May 1 2012
From The Space Library
RELEASE: 12-143 NASA EXPLORER SCHOOLS SYMPOSIUM SHOWCASES STUDENT RESEARCH
WASHINGTON -- Students from across the nation will gather at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston May 2-5 for the annual NASA Explorer Schools Symposium. These future leaders in science, technology, education and math, or STEM, have completed research investigations and will present their findings to a team of NASA scientists and engineers, student peers and educators. The competitively selected group consists of 60 students in grades four through 12 and 30 educators from 21 states. The group's research projects were designed to inspire interest in STEM disciplines and encourage pursuit of technical careers. The students completed an original investigation based on existing NASA missions or research programs. Participants presented their work virtually to experts at NASA centers earlier this year in regional symposia using the agency's Digital Learning Network. "NASA's mission of research and discovery is a powerful context for learning," said Greg "Box" Johnson, astronaut and associate director of external programs at the agency's Glenn Research Center in Cleveland. "Each year students amaze us with presentations that in many ways mirror the work of our scientists and engineers. This symposium offers students practical experience giving presentations in a professional setting while providing a front-row seat to NASA's careers, research and discoveries." In addition to presenting their work at the national symposium, participants also will learn more about NASA's research activities and exploration missions. Students will tour a variety of operational facilities at Johnson, including the Neutral Buoyancy Lab, a large swimming pool that plays a key role in astronaut training. The NASA Explorer Schools project offers multiple pathways for participation and requires no application process. Teacher participants must be U.S. citizens and have a valid education certification as an administrator or educator in a nationally accredited education institution within the United States or its territories, or Department of Defense or State Department schools. The program is a key part of NASA's Office of Education goals to help develop the next generation of scientists, engineers and explorers through STEM studies.
RELEASE: 12-145 NASA.GOV WINS TWO 2012 WEBBY AWARDS
WASHINGTON -- NASA's website, www.nasa.gov, has won awards in two categories as the best government site in the 16th Annual Webby Awards, the leading international honor for the world's best websites. The site received its fourth consecutive People's Voice Award, its fifth overall, in a popular vote and for the first time won the judges' Webby Award in the category. "We are honored to once again be recognized for our online communications efforts," said David Weaver, associate administrator for communications at NASA Headquarters in Washington. "On a daily basis, our extraordinary web team provides a clear and accessible view into the agency's missions and milestones, to the benefit of American taxpayers and millions who follow us around the world." Since winning the 2011 People's Voice award, the site had its busiest day ever with the launch of the final space shuttle mission in July 2011. More than 560,000 people watched the launch on NASA's webcast. The site had 18 million visits during the two-week mission, during which it distributed 1.2 billion megabytes of data. Previously, that had equaled a year's worth of information sent to the public. NASA also offers a variety of mobile apps and content for social media sites. In February, the agency released Space Race Blastoff, its first social media game, through its Facebook page. "We're always looking for new ways to convey the excitement of exploration and inspire the public the way we're inspired here," said Internet Services Manager Brian Dunbar in the Office of Communications at NASA Headquarters. "We're thrilled to again be recognized by the Webby Awards and look forward to new opportunities to engage with our audiences and tell NASA's story this year." Like last year, the agency had two sites nominated for Webbys. PlanetQuest, about the search for Earth-like planets, was nominated for Best Science Site. NASA has had a web presence since the early 1990s, but the popularity of NASA.gov skyrocketed after a 2003 redesign made it more usable and understandable for the general public. Since then, there have been more than 1.5 billion visits to the site, and its customer-satisfaction ratings are among the highest in government and comparable to popular commercial sites. The Office of Communications and the Office of the Chief Information Officer, both at NASA Headquarters, manage the agency's website. PlanetQuest is managed by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory for the Science Mission Directorate. Presented by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences, the Webby Award recognizes excellence in technology and creativity. The academy created the awards in 1996 to help drive the creative, technical, and professional progress of the Internet and evolving forms of interactive media. While members of the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences select the Webby award winners, the online community determines the winners of the People's Voice Awards.
