Public Science Day 2000

"The Science of Everyday Things"

The Unisys Prize - Online Science Education

Unisys, in partnership with the American Association for the Advancement of Science and The Franklin Institute, is pleased to announce the first recipient of The Unisys Prize for achievement in Online Science Education.

The University Corporation for Atmospheric Research and its partner, Science Discovery, have distinguished themselves in the online educational community by producing "Web Weather for Kids," an innovative new resource that represents their collaboration with Casey Middle School in Boulder, Colorado. "Web Weather for Kids" makes a lasting contribution to the body of existing online weather education resources. It provides a new model for collaboration between science centers and schools, and a fresh perspective on how the web can be a workbench for innovative science inquiry and community partnerships.

Last week, a panel of judges met to review the fifteen webspaces that were under consideration for The Unisys Prize. The panel consisted of one practicing classroom educator, one science museum professional, one science education professional, and one educational technology professional. The panel unanimously selected "Web Weather for Kids" as the first recipient of The Unisys Prize. The panel also recognized three other webspaces for distinction.

Runner-Up: "Fond of Ponds" - A project of the Austin Nature and Science Center in partnership with Timy Baranoff Elementary School.

Honorable Mention: "Everyday Science through Nature" - The Chicago Academy of Sciences in partnership with Josefa Ortiz de Dominguez Elementary School.

Honorable Mention: "Inventions" - The Miami Museum of Science in partnership with Avocado, Pine Lake, and Redland Elementary Schools.

All fifteen sites represent good strong contributions to the ongoing exploration of how the web can support educators as they attempt to reconceive how they teach science.

For additional information about the prize program, browse the National Public Science Day 2000 website.