NSDL metadata for THREDDS datasets

Hi all,

We are working on a set of automated metadata generation tools to augment 
the toolset associated with our Unidata LDM.  The LDM is used to populate 
many real-time data servers around the country -- including many THREDDS 
server sites.   While we are focusing on the metadata needed to connect 
THREDDS clients and servers,  we also want to incorporate some elements of 
a "standard" discovery metadata set.  We are aware of the detailed 
standards of the FGDC, GCMD, those evolving at ISO as well as the ESML 
definition at UAH.

But, as a place to get started and gain some experience with the metadata 
generation tools themselves, we're looking for something simpler that 
fulfills the basic requirements for NSDL and DLESE discovery metadata:

  http://www.smete.org/nsdl/workgroups/standards/current_element_set.html

This is really the basic Dublin Core with a few educational extensions.  I 
am wondering if any of you have experience with mappings between the more 
detailed standards and the NSDL/Dublin Core specs.  In particular, we plan 
to start with the types of data found on many THREDDS servers:


 -- gridded data output from weather forecast models,
 -- GOES satellite imagery, NEXRAD level 3 images, and
 -- point source weather observations and balloon soundings from weather 
stations
 -- climate data, .

Please let me know if you have experience with or suggestions for 
generating Dublin Core records for these classes of data.

Thank you in advance.

-- Ben