M: David Curtis on CosmicWeb Portal into Cosmology ----------------------------
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M: 1. Project description (one or two sentence description)
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M: CosmicWeb, a experimental, web-based educational resource that adapts novel
M: data visualization tools being pioneered by the Cosmology AT team (as part
M: of their Simulated X-ray Cluster Digital Archive project) to support
M: engaged learning about the evolution of large-scale structure in the
M: universe. 
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M: 2. PACI relevance of the project (how it relates to PACI goals/strategies)
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M: CosmicWeb is intimately linked to the Archive Project, which demonstrates
M: components required for "post web computing environments."  Tools written in 
M: Java will support structured student queries to and interactive displays (1-, 2- & 3-D) of simulated and
M: observational datasets. In turn, design, prototyping & evaluation of
M: user-friendly interfaces for non-specialists will provide valuable data
M: with which to enhance the Archive's useability for high-end research.
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M: 3. Potential audience or user base
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M: First and second year u/grads (primarily non-science majors taking
M: introductory astronomy courses). 
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M: 4. Partnership links both internal (AT/ET/EOT) and external; can include
M: potential "targets of opportunity" for partnership. 
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M: Current Cosmology AT team partners; EOT partners focusing on undergraduate
M: education, including Boston Univ., CIC insitutions and PACS. Potential
M: links: Remote Instrumentation/Radiosynthesis/Digital Image Library project;
M: Habanero team (to embed java tools into Habanero framework).
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M: 5. Diversity and universal access issues
M: Focus groups will be formed to ensure that design of interfaces and
M: supporting explanatory materials address a range of learning styles and
M: student backgrounds. See also 6. 
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M: 6. Barriers (with technology or other areas)
M: Large size of simulation datasets pose a challenge for web-serving. Current
M: design specifications being reviewed for broad educational access.
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M: 7. Status of project (i.e. planning, development, production)
M: In planning and design stage. Completion of prototype slated for 9/30/99.
M: Evaluation during 1Q00 (Federal).
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M: 8. Dissemination avenues - contributions to the literature (i.e. reviewed
M: journals, conference presentations, etc.)
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M: Integrate or link materials from two existing web sites http://sca.ncsa.uiuc.edu/
M: http://www.ncsa.uiuc.edu/Cyberia/Cosmos/CosmosCompHome.html into single portal. 
M: Preliminary evaluation during the fall semester '99. Findings to be published on the web. 
M: Supercomputing '99: submissions for paper & poster presentations and workshop are being considered. 
M: