The University Record, September 3, 1996

Open the window

Start with the natural curiosity K-12 students have about planets, stars, comets and space. Add information on artistic and historical connections between science and the human experience. Merge with full-color graphics, movies, animation and text geared to three different user levels---beginner, intermediate and advanced. The result is "Windows to the Universe," a new World Wide Web site being developed at the Space Physics Research Laboratory with funding by NASA.

Designed for use in science museums, libraries and the classroom, "Windows to the Universe" gives users access to more than 2,000 images from NASA satellites and spacecraft and observatories worldwide. "Windows" includes information on astrophysics and astronomy, solar and space physics, planetary and lunar science, mythology, art, music, literature and philosophy---all linked in a series of easy-to-use graphic interfaces.

A team of scientists, museum and library specialists, artists, computer programmers, and K-12 educators are designing the site and selecting content information to ensure that "Windows to the Universe" will be a useful educational tool. The prototype version went on-line in March 1996 and is currently being evaluated at the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum. Version 2.0 will be available in October.

The World Wide Web site address is http://www.windows.umich.edu/.