Second Life includes NASA, CDC, now NOAA

I guess I’ve not been keeping up. I know lots of companies have a presence in Second Life, but I was not aware the U.S. governement was spending energy to be there. The National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Agency is the latest to appear, following on the heels of NASA and the Centers for Disease Control. Why are they in this virtual world? “for education and outreach” and to offer “experiental learning” according to a Denver Post article. NOAA officially planted its stakes on Sunday at the American Association for the Advancement of Science meeting in San Francisco.

How much was spent? Estimates put the NOAA project at about $15,000, including $1,600 for virtual real estate, not including staff time while the CDC spent less than $75 for a more modest outpost.