CAST Workshop 2007 Sinex Venturing into Computation Science and Dynamic Visualization with Excelets “Excel with a New Twist” Scott A. Sinex Department of Physical Sciences and Engineering Prince George’s Community College Presented at the Computation and Science for Teachers Workshop held at the Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center, Pittsburgh, PA on 18-22 June 2007

Why Excel? Ready off-the-shelf software Found in the work-place Found on home computers too Easy to use by students Can it be an interactive learning tool? (no marcos or VBA programming, just computation via formulas)

...as a tool in math and science Great for handling, graphing, and analyzing data Easy transforming of data such as taking the log Regression and goodness-of-fit So a great tool for mathematical modeling of data and presenting graphs Pre-set calculations & graphs – just add data Using Excel for... Scientific Data

The big picture…

…making Excel come alive “Click-and-think” pedagogy Need a simple manipulatable variable in a mathematical relationship Exploration: predict  test  observe …and now the interactive features

interactive_features.xls

…posing a question to explore What influences the availability of dissolved oxygen in natural waters? …and now to investigate with an Excelet

dissolved_oxygen.xls

A quick introduction to linear regression …explore a new concept A quick introduction to linear regression

regression.xls

…and now to design an Excelet The equation of a straight line: y = mx + b Our columns of data: x and y Our manipulatable variables: m and b

…simulating Boyle’s Law Built the model: PV = k or P = k/V New extend your model to include more variables PV = nRT or P = (nRT)/V What about experimental error?

The complete package… Investigating the Gaseous State of Matter: Macroscopic, Microscopic, and Symbolic Aspects Guided-inquiry based experiment Excelet Animatations http://academic.pgcc.edu/psc/chm101/ideal_gas

As a learning tool... Active engagement of students Numerical experimentation Derive the ideal mathematical model “What if” scenarios Science processes predictions graphical interpretation conclusions random and systematic error (ideal to real) See Investigating Types of Errors Model Simulation science excelets

Some final thoughts… Engages students in higher-order thinking Interpretation/Analysis/Synthesis Engages students in algebraic thinking Variables/Patterns/Representations Engages students in science process Hypotheses /Predictions/Conclusions Reeks of meeting national standards in mathematics, the sciences, and technology AMATYC/MAA/NCTM/NAS/NSTA/ISTE

Resource list for mathematics and science The “How to” resources... Developer's Guide to Excelets: Dynamic and Interactive Visualization with "Javaless" Applets or Interactive Excel Spreadsheets <http://academic.pgcc.edu/~ssinex/excelets> Tutorial, instructions, and a variety of interactive Excel spreadsheet examples Resource list for mathematics and science

More info... Scott Sinex – ssinex@pgcc.edu See course webpages and publications http://academic.pgcc.edu/~ssinex Webpages embedded in PowerPoint – get LiveWeb (http://skp.mvps.org/liveweb.htm)