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Desiray Wilson

Publications and source records attributed to Desiray Wilson.

2 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
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Visualizing Geospatial Data through ESRI Story Maps for Earth Science Education: Lessons Learned from My NASA Data

For 20 years My NASA Data (MND) has curated NASA Earth science data and provided the data to educators in engaging learner-centered resources. MND has recently featured story maps as an innovative way to engage students in NASA Earth data. A story map is a cloud-based lesson that engages the learner in interactive geospatial maps using NASA data, and other multimedia content, text, and tasks that can be seamlessly incorporated in classroom instruction. This immersive technology eliminates the need for the user to move among tricky interfaces to access and visualize Earth science data, and no special software is required to be downloaded. Each story map integrates data from different NASA satellite missions, retrieved from Distributed Active Archive Centers (DAACs). Story maps also employ data analysis tools, such as time series options and swipe tools that allow learners to view and analyze relationships between scientific variables. MND has produced 25 story map lesson plans on the topics of air quality, the urban heat island effect, Earth’s energy budget, phytoplankton distribution, hurricane formation, solar eclipses, ocean circulation patterns, sea ice extent, and volcanic eruptions. Nine of them are extended story maps and written in the 5E format, which is internationally recognized as best practice based on how children learn science. Each story map resource is developed by the MND team featuring a GIS programming specialist, a lead scientist, and educational specialist/s to ensure the context, content, and methods are scientifically and educationally sound. The MND story maps are written for middle and high school science teachers and students as they connect with the Earth Systems Science phenomena featured in the Next Generation Science Standards. Each story map includes supporting resources for smooth integration in the classroom. During Fiscal Year 2023, The My NASA Data website received over 100,000 story map engagements during. These metrics highlight the interest in story maps as an Earth Science educational resource.

Desiray Wilson↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Increasing Discovery and Usability of Earth Science Satellite Data with My NASA Data

For 20 years, the My NASA Data project at NASA Langley Research Center has developed innovative approaches to increase the use of NASA’s satellite data by learners. My NASA Data offers a variety of authentic Earth Science datasets and a data visualization tool, eliminating the need for educators and/or learners to obtain specialized knowledge of GIS data formats and software to access and use authentic Earth Science data. While there is no shortage of available data, as federal government agencies such as NASA house petabytes of freely accessible Earth Science datasets, much of the data are only available for download and visualization in specialized formats and software, limiting their accessibility to educators and learners, especially those in primary and secondary school. Using the Google Earth Engine platform, the My NASA Data team has recently reinvented their data visualization tool, called the Earth System Data Explorer (ESDE). The ESDE gives users the capability to explore over 60 Earth Science satellite datasets in a multitude of formats such as maps, graphs, and data table Its new and improved user interface design was developed based on the preferences of educators, whom the My NASA Data project has over 20 years’ experience working with. Earth Science and GIS Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) structured the data in a professional and scientific manner. During Fiscal Year 2023, the My NASA Data website received over 1 million digital engagements, with over one-third being visitors to the data visualization tool. These metrics highlight the interest in a visualization tool that is simple and free to use with reliable and trusted datasets. The ESDE empowers users to readily relate and analyze NASA Earth Science data within their area of interest. The team used a user-centered design (UCD) framework to receive and incorporate feedback into the application’s design. Core requested features include the ability to create time series graphs, comparative analysis of maps, and download the data as CSV file. Responses indicate that advances in data visualization tools such as the ESDE make authentic Earth Science data more accessible. This presentation will cover how the My NASA Data project develops tools to enhance data discovery and accessibility, as well as how SME and user suggestions are incorporated.

Desiray Wilson↗