NSSDC Teacher Resources


The National Space Science Data Center (NSSDC) has had the duty of data archiving and dissemination for the NASA missions for the past 25 years. In a lessor known capacity, however, they have also played an important role in the dissemination of information to educators from elementary through high school levels. To this end, they have set up a series of Teacher Resource Centers at NASA Centers throughout the country. Upon written request from educators (on their school/university stationary) the centers will send free printed materials, and will provide videos and slides for users who submit blank media (videos/film). The teacher resources network is divided into 3 brahcnes: The Teacher Resource Centers, the Regional Teacher Resource Centers and the Central Operation Resource Centers. The Teacher Resource Centers (listed below) provide a variety of educational materials. These are partnerships of NASA with universities and museums that serve as the regional centers where teachers can look at NASA materials. The Central Operations of Resources for Educators (CORE) is designed for the national and international distribution of aerospace education materials to enhance the NASA resource network. The materials available include audiovisual and curriculum materials. CORE will process teacher requests by mail for a minimal fee. For a catalog and order form write to Ms. Tina Sayler, NASA CORE, Lorain County Joint Vocational School, 15181 Route 58 South, Oberlin, OH 44074, (216) 774-1051, x293 or x294.

Teacher Resource Centers

NASA Ames Research Center (serves Hawaii)
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory
NASA Kennedy Space Center
NASA Johnson Space Center
NASA Langley Teacher Resource Center
NASA Lewis Reserach Center
NASA Stennis Space Center
U.S. Space and Rocket Center
The NSSDC will also provide CD-ROMS of data from most of the NASA Missions to scientists and educators for a fee (which ranges from $20 to over $400). Although much of the data is intended for research use, the images themselves may be very useful in the classroom. A free copy of the complete 29 page catalog may be obtained by calling the NSSDC at (310) 286-6695 (phone) or (301) 286-4952 (fax). In addition to the NASA Mission data, the catalog lists sources for the Earth climate and atmospheric data (e.g. ozone, carbon dioxide concentrations etc.) which are not archived by the NSSDC. NSSDC data is available from the following missions:

NASA Educational Programs and Services

In addition to the NSSDC centers, NASA provides educational programs and services to public, private and parochial schools. Services include school presentations, films and publications, as well as center visits. Write to the address below for a free "Teacher's Kit" which includes a variety of NASA educational materials.
NASA Public Information Office:

For more information on NASA Space Programs and planetary missions: For information on unmanned missions (e.g. Viking, Voyager, etc.)
NASA Films and videos:

NASA has many films and videos available for loan at no cost (except for postage and insurance). To request the Johnson Film / Video Catalog: NASA Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center Public Information Branch / AP3 Film / Video Distribution Library Houston, TX 77058. The list of available materials is too long to reproduce for everyone, but films and videos cover topics from space missions, to history of NASA, to building the space station, to astronomy and astrophysics, searches for life elsewhere, aviation, Earth science, weather & climate, space shuttle, skylab, careers in space etc. Having previewed some, most are fine for the high school level, although a bit dated.

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Last modified: September 1, 1996