UX Designers and Web Architects
Designing a science-based website or educational portal that requires a logical information architecture
Use cases
About
The NASA SMD IA mind map template provides a comprehensive structural overview of the science.nasa.gov information architecture, encompassing 121 nodes of scientific data. This NASA SMD IA mind map serves as a technical cheat sheet for educators, web developers, and space enthusiasts to navigate the vast ecosystem of the Science Mission Directorate. The template is organized into primary pillars including Earth & Climate, The Solar System, and The Universe, ensuring a logical flow from planetary science to deep space exploration. It specifically details high-profile projects like the James Webb Telescope and the Voyager Program, while also mapping out foundational concepts such as the Electromagnetic Spectrum and Heliophysics. Users can leverage this NASA SMD IA template to visualize how NASA categorizes its multimedia resources, including the Scientific Visualization Studio (SVS) and Astronomy Picture of the Day (APOD).
Terms and ConditionsWhen to use this template
Science Educators and Curriculum Developers
Creating a comprehensive curriculum for astronomy or planetary science courses
Research Students and Space Journalists
Organizing research notes for a deep-dive project on NASA's historical and current space exploration efforts
How to use this template
Step 1
Import the IA structure
Download and open the .xmind file to view the full science.nasa.gov information architecture across all 121 nodes.
Step 2
Expand specific mission branches
Navigate to the Missions or The Universe branches to drill down into specific entities like the Voyager Program or Black Holes.
Step 3
Customize for your project
Modify the existing nodes or add new scientific discoveries to the Fields of Study section to keep your map current with NASA's latest data.
Frequently asked questions
This template includes a full breakdown of NASA's science website architecture, covering 121 distinct topics. It spans Earth science, planetary exploration, astrophysics, and active space missions, providing a hierarchical view of how NASA organizes its public-facing scientific data and multimedia resources.
Educators can use this as a visual syllabus to introduce students to complex topics like the Oort Cloud or the Electromagnetic Spectrum. It serves as a roadmap for lesson planning, allowing teachers to branch out from central themes into specific missions like Cassini or Curiosity.
Yes, this template is fully editable. You can add new mission nodes, update research findings in the Fields of Study section, or customize the layout to focus on specific areas like Heliophysics or Space Biology depending on your project needs.
The best way is to utilize the Missions branch, which is already categorized by specific spacecraft and rovers. You can attach notes or hyperlinks to each node, such as the James Webb Telescope, to link directly to live NASA mission updates.
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