Spreadsheets enable pupils to input data and transform the information into a range of graphs thus greatly improving the quality of interpretation. They also enable pupils to focus on how their results match their predictions and assist with drawing conclusions.

The image on the right shows two examples of spreadsheets created using Textease CT. Textease CT comes with examples including: organising a class party, time taken to travel to school and how far does a toy car travel on different surfaces.

Ideas for using Spreadsheets in Science

• Length of day for different place around the globe
  ( www.schoolsobservatory.org.uk/uninow/sunrs/)
• Distance of planets from sun and other planet information
  ( www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/astronomy/planets/
  (Textease worksheet) (Textease worksheet with formula) (Excel worksheet and Resources)
• What would you weigh on different planets?
  www.exploratorium.edu/ronh/weight/
• Are small bananas better value?
  (Word worksheet)
• How do you like your eggs? Favourite ways of cooking eggs.
• How far does a toy car travel on different surfaces?
  (Whiteboard Resource ) (Textease CT example file)
• Which bridge is the strongest?
• How does the area of a parachute affect how long it takes for the parachute to reach the ground? (Lesson plan with excel template)
• How does your pulse rate change when you exercise? (Excel template)
• Do boys have higher or lower pulse rates than girls?
• How does the mass of an object affect how much force is needed to move it?
  (Lesson plan with excel template)
• Which is the best material for mopping up spills?
• Which type of sugar dissolves most quickly?
• Does dropping a ball from a greater height increase the amount of bounce?
  (Lesson plan with resources)
• Which ball bounces the highest?
• Which magnet is the strongest?
• Which shoe gives the best grip?
• How does the distance from torch to an object affect the size (height) of the shadow?
  (Lesson plan with excel template) (Whiteboard Resource )
• How does the angle of the torch affect the length of the shadow?
  (Lesson plan with excel template)

Websites

The Tag Teacher website provides two ready-made spreadsheets for:
a) helping work out the energy wasted in homes,
b) working out the best conditions for plant growth.
http://www.tagteachernet.co.uk/dell/

Crime Stoppers by Stockton ICT Consultants
Information Workshop/Information Magic and Adobe Acrobat Documents
http://www.train.stockton.gov.uk/