1. Linking Interactive Concept Models into the Visual Geophysical Exploration Environment (VGEE)
Daniel J. Bramer, Rajul Pandya,
Mary Marlino, Don Murray,
Jeff McWhirter, Stuart Wier,
Tim Scheitlin, Mohan Ramamurthy, and Robert Wilhelmson
NCAR
Scientific
Computing
Division
January 13, 2004

2. Concept Models Before…
Interactive, but stand-alone
Teach simple concepts of atmospheric science.
User controlled ‘laboratory’ environments
A good collection, but final goals not yet met.
Interactivity with data sets

3. VGEE Before… Easy-to-use Visualization Environment
Based in UNIDATA IDV – more later
Student-constructed visualizations
Solid Curricula and Activities
Built around El Niño phenomena
Available online
Needed help linking advanced visualizations to simpler concepts that create them

4. UNIDATA Integrated Data Viewer (IDV)
Java-based 3D visualization environment
Designed to handle complex atmospheric and oceanic data sets
Numerical Models, Radar,
Surface Obs., Satellite, etc.
Easy-to-use
Extensible & Customizable
Free

5. Linking the two
Linking possible because both IDV and Concept Models programmed in Java
Met with IDV developers
Made adaptations to the Concept Models
Created a new skin for the VGEE-IDV
Added one-touch access to certain IDV features

6. The Result…
A fully-functional VGEE version of the IDV.

7. The Result…
Students create visualizations, then insert probes into the data set that are linked to the Concept Models.

8. The Result…
The Concept Models report specific information regarding the environment and show it in its viewing window.

9. Benefits
Students have a better chance to understand some of the basic elements that contribute to more complex systems.
The concept models help the students to think about their visualizations more critically
Does this visualization help me understand what’s happening?
They also gain confidence because they made and understand a scientific visualization they constructed themselves.

10. Future Extensibility
The extensibility of the IDV allows for future concept model development not only from us, but from any interested party.
This can allow anyone with programming experience to contribute to the collection of models – even customizing models that fit with their own classes and curricula.

11. Thank You! VGEE UNIDATA IDV http://www.dpc.ucar.edu/vgee/