1. 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 June 2007

2. 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)

3. ...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

4. The big picture…

5. …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

6. interactive_features.xls

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

8. dissolved_oxygen.xls

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

10. regression.xls

11. …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

12. …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?

13. The complete package…
Investigating the Gaseous State of Matter: Macroscopic, Microscopic, and Symbolic Aspects
Guided-inquiry based experiment
Excelet
Animatations

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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
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Tutorial, instructions, and a variety of interactive Excel spreadsheet examples
Resource list for mathematics and science

17. More info... Scott Sinex – ssinex@pgcc.edu
See course webpages and publications
Webpages embedded in PowerPoint –
get LiveWeb (