1. SCIENCE SKILLS : SPREADSHEETS

2. What is a spreadsheet?
Scientific inquiry generates data…and with the advent of computers, a lots of data. Spreadsheets are used to compile and statistically analyze that data.
Ex: Microsoft Office Excel, Google Sheets
organize data
represent
calculate

3. Tech Requirements
This tutorial references a Mac running OS X and Google Sheets
Log into Google Drive, open, save and share a Sheets file with your partner.
If you use a PC, MS Office Excel, or another program, much will be the same or very similar. Look for command synonyms, different button locations, etc.

4. Build a Data Table
• Copy a string of data from any source (your science lab notebook, MLB.com, bls.gov, ncdc.noaa.gov …) or make some up
These 4 data points

5. Build a Data Table • Highlight spreadsheet cell B2; paste in the data.
It will sort into separate cells

6. Build a Data Table
• Repeat so you have a few sets of data in a table format
• Title each row with an independent variable (IV)*, each column with a dependent variable (DV) DV IV
*Note: spreadsheets can be finicky about recognizing numbers alone as variables – add a unit, use a word instead, etc

7. Worksheet Displays • You can reformat the text using the toolbar
decimal point
number format
gridlines
size
color
font
etc

8. Worksheet Displays Reformat via drop down menus too
• Wrap makes all your text visible in one cell
• With Number you choose the format of your data

9. Doing Calculations
• The program will do many math functions; here, the formula sums the total number of plants in column B.
• Formulas start with the equal sign. Use * to multiply, /to divide, parentheses, math order of operations
• More functions via the Σ tool : AVERAGE, MAX, MIN,)…

10. Graphing Data
• Highlight the table; under insert choose chart.

11. Graphing Data choose a chart type
Use customize to edit axes,, set min/max, colors, etc

12. Graphing Data
Need to make additional changes?

13. Try This
• Insert additional rows and columns into the table by clicking on the header(s)
the number you highlight is the number that will be inserted
• Write your own formulas
i.e percent change = (((final – initial)/initial)*100)
• Move a formula to fill adjacent cells by grabbing the bottom right corner of the formula cell (cursor will become a +) and dragging and holding to fill more cells with that same calculation.