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4.4 Analysis of Images

Once students found the image they requested, there were several steps to pursue in the analysis. The first step, image validation, was required by the student who requested that image. The next two steps, annotation and exploration, could be carried out by any student or school for any of the KidSat images. Annotated and exploration were tailored to each classroom, depending on the teacher's curriculum decisions.

Validation was the process of verifying that the camera took the requested image and that the associated information was correct. In addition, validation provided information about the content of the image. This was used to find images in the Form Search option. The primary element of the validation procedure was to check that the assigned center latitude and longitude, orientation, and name were correct and to submit corrections when necessary.

Annotation involved determining image content, such as political or geographic information--the names of the mountains, rivers, cities, and borders. Annotation was the first step in researching the images. Political and geographic names were written directly on the images, and the images were submitted to the Data System for others to view. The primary tool used for image annotation was NIH Image. This program was selected for its ability to analyze images and because it is free and available on the Web (through a link on the KidSat Data System page).

Exploration, the most exciting step in analyzing an image, goes beyond naming the features in the image. Students were encouraged to find out what the images exposed about Earth's history, science, and geography. Explorations incorporated maps, weather data, books, the Internet, and other authorities. The discoveries made in exploring the images were compiled and submitted to the Data System for viewing by other students.

[[image -- map]]
[[labeled areas of map]] NORTH [[arrow south]]
Pacific Ocena
Great Barrier Reef [[arrow east]] [[arrow south]] Repulse Bay
Broad Sound
Australia

[[caption]] Figure 38: Example of an annotated image from STS-86 taken at MET 08/02:36:38, annotated by Olive Pierce School. The caption reads: "On the left is the coast of Australia. On the right is the Pacific Ocean. The lower bay that you see is called the Broad Sound. The upper bay is called Repulse Bay. The Great Barrier Reef is not visible, but it is there in the dark of the water. The islands in the photograph are called Northumberland Islands. The river is called Bowen River."

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