Quest plans to expand its content areas to include NASA’s Astrobiology Program. Quest will add new content based on the Earth Science enterprise and significant crosscutting R&D such as Information Technology.

Webcast Technology:
NASA Quest brings NASA people and missions into the classroom via live webcasts. Some of the most popular webcasts include broadcast of shuttle launches, in which experts explain all aspects of the launch to teachers and students, tours of the International Space Station components and other NASA facilities, and demonstrations and discussions with NASA scientists and engineers. Webcasts utilize streaming media technology, where video/audio input is delivered to users via the use of Real Media software. Live feeds can be received from various sources. These are converted into signal for encoding and live streaming. While the source is being streamed live, it is also simultaneously archived and stored on the Quest web server. Archived webcasts are a valuable service to Quest users who cannot view the live events at the time that they occur.

The use of the streaming services is simple and free to the recipient.  It requires that the user download the Real Media player from the company’s web site, and instructions for doing so are provided to users on the Quest web site. Once the user has loaded the Real Media player on their computer, they may access live events via a link on the Quest web site.

Other LTC Services:
NASA Quest also offers several live chats and forums every week. Chats are also freely available to the user, and no downloading of software is necessary. NASA Quest currently utilizes custom software for live chats, where users type questions via a separate window in the Quest web site, and experts answer the questions in real time. Quest chats are also archived and available to educators as a static resource.

Incorporating Multimedia into the Quest web site:
Quest will be researching, developing and integrating a variety of software applications.

The most important contribution Quest makes to supporting the overall LT Program objectives is as a prime dissemination mechanism for educational products and services. As one of NASA’s most popular web sites, Quest is accessed between two and three million times each month — providing significant visibility to LT projects. The Quest staff has established a strong and active rapport with the education community over the years by offering a robust set of internet-based educational services, including live events with NASA professionals via chats, forums and webcasts, biographies, field journals, Q&A services and discussion lists

NASA Quest is dedicated to bringing NASA people and science to classrooms through the Internet: Space Team Online, Aerospace Team Online, Solar System Online, and Deep Space Online. NASA Quest is the ultimate resource for educators and kids interested in meeting and learning about NASA people and space science. These NASA Quest projects allow students to share in the excitement of NASA's authentic scientific and engineering pursuits like flying the shuttle and International Space Station, exploring distant planets with amazing spacecraft, and aeronautics/airplane research. The focus of these projects is the enthusiastic people of NASA; we hope students will finish the project feeling like they've met these interesting folks through chats, e-mail Q&A and live webcasts (audio/video programs).

System Requirements: Web Browser and Internet connection

Access: http://quest.arc.nasa.gov