abstract
NASA creates and maintains a wealth of space science information for the
education community. These resources are sometimes difficult to locate
due to the comprehensiveness of the NASA organization and the volume of
material it generates. To facilitate the search for space science resources
the SouthEast Regional ClearingHouse (SERCH) developed a MapObjects IMS
application, SERCH US (http://serch.cofc.edu/isa/serch/phase1.htm).
SERCH saw the need to organize, compile, and map certain data sets that
would help teachers and others in the education community to quickly find
valuable information. The current IMS application allows the user to enter
a zip code, zoom into the designated area, display numerous data layers,
identify geographic points of interest, and to obtain detailed resource
and contact information. This paper discusses the development and implementation
of SERCH's resource locator tool, data management issues, user-friendly
interface design, and future plans for development (image).
SERCH developed the resource locator tool (image) in order to meet several objectives:
1) To obtain a spatial view of how current space science resources are distributed nationwide.
2) To assist in the management of valuable NASA data and information.
3) To facilitate the process of locating and providing space science resources.
4) To make the resource attribute information accessible to everyone via the Internet.
The SERCH US resource locator tool began as an ArcView 3.0 project. In its original format, the project provided a spatial distribution of space science resources in the southeast region of the United States. The ArcView project provided a means for SERCH to manage resource contact information and to quickly disseminate the information. For example, educators call SERCH to find out how they can contact their local NASA Space Grant representative. The ArcView-based resource locator tool was used to obtain the Space Grant contact and other useful information such as closest NASA Education Resource Centers.
SERCH recognized that the resource locator tool would be more valuable if it were accessible to all and if it provided nationwide space science resource information. In order to find a solution that would allow global access to our data, we teamed up with Esri Charlotte. Esri quickly helped make our data available over the Internet by applying the ArcView Internet Map Server (IMS) application. The ArcView IMS application helped solve our distribution, but it did not yet provide a fully intuitive and customizable project. Hence, Esri introduced us to the Map Objects IMS package. After several training sessions with Esri, we developed the SERCH US resource locator tool. Currently, our Map Objects IMS V2.0 application serves NASA space science resource information for the entire nation. The application is housed by the College of Charleston, Charleston, SC and is available from the SERCH website at serch.cofc.edu/serch/ (image).
The application is designed to provide spatial and attribute information to the general public and to specific user groups such as educators, and scientists. Our Map Objects IMS application allows the user to map the following space science resources:
· NASA Education Resource
Centers (ERCs)
· NASA sponsored fairs
· NASA Centers
· NASA Education Division Computer Aided Tracking System (EDCATS) data
· NASA Space Grant locations
· Challenger Center locations
· Math and Science Initiatives
· Centers for Education and Public Outreach
· Space science museums
Each space science resource "layer" maintains a wealth of associated attribute data that is available to the user. For example, the NASA Education Resource Center layer contains an attribute table that provides the contact center name, physical address, phone number, fax number, and web address (example of a Space Grant attribute table). In addition to space science resources, the SERCH US application also utilizes supplemental spatial data, including nationwide state boundaries, county boundaries, and nationwide congressional district boundaries.
Hardware / Software Specifications:
· Dell PowerEdge 4300
· Windows NT Server 4.0 Operating System
· Microsoft Internet Information Server (IIS) 4.0 Management Software
· ArcView V3.2
· Microsoft Visual Basic V5.0
· ArcExplorer V1.1
· Map Objects Internet Starter Application V2.0
Data Generation:
The data layers for our resource locator tool are generated in ArcView V3.2. As shapefiles (*.shp), the resource layers are brought into ArcExplorer V1.1 where the layering order and symbology is determined. The data is then saved as an ArcExplorer project file (*.aep file). The ArcExplorer project file is then opened using the Map Objects Internet Starter Application program. Once the ArcExplorer project file is loaded, the Map Objects Internet Starter Application allows the developer to configure the final look of the project that will be served. After configuration is complete, the project is then saved as an Internet Starter Application file (*.isa file). The ISA project file is then run through an executable program called MoISA.exe that prepares the project to be served over the Internet.
Data Issues:
Two problematic data issues surfaced during the data generation stage of the SERCH US resource locator tool. The first issue involved one-to-many relationships. For example, several NASA workshops were held within the same city zip code. Upon geocoding the workshop data by zip code to obtain a coordinate pair, only the first record of a set (a set of workshops sharing the same zip code) would be taken into the attribute table of the ArcView shapefile. With some data layers, significant portions of data would be eliminated during this geocoding process. There proved to be no immediate solution to the one-to-many problem given our current Map Objects IMS application. Future considerations include a database design that would allow numerous records to be retrieved from a shared XY coordinate within the same data layer. SERCH is currently working to integrate this solution.
The second problematic data issue involved data quality. In working with space science resource data, we found an absence of zip code and physical street address information. Numerous data sets only included city and state names. We also found that many school and business locations could not be georeferenced because the mailing addresses were p.o. boxes rather than physical street addresses. Measures are currently being taken to ensure that proper zip code information and street address information is being included with any new data that is added to the NASA data system.
Interface Issues:
The SERCH US resource locator interface contains seven windows that are divided up among frames coded in HTML. The number of frames is not an issue for users that have monitors with a viewable area of 17" or greater. On monitors smaller than 17", the frames of the application begin to overlap, require scrolling, and become confusing. Since our locator tool is to be used by the general public and by educators, it is important that we design our user interface to match the lowest common denominator. Therefore, future design changes will provide for a more conducive interface layout that will satisfy the technology level of the general public and educators. The overall layout provides a simple interface for all users. The SERCH US tool allows the user to zoom in and out, identify resources of interest, turn resource layers on or off, and enter their zip code for a quick zoom to the particular area (example of interface after entering zip code). Should the user need help, we provided a Help Tool to guide them through the interface and use of the application.
The delivery speed of the application is very reasonable. Because map and data retrieval is so quick, the user tends to continue using the tool without becoming frustrated or losing interest. Future designs and system upgrades will ultimately increase the speed of data retrieval to the point where it will never surface as an issue of concern.
Did the SERCH US resource locator tool meet the objectives that were initially established?
Objective 1: To obtain a spatial view of how current space science resources are distributed nationwide.
Yes, the implementation of the current tool allows SERCH, NASA, and the public to obtain a spatial view of space science resource distribution. We are able to generate point locations for space science resources by using zip codes, city names, and physical street addresses. These data sets are gereferenced to existing Esri shapefiles in order to provide XY coordinates for the space science resources.
Objective 2: To assist in the management of valuable NASA data and information.
Yes, SERCH has demonstrated that NASA data may be managed, organized, and used in a geographic information system. We imported a variety of data formats, generated ArcView compatible database files with NASA data, and included them as attribute tables in our Map Objects IMS application.
Objective 3: To facilitate the process of locating and providing space science resources.
SERCH has facilitated the process of locating space science resources but we want to further enhance our application. SERCH is currently working on a new application that will be more user-friendly and faster than the previous locator tool. By simplifying the current interface and eliminating some of the existing HTML frames, we will greatly improve our product and facilitate its delivery.
Objective 4: To make the resource attribute information accessible to everyone via the Internet.
Yes, the entire application can be found at http://serch.cofc.edu/isa/serch/phase1.htm. The SERCH US resource locator tool can be accessed by any interested party via a standard Internet browser. All attribute data associated with each space science resource layer can be viewed, downloaded, and printed.
SERCH intends to have a beta version of our new application completed by the end of the summer. The current project is being converted to ArcIMS in an effort to combine data from two enterprises of NASA - Code Y (earth science) and Code S (space science). Data coming from Code Y and Code S will be structured and managed in Cold Fusion. The finished project should greatly enhance the value of the resource locator tool by adding speed, simplicity, and more sophisticated query ability (example of temporary web site interface).
During this process SERCH has also made a strong effort to collaborate with partners and other NASA-affiliated entities. For example, the list of collaborators already includes; Esri, NASA-HQ, NASA-JPL, NASA-GSFC, NASA-SSC, the UMBC EarthLab, the UCSB Remote Sensing Research Unit, and Mississippi State University. SERCH intends to continue this commitment to including other users and affiliates in the development process.
SERCH has three general phases planned for this application, with each phase targeting a different user group. The Phase 1 portion of the application was designed to provide access for educators, outreach personnel, and the general public. Phase 2 will be designed to facilitate NASA program support and the user focus will shift to NASA program managers. Finally, Phase 3 will focus on science and mission applications, and the user group will be NASA PIs and Congressional Staff. In general, during these three phases the design/data will become more sophisticated and detailed while the delivery/interface become more efficient and easier to use.
Esri Charlotte: Paul Gallimore
Esri DC: CJ Cote, Dennis Smith, Frank Xia
Craig Anthony
Web Developer / GIS Technician
SouthEast Regional ClearingHouse
anthonym@cofc.edu
Cassandra Coombs
Professor of Geology / SERCH Director
SouthEast Regional ClearingHouse
coombsc@cofc.edu
Samuel Walker
Manager / UMBC EarthLab
UMBC Department of Environmental Engineering
swalke2@hotmail.com