Athena
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Track drifter buoys in the world's oceans. Forecast today's space weather. Investigate tropical storms viewed from space.
Designed to enhance K-12 science curricula and employ the Web as a learning tool, Athena's classroom projects require active participation as students learn and as sections like "Teacher Talk" aid teachers in the classroom. Using the Web, students access remotely sensed or real-time data in four different categories: Space, Weather, Earth, and Oceans.
Athena is a partnership of educators and scientists working together to create materials that are tested in classrooms everywhere. Its lessons are designed to improve scientific literacy and generate lifelong interest in science. In short, Athena is a living project ready for teachers and students to add new lessons that will suit their individual needs.
Athena engages students in observing phenomena using remotely-sensed data to construct knowledge about the world. Data sets and instructional pieces are related to oceans, the atmosphere, Earth resources, and space/astronomy. Real-time data is used where possible. The material is intended for direct use by students, with appropriate assistance from teachers.
The Web site's materials include data sets with appropriate explanations, student activities, and teacher background information delivered to classrooms via the Internet. Project staff train teachers and provide support for 18 pilot sites in Seattle-area classrooms. Athena supports the pilot classes with onsite visits and e-mail, solicits feedback, and offers writing materials developed in light of the classroom experience.
Athena makes scientific data accessible to students in an understandable form by involving educators in planning, writing, and piloting the material in classrooms. It provides a template for lessons and a model for collaboration between schools, business, and the government.
Curator: Randolph Kim
Responsible NASA Official: Mark
Leon
Last Updated: 07/02/2002
