Digital Earth Watch (DEW) software and Hands On Universe Image Processing (HOU-IP 2.0) software are both part of the Global Systems Science curriculum. They are included with the hard cover Global Systems textbook by John Christensen, which may be purchased from Kendall/Hunt Publisher. They are also included in the 2009 GSS E-book set download which can be ordered online from Lawrence Hall of Science.

Digital Earth Watch (DEW)

Digital Earth Watch (formerly Interpreting Digital Images) consists of ABC's of Digital Earth Watch Software (student book), a Teacher Guide, and five software programs.

The goal of the DEW unit is to enable students to understand what they are seeing in Earth images and analyze them qualitatively and quantitatively for changes in ecosystems over time, including effects of urban growth, fires, volcanic eruptions, etc. A complete set of satellite images accompanies the DEW unit for exercises, and the software tools can be used with ANY jpeg image files, so students would be able to do their own investigations after learning the basic principles.

DEW software includes:

• Analyzing Digital Images
• Color Basics
• Digital Image Basics
• Forest Analysis
• Vegetation Analysis

DEW software can be downloaded from the GSS Software Download page. Current versions of the books can be downloaded from the GSS Download Site.

DEW software modules can also be downloaded from the Measuring Vegetation Health website software pages.

Hands on Universe Image Processing Software (HOU-IP 2.0)

Hands On Universe Image Processing Software is used for activites and investigations in the Global Systems Science books A Changing Cosmos and Solar System Science. Current versions of the Student Booklet and Teacher Guide for these books can be downloaded from the GSS Download Site.

Investigations in A Changing Cosmos and Solar System Science enable students to get real observatory telescope images and then analyze those images with image processing software. HOU-IP 2.0 software is similar to software used by professional astronomers, but with an interface custom designed for use by middle school or high school students.

A free trial edition of HOU-IP 2.0 is available (fully functional for 30 days). See the order page to find out how to purchase Licenses for for HOU-IP 2.0, to make the trial version permanent.

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