Andrew Yee[_1_]
August 12th 08, 05:19 PM
ESA News
http://www.esa.int
22 July 2008
Explore space with Disney/Pixar's WALL-E (and Friends)
To mark the European launch of WALL-E, Disney/Pixar's exciting smash hit
movie, ESA is launching a new website which highlights the multitude of
educational resources and fun activities that are available on the Agency's
Internet pages.
In the blockbuster movie, a lonely little robot named WALL-E develops a deep
curiosity that eventually inspires it to set off on a fantastic voyage
across the galaxy in search of a probe-droid called EVE.
As is often the case, science fiction is some years ahead of science fact.
Although ESA is currently developing "semi-intelligent" robots that can
explore other planets and assist astronauts in space, relatively few
Europeans have so far been lucky enough to leave planet Earth.
Fortunately, there are much easier ways for people -- young and old -- to
follow in WALL-E's footsteps. In order to explore space from the comfort of
your own home or classroom, all you have to do is log onto the WALL-E portal
to enter a world of fascinating facts, animations, pop-ups, educational
DVDs, DIY experiments, games, competitions and puzzles.
"As an extension to its existing outreach activities, ESA has developed this
website in collaboration with Disney/Pixar," said Francesco Emma, Head of
ESA's Education Office. "We see this as an exciting new way to introduce
young people to the wonders of space exploration."
On the WALL-E web site, the robotic characters are on hand as guides to ESA
missions and educational material that can be linked to the movie. The
content is organised under 4 themes: Our Place in the Universe, Caring for
the Earth, Life in Space, and Exploration and Robotics.
Each of these themes can be used to find educational information that will
be of value for teachers, learn about the Universe, our planet, Astronauts
and Robots and link to the ESA Kids website, where you can find material
that will inspire and entertain everyone who is young at heart.
Our Place in the Universe
Through ESA's WALL-E web site you can find out about the wonders of the
Universe, as well as exciting missions such as SOHO, which stares
continuously at the Sun, and the Huygens probe which made an historic
landing on Saturn's giant moon, Titan.
Caring for the Earth
By clicking on the Media Gallery you can admire images of the beautiful blue
Earth and learn about remote sensing from space. The site also helps you to
find out about ESA's satellites, including Envisat, the largest Earth
observation satellite ever launched, the Earth Explorer missions and the
Meteosats which monitor our changing weather.
Life in Space
The WALL-E portal provides links to the ISS Education Kit for primary (8-10
year-olds) and secondary schools (12-14 year-olds) and various web lessons
on line. You can also learn how to survive in space, and find out about
ESA's Columbus laboratory and the Automated Transfer Vehicle which is now
delivering tonnes of supplies to the ISS.
Exploration and Robotics
Like WALL-E, humans have always been driven by curiosity to discover more
about our world and the Universe that surrounds us. Today, the exploration
of space remains one of the most stimulating and exciting areas of
scientific research. Visit the WALL-E portal to find out about ESA's Aurora
programme of Solar System exploration, the Lunar Robotic Challenge, the
ExoMars rover and the search for life on other planets.
[NOTE: Images and weblinks supporting this release are available at
http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEM8D1XIPIF_index_1.html ]
http://www.esa.int
22 July 2008
Explore space with Disney/Pixar's WALL-E (and Friends)
To mark the European launch of WALL-E, Disney/Pixar's exciting smash hit
movie, ESA is launching a new website which highlights the multitude of
educational resources and fun activities that are available on the Agency's
Internet pages.
In the blockbuster movie, a lonely little robot named WALL-E develops a deep
curiosity that eventually inspires it to set off on a fantastic voyage
across the galaxy in search of a probe-droid called EVE.
As is often the case, science fiction is some years ahead of science fact.
Although ESA is currently developing "semi-intelligent" robots that can
explore other planets and assist astronauts in space, relatively few
Europeans have so far been lucky enough to leave planet Earth.
Fortunately, there are much easier ways for people -- young and old -- to
follow in WALL-E's footsteps. In order to explore space from the comfort of
your own home or classroom, all you have to do is log onto the WALL-E portal
to enter a world of fascinating facts, animations, pop-ups, educational
DVDs, DIY experiments, games, competitions and puzzles.
"As an extension to its existing outreach activities, ESA has developed this
website in collaboration with Disney/Pixar," said Francesco Emma, Head of
ESA's Education Office. "We see this as an exciting new way to introduce
young people to the wonders of space exploration."
On the WALL-E web site, the robotic characters are on hand as guides to ESA
missions and educational material that can be linked to the movie. The
content is organised under 4 themes: Our Place in the Universe, Caring for
the Earth, Life in Space, and Exploration and Robotics.
Each of these themes can be used to find educational information that will
be of value for teachers, learn about the Universe, our planet, Astronauts
and Robots and link to the ESA Kids website, where you can find material
that will inspire and entertain everyone who is young at heart.
Our Place in the Universe
Through ESA's WALL-E web site you can find out about the wonders of the
Universe, as well as exciting missions such as SOHO, which stares
continuously at the Sun, and the Huygens probe which made an historic
landing on Saturn's giant moon, Titan.
Caring for the Earth
By clicking on the Media Gallery you can admire images of the beautiful blue
Earth and learn about remote sensing from space. The site also helps you to
find out about ESA's satellites, including Envisat, the largest Earth
observation satellite ever launched, the Earth Explorer missions and the
Meteosats which monitor our changing weather.
Life in Space
The WALL-E portal provides links to the ISS Education Kit for primary (8-10
year-olds) and secondary schools (12-14 year-olds) and various web lessons
on line. You can also learn how to survive in space, and find out about
ESA's Columbus laboratory and the Automated Transfer Vehicle which is now
delivering tonnes of supplies to the ISS.
Exploration and Robotics
Like WALL-E, humans have always been driven by curiosity to discover more
about our world and the Universe that surrounds us. Today, the exploration
of space remains one of the most stimulating and exciting areas of
scientific research. Visit the WALL-E portal to find out about ESA's Aurora
programme of Solar System exploration, the Lunar Robotic Challenge, the
ExoMars rover and the search for life on other planets.
[NOTE: Images and weblinks supporting this release are available at
http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEM8D1XIPIF_index_1.html ]