The New NSDL Data Repository
The NSDL Data Repository (NDR) was released into production on January 18, 2007. This benchmark achievement was made possible by a team of NSDL and Fedora developers and programmers who worked together to characterize an NSDL 2.0 repository that would enable management of an emerging user-created dynamic web of context. A search for STEM resources at NSDL.org returns results from the NDR–a flexible extensible digital object repository that supports multiple views of each digital object and the relationships among digital objects.

Fedora is an example of an open source software development project that has brought a global community of developers and programmers together to create, share and distribute software improvements. Participants in open source culture “work on each others’ work” to improve software and send it back into the community. The economic utility of this cooperative approach is that the code base remains dynamic and users create lightweight solutions that meet their needs.

Improvements developed at Cornell University as part of the NSDL Data Repository project were contributed back to the Fedora open source project. Jim Blake created a Journaling system that makes sure that the NDR is available if the main repository goes down by creating mirror repositories. Aaron Birkland and Chris Wilper’s MPT Store is a new high-performance triplestore for resource indexing plug-in. Both improvements are now a part of Fedora 2.2.

The NDR is fully synchronized with the metadata repository including re-harvest processing. Work on a validation tool that checks record counts to ensure that “what goes in is that same as what’s going out,” has been significantly improved over the course of developing the new repository. In addition new production hardware has been installed to support Library production.

NEW: One Stop Sign-on to NSDL and Engineering Resources
The Engineering Pathway has implemented NSDL “Community Sign-on” making it easy for NSDL.org users to access advanced Engineering Pathway features such as “My Workspace” and “Submit Resource” with their NSDL.org logins. Engineering Pathway users can also enjoy NSDL.org features such as “Expert Voices” without the hassle of creating another account. Please visit the “engineering wing” of the NSDL at: http://www.engineeringpathway.com/.

In San Francisco? Stop in and Visit with NSDL at AAAS, Feb 15-19
http://www.aaas.org/meetings/Annual_Meeting/
Pathway partners from the Engineering Pathway, MatDL, and BEN will be showcasing NSDL resources in two workshop sessions during this years Annual Meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science:

The Power of Digital Libraries: Inquiry-Based Experiential Learning and Teaching for K-12 Educators
WHEN: Friday, Feb 16 from 2:15 pm to 3:45 PM
WHERE: Hilton San Francisco, Union Square Rooms 23-24
WHAT: How can NSDL enhance your teaching?
–Explore NSDL (NSDL.org) resources, strategies, and tools to incorporate a diverse and multi-faceted base of inquiry and experiential learning in your curriculum
–Meet resource specialists of discipline-specific Pathways through NSDL in Engineering, and Biology.

Collaborative Models of Digital Library Use and Utility for College and University Faculty
WHEN: Saturday, Feb 17 from 2:15 pm to 3:45 PM
WHERE: Hilton San Francisco, Union Square Rooms 23-24
WHAT: Explore the utility of NSDL as a collaborative portal for access to and dissemination of research results
–Learn of examples of NSDL’s capabilities in enhancing content and data management services for the purposes of use, discoverability, and effective re-use of vetted material
–Discover applications and tools that allow for easier access and functionality of research and content resources

International Impact: Shodor/CSERD Continue to Reach Out Through “Other People’s Workshops”
“Other People’s Workshops” (OPWs) applies the idea that adding CSERD computational science workshops to other organization’s events and activities effectively leverages students’ and teachers interest in science and math and by showing how computational tools can elucidate math and science concepts in many different contextual settings.

Dr. Robert Panoff, PI of the NSDL Computational Science Pathway, CSERD, has recently been testing that concept by working with students in Germany during math and science workshops offered through the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) at high schools in Heidelberg, Mannheim, Wiesbaden, Giessen, and Hanau. During “Real World” day at the schools Panoff also offered a presentation to parents, students, and teachers about NSDL exploring life after high school. DoDEA oversees schools for the children of service men and women stationed in the United States, Europe and the Pacific.

TEACHERS: Free NSDL/NSTA Web Seminar: Small Creatures Under the Microscope on Feb. 20 with the Exploratorium
Learn how to get free activities developed by educators and scientists from the Exploratorium, also available in the National Science Digital Library. This seminar will feature exhibit-based hands-on activities and digital images taken from the Exploratoirum’s Microscope Imaging Station exhibit. Get your questions answered by Exploratorium staff members Dr. Kristina Yu, a microscopist, Dr. Karen Kalumuck, a biologist and educator with the Exploratorium’s Teacher Institute, and Dr. Sherry Hsi, learning technologist. Register today!