Scientific visualizations are commonly used by researchers to observe large complex systems of data in their quest to better comprehend individual processes and elements that comprise the overall picture. The Visual Geophysical Exploration Environment (VGEE) uses the visualization process and exploration as key to teach undergraduate students geophysical concepts and phenomena. However, these students normally do not possess the same analytic abilities as a scientist. Therefore, they would need guidance in order to understand and extract useful information from these visualizations.

The VGEE offers this guidance by both allowing users to insert a probe into the visualization dataset and developing a learner friendly Graphical User Interface (GUI). The probe extracts specific information and places it into its own window -- isolating a specific process occurring in the dataset. By isolating the process, the information is further reduced, helping them understand that isolated piece. They can then return to the larger dataset with new knowledge that will ultimately help them understand the entire visualization. For example, students viewing a data set of model simulations of ocean temperatures and cloud cover will be able to use an evaporation probe to help understand the relationship between higher oceanic temperatures and the presence of clouds in the air. They can then return to the visualization dataset and better comprehend why increased cloud occurrences are related to higher ocean temperatures.

The GUI’s primary goal is to deliver a useable 3D scientific utility to students. The GUI’s primary components consist of the main display, the visualization state, and the probe window. The dataset can be viewed in 3D in the main display, while the visualization state displays information about the main display and visualization options. The probes are placed into the probe window. Both the GUI and the probes are written in Java, offering the flexibility of an object-oriented language as well as easy use over the Internet. It also allows for an easy interface between the two. Information learned from the probe stems directly from changes in the dataset.

These Java-based programs are not restricted to being attached to a dataset. They can be placed on the web without the datasets and used as concept models. They operate similarly to the probes, but allow the user to freely change the environment themselves, enabling them to discover relationships between fundamental variables and understand fundamental geophysical principles. For example, the user can use a concept model to view the relationships between temperature and pressure with constant volume.