Uses of National Atmospheric Deposition Program/National Trends Network data for science education and environmental problem solving, November 27, 1995 to February 10, 1997

Abstract

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is the lead agency for the monitoring of atmospheric deposition in the United States. The USGS supports 77 of the 191 sites in the National Atmospheric Deposition Program/National Trends Network (NADP/NTN) and provides nearly one-half of the network operating budget. In late 1995, NADP/NTN data were made available on the Internet at http://nadp.nrel.colostate.edu/NADP/. Four hundred ninety six uses of data were identified as supporting science education. Students ranging from the fourth grade through Ph.D. candidates utilized the NADP/NTN data to analyze environmental data and its application in science education. For this group, the NADP/NTN data provide a readily available source of finalized, quality assured, and summarized on-line information for use in science education projects and assignments. Because of the national scope of the network, educators and students can easily locate data from sites near their community. In addition to educational applications, 565 uses of data were identified as supporting environmental problem solving. This includes uses for industry, environmental organizations, government agencies at the Federal, State and local level, university researchers, and international organizations. For this group, the NADP/NTN data represent an essential source of environmental data that supports work on air and water quality issues, environmental regulation, materials effects, research, global change, agriculture, and hundreds of other significant applications.