Major Science Databases

Many of these resources are ideal starting points for a science project. 

Earth and Space Science:

NASA has a wealth of data and images, some specifically designed for use in K-12 education. Edinformatics Select!

JPL Imaging Radar -- Find out what imaging radar is, Check out the Educational Material available from Space Shuttle Missions, Use SAR (synthetic aperture radar) to study the polar regions of the earth.

NASA Earth Observatory --NASA's Observatorium is a public access site for Earth and space data. We have pictures of the Earth, planets, stars, and other cool stuff, as well as the stories behind those images. 

NSSDC Photo Gallery - Spaceborne Imaging --The Catalog of Spaceborne Imaging currently has hundreds of images of earth, planets, comets, asteroids. Fact sheets are available for images. 

PODAAC --NASA -- Physical Oceanography DAAC -- Includes Ocean Surface Topgraphy from Space -- Jason Data -- Educational Classroom Activities are available

Weather and Climate Databases:

California weather databases -- California Data Exchange Center

IRI/LDEO Climate Data Library -- The IRI/LDEO Climate Data Library from Columbia University contains over 300 datasets from a variety of earth science disciplines and climate-related topics.

National Climatic Data Center -- This is the World's Largest Arcive of Climate Data. 

Global Hydrology and Climate Center -- Interactive Global Geostationary Weather Satellite Images, from satellites around the world -- Visible, Infrared, Water Vapor data is available.

Earth/Geological Databases:

Mineral Photographs -- Mineral Information Institute (MII). Photos of minerals available by rock type (Igneous, Sedimentary and Metamorphic) -K-12 Students Activities- Free Download and use by Students and Teachers

US Geological Survey Data Center -- This is a leading source of land information for exploring our changing planet. 

Forest Conservation Archives & Portal -- Search over 3,000 reviewed forest conservation sites

Maps (of World) -- This database from the University of Texas, Austin contains general interest maps as well as many excellent historical world maps

Global Landforms Database 3-D maps of US Landforms, many free images are available. Original site containing free data is still available at Color Landform Atlas of the US from Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory.

Oceanography

NOAA-Photo Collection --The NOAA Undersea Research Program, which operates the nation's only manned underwater observatory. To date, over 16,000 images have been digitized and reside in the online NOAA Photo Library.

Planetary and Space:

Hubble Space Telescope Gallery -- View an expansive collection of Hubble Images including planets, stars, nebulae, and galaxies.

Solar Center at Stanford -- This is your best resource if you wish to look at the current Sun. Excellent resources for students and teachers.

Biological/Life Sciences: 

Visible Human Project: 

The Visible Human Project:The aim of the project is to provide a digital image data set of a complete human male and female cadaver in MRI, CT and anatomical modes. Getting the Data -- Examples of how data is being used 

The Human Genome Project

An international collaboration in support of the Human Genome Project-- All About the Human Genome Project 

Genomes General Databases

Genome -- This resource organizes information on genomes including sequences, maps, chromosomes, assemblies, and annotations.

Zoological and Botanical

Fish Databases --The Fish Information Service, or FINS, is a free information service about topics of interest to the aquarium hobbyist.

Animal information databases 

Chemical Sciences

K-12 Molecular Libraries

MathMol A large selection of 3-D molecular structures found in K-12 biology and chemistry textbooks. Files are in pdb and vrml formats.Edinformatics Select!

PDB Repository -- The single international repository for the processing and distribution of 3-D macromolecular structure. Over 10,000 protein structures now available. 

FNIC (Food and Nutrition) Databases 

Food and Nutrition Databases at US Department of Agriculture -- consumer and food worker educational materials, Scientific literature on dietary supplements, vitamins, minerals, and botanicals.

National Agricultural Library - NAL Catalog Includes books, serials, audiovisuals, and other resources. Article Citation Database Includes journal articles, book chapters, short reports, and reprints.