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NASA “Why?” Files web site wins excellence
award
NASA Langley Research Center’s "Why?" Files web site is the
winner of a 2001 publication excellence grand award. Why you
ask?
Awards for Publication Excellence (APEX) judges answer:
NASA’s "Why?" Files web site http://whyfiles.larc.nasa.gov
incorporates "lively action graphics." "Small, easily readable copy
chunks are perfect for the Web." "Well organized, designed and
edited site." "Superb example of a site designed for a specific
audience." "Takes full advantage of Flash – everything is
visual…every click an exploration and adventure." Amid more
than 5,100 entries in the Thirteenth Annual Awards competition,
this is high praise.
APEX Grand Awards honor outstanding work in 11 categories, each
exhibiting excellence in graphic design, editorial content, and the
ability to achieve overall communications excellence.
The NASA "Why?" Files web site is based on an annual series of
four 60-minute televised broadcast programs designed to enhance the
teaching and integration of mathematics, science, and technology in
grades 3-5. Each broadcast is accompanied by a resource-rich
educator guide. The series, produced by NASA Langley’s Office
of Education, uses problem-based learning to introduce students to
scientific inquiry and the scientific method.
"Why?" Files’ story lines are developed by educators in
accordance with national standards and are based on the exploits of
six ethnically diverse, inquisitive students. These "tree house
detectives" meet before and after school to help solve mysteries
using NASA programs, projects and facilities under the mentorship
of NASA researchers.
"Receiving the APEX award is a testimony to the quality of the
work being done at NASA Langley," says Jeff Seaton, who leads the
web team. "It means a lot to have an external organization tell us
we are creating an excellent product." Seaton is an electrical
engineer in Langley’s Aerospace Systems, Concepts and Analysis
Competency.
The web site is produced by NASA Langley’s Learning
Technologies Project in cooperation with Christopher Newport
University and is funded by NASA’s LEARNER’s Cooperative
Agreement. Web team members include Seaton; Heidi Boyette, Virginia
Beach City Schools; Cory Gilbert and Bernie Freeman, both from
Christopher Newport University; John Evans, Langley’s
Information Systems Branch; Larry Merrill, Langley’s Library
and Media Services Branch; and Steve Campbell, NCI Information
Systems.
Entering its second season in the fall of 2001, the program
currently has over 140,000 registered educators representing over
3.3 million students. Programs are available via satellite, public
broadcasting stations, NASA CORE, and NASA’s learning
technologies channel. For more information visit the NASA "Why?"
Files at http://whyfiles.larc.nasa.gov
or the web site for NASA Langley’s Office of Education at
http://edu.larc.nasa.gov.
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