Tool Soup

Tool Soup is an integrated group of software tools students use to organize and visualize complex sets of data. Tool Soup links software for data acquisition, data visualization, and systems modeling in a single environment. This computer environment enables students to ask and answer scientific questions, organize and save their data, and reflect on the knowledge they are gaining. The software is currently used in the Air Quality unit. Tool Soup includes:  

• DataWarehouse: This map interface helps students access (over the Internet) sample data on air pollution, water pollution, and weather for the past 20 years. Students may also add datasets from other sources, allowing them to compare and contrast their local data with related sources statewide. 

• Viz-It: Using Viz-It, students can visualize and compare data sets on graphs. Relationships shown in the graphs help them answer such questions as, "Is the quality of air in my city improving over time?" 

• NetEdit: This is a word processing tool that enables students to reflect on their research and organize their results. Its also allows students to generate reports and logs for review and publication.  

• Theory Builder helps students develop, write, and organize hypotheses. 

• eChem is Tool Soup’s molecular modeling tool.