Educational Simulation - A Database Integrated Approach for Disseminating Research Information 2004-01-2421

The Environmental Systems Commercial Space Technology Center (ES CSTC) is a commercial research center of NASA housed at University of Florida. An educational outreach program is being developed with an objective of disseminating research information generated at ES CSTC. A content management approach based on databases is used for managing research information. This approach facilitates developing a variety of materials such as Web sites and reports. An interactive and intuitive format of presenting the research information is provided utilizing educational simulations for waste management. Simulations are used as a training and educational tool in industry and academia. Immediate advantages of using a content management approach are that educational programs can be more easily produced at lower cost compared with conventional tools (e.g. PowerPoint, PDF, and Flash).