Eureka! A New Resource For Science Teachers (NAPSA)—Space is not only the final frontier at NASA, it’s also being explored by K-12 science teachers searching for lesson plans that keep up with rapid advances in science and technology. Increasingly, these teachers look to NASA as a trusted source of accurate and up-to-date information. Space also captures the imagination of students, creating a natural foundation for inquirybased activities and research projects. But how do educators find the materials that match their specific needs? To help science teachers do that, members of the Education Support Network of NASA’s Space Science Enterprise have created a searchable online directory of resources for educators. The directory is designed to be compatible with general-purpose education databases that were already used by teachers, such as the Gateway to Education Materials sponsored by the Department of Education. The directory is also easy to use. So, what do you find if you search the directory? You will find a selection of (so far) hundreds of resources that can be delivered electronically to your computer. This includes Web sites designed for use in grades K-12 from major NASA missions like the Hubble Space Telescope, Chandra X-ray Observatory, Mars probes, or the Astrobiology Institute. There are sites focused on specific subjects and gradelevels (for example, the Space Place, which is targeted at the younger students). Images, teacher guides and activity packets are also available, ready for you to down- SPEESIScience’ ATCTUCL CGS directory NASAis inviting the nation’s science teachers to explore a Website to find materials to capture the imagination of students. load and print out. When you search for resources by grade, subject, keyword, or topic, the directory will display matching items, along with information about the products. Educators use their search results in a variety of ways. For example, search listings can help an educator plan a space science unit or find up-to-date space science information to supplement a textbook. Individual products, especially NASA lithographs (8 x 10 images with information on the back) and posters, have been cited as popular pre-engagementtools. Some educators have ready access to computers in their schools and use the online activities in the classroom, while others download material to bring to the classroom. The impact of the directory extends beyond the K-12 classroom. The directory has been included as a resource in the instructional materials provided to many teachers in training at colleges across the country. For more information about NASA’sdirectory visit the Web site at http://teachspacescience.org.
