Observing rat behaviour by jepoirrier

Science investigation by its very nature generates lots of data, often more than children can make sense of in its raw form. Spreadsheet programs such as Excel and/or Google Spreadsheets can be used to generate graphical representation of this data in order to identify trends and make suggestions as to the reasons for these trends.

• One way to introduce spreadsheets to children is via the use of prepared templates such as How Hot, Barometric Pressure, How Big, Weight In Space, Electromagnetic Attraction that children can easily enter data into but can otherwise not change.

• These can be embellished with images, different fonts and colours to enhance them such that the student doesn't even notice that they are working on a spreadsheet. An Excel XP tutorial demonstrating how to make these templates is included.

• Once the data has been collected, (or even as it is being collected), children can then analyse and comment on trends as in this Case Study.

• Students can be given design briefs to construct spreadsheets to show trends also such as Population Growth in Bacteria.

Similar types of spreadsheets can be made with Google Spreadsheets and Google Forms are another great way to gather data for analysis.