CCProbeware

Several projects at the Concord Consortium are joining efforts to create an open source suite of applications called CCProbeware. These model-based tools for visualization and analysis are scriptable and configurable, and will work on many types of computers, from handhelds to desktops. The current projects contributing to the development of CCProbeware are:

• TEEMSS2
• Data and Models
• Electronic Guidebook (Exploratorium)
• TEEMSS (Technology Enhanced Elementary and Middle School Science)
• Modeling across the Curriculum

NEW: Sensor Portfolio developed for TEEMSS2

This new software runs on handhelds and desktops and works with Pasco, Imagi, Vernier, Data Harvest, and Fourier probeware interfaces.

Using an Ultra-Fast Temperature Probe

Read the extended web-only article: Probing the Unseen World with an Ultra-Fast Temperature Probe to be amazed at the range of experiments that can be done with an ultra-fast response temperature probe. At the end of the article is a comparison of the response times of temperature probes from different probeware vendors.

CCProbe Software

CCProbe works with the new CCA2D2 v2 interface and probes developed for the TEEMSS project. CCProbe combines sensor visualization, analysis, and calibration component along with a Lab Notebook in teachers can place activities and students can save probe data and reports. An individual Lab Notebook can be easily moved between handheld and full-size computer systems.

The major operating systems include PalmOS, WinCE, Windows, MacOS Classic, MacOSX, and Linux. Specific platforms include the Palm IIIc, the iPaq H3650, Casio E-125, and HP Journada Pocket PCs, along with MacOS, Windows, and Linux systems.

CCProbe Interfaces

During the summer of 2001 we developed the CCA2D2 v2 interface interface for the TEEMSS project. This version of the interface support two probe ports with automatically identified probes. It also has batteries to supply power to higher current probes and support operation while not connected to a computer. Currently the CCProbe software works with the CCA2D2v2 Interface, however the software architecture is being built to support collection of data from many different interfaces.

We made the first version of our interface hardware, the CCA2D2 v1 interface in the Spring of 2001 for the Data and Models project. The CCA2D2 v1 interface capabilities include a 2-channel, 3 Hz, 24 bit ADC, as well as a 2-channel, 200 Hz, 10-bit ADC and additional digital I/O.

Probes

Initially for the Data and Models projects we created the:

• ultrafast response thermocouple temperature sensor

The initial TEEMSS activities are explorations into force and motion and energy transformation. We adapted the ultrafast response thermocouple temperature sensor developed for Data and Models. Specific TEEMSS sensors include:

• fast response thermocouple temperature probe
• force probe (includes a detachable magnetic field sensor)
• smart wheel (0.5 degree angular resolution, max linear speed 5 m/s)
• voltage and current (watt and joule meter)
• light probe

Additionally for the Exploratorium Electronic Guidebook project we are creating:

• multi-spectral light probe
• pressure probe
• sound (using sound recording built into the Pocket PC systems)

TEEMSS Project

Thanks to a donation of 470 Palm IIIc computers from Palm Inc. most of the TEEMSS classrooms will be using color Palm systems this Fall. We anticipate one or two classroom sets of iPaq and or Compaq Pocket PC systems.

Data and Models Project

This project is conducting in depth research with a small number of students and is using Compaq iPaq H3650 PocketPC systems.

Exploratorium Electronic Guidebook

The Exploratorium project is evaluating several different handheld and tablet systems for interactive exploration of exhibits including Palms, HP Journada and iPaq Pocket PCs, and Fujitsu Stylistic tablets. Here's a slide show presentation I gave at a project meeting on October 11, 2001.