Roberta Johnson ( University of Michigan, Space Physics Research Lab)
Reference URL: http://www.windows.umich.edu
Windows to the Universe is a World Wide Web site that presents information about the Earth and space sciences as well as related historical and cultural topics to the general public in an attractive and user-friendly way. The site makes extensive use of graphically annotated button panels to allow intuitive navigation through the site. The site is graphics intensive, providing access to a rich archive of images, movies, animations, and data collected by satellites, spacecraft, and ground-based instruments. Intended primarily as an innovative information resource for museums, libraries, and classrooms, content within Windows to the Universe is developed to meet K-12 science education needs. Content within the site is developed at three levels of sophistication to approximate student reading ability at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. A supplementary CD-ROM has been developed to allow users to download most non-updating images on the site directly from their local CD, rather than over the Internet, thereby allowing more rapid navigation of the site. Curriculum resources are available on the site for teachers and students. Special sections of the site have been developed to highlight Space Weather, and the site is being used to provide outreach content for the Ulysses SWICS and ACE SWICS/SWIMS instruments. The site has received over 20 web awards, and is currently receiving over 2 million hits per month from users all over the world.