NASA on the Web: www.nasa.gov

If your idea of NASA is pocket protectors, short-sleeve white shirts, and stodgy engineers from the 1960's, you'll get a pleasant surprise from the official NASA web site, www.nasa.gov. It's full of news, features, fun and a little camp.

Like any government site, it is required to provide public information, but NASA goes a step beyond, offering up more that what is required. Whether you are a grade-school student or an adult job hunter, NASA is a smart stop on your web travels.

NASA.gov is sprinkled with references to classic science fiction in a fun way. The web designers of today are nothing like the Hollywood images of NASA from the 1960's era. The site is filled with tiny homages to science fiction and fact. The flash animation of the first international space station construction is set to The Blue Danube as a nod to Arthur C. Clarke's 2001 A Space Odyssey.

The latest addition to the site has even more recognizable references. The new flash introductions that high-speed internet users will appreciate appear randomly with each home-page load. Expect a greeting from Neil Armstrong, Leonard Nimoy, or the Lost In Space robot. Low-speed users have the option to skip the intro, but it doesn't block any of the rest of the home page, so give it time. At least this was the feature when this article was written. Like all good web sites NASA strives to keep the site fresh, so that feature may change.

Something for everyone
The "For Kids" section of NASA.gov is full of videos and activities that explain science and engineering concepts in terms appropriate for grade and middle schoolers. Some games have the added bonus of teaching younger children basic computer skills like working a mouse effectively. The star of the kid's section is the "Kids' Club." These games are presented in a console arrangement and allow the child to pick from a dozen different games at different skill levels.

There are also instructions for off-line activities such as making a Space Shuttle hot dog and building a solar-powered oven that will get adults and kids working together. Stop by before the next school science fair for a wealth of ideas or just to plan a project for a night around the kitchen table with the kids.

The "For Students" section allows you to choose grade-appropriate articles and activities from kindergarten through high school. There is also a corresponding "For Educators" section that gives teachers a resource for the same grade-appropriate material. The educator's section also contains links to tons of free material like posters and complete classroom instructions on many different topics. NASA has teamed with OfficeMax to provide printing, at a cost, if desired, but the material is otherwise free.

The "Media and Press" section is what you would expect from any large organization's web site. Audio, video, and press kits are a here and all in the public domain. The "For Researchers" section is news for those in the science community. For example video of the August 26, 2006 lightening strike of the launch pad at the Kennedy Space Flight Center is viewable here.

The "For Industry" section is one that I find the most interesting. It functions as a launch pad to many other government web sites. It is a mix of information. Some links give private companies help in teaming with NASA for research, development, and procurement.

Other links give access to some of NASA latest spin offs to share the wealth of knowledge. Want a shot at winning $250,000 dollars and getting your name in the history books? Then click the technology link and make your way to the Centennial Challenges. NASA awards thousands of dollars each year to further cutting-edge research.

The "For Employees" section isn't very useful for the general public, but there is a link entitled "Work For NASA" for those interested in a career with the Agency. Through that link, you will find NASAJOBS, the site for potential employees. NASA's recent teaming with the Office of Personnel Management's site, USAJOBS, has made applying to NASA one of the easiest Federal job applications you could ever hope to complete. Before you start, get familiar with the Federal pay-scale and grading system and read the NASA "How to apply" primer.

To ease access for the frequent visitor, sign up for MyNASA. You can link your favorite articles into one easily accessed area. If a particular topic peaks your interest, you can receive updates on developments as new material is added to the site.

NASA.gov really has something for everyone interested in science, research, or education. Visit it today with this warning; you may be there for hours reading fascinating articles, astronaut profiles, cutting-edge advances in science and engineering, and looking for that next sci-fi Easter egg.