for long-term teacher planning.
• Space Place - http://spaceplace.jpl.nasa.gov/
  An elementary-level site with lots of neat projects, facts and opportunities to share ideas - easy on the eyes and easier to navigate. The Just for Teacher's section will help you make the most of the materials available here, and the response you'll get from your students will have you coming back for more.
• Star Child - http://starchild.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/StarChild/StarChild.html
  Here's NASA's astronomy site for young children. It starts with the solar system and expands through the Universe, allowing children to work through two different levels of information. It's the same great NASA materials geared down for elementary space aficionados.
• Sunspots - http://www.exploratorium.edu/sunspots/
  The Exploratorium makes use of NASA data and images in presenting this superb tour of this solar phenomenon; includes an interactive JAVA section. Great for older students.
• Virtual Trips to Black Holes and Neutron Stars - http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/htmltest/rjn_bht.html
  A combination of written descriptions and MPEG movies provide a virtual experience of viewing these space phenomena with amazing effects. Because the subject matter is so complicated it is best suited for secondary students.
  

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