Energize, Engage, Empower Student Thinking & Learning with Spreadsheet Simulations Scott A. Sinex Physical Sciences & Engineering Prince George’s Community College 13 April 2012

Let’s roll the die… dice… die…dice… What does the distribution of face numbers look like? How long would it take if rolling by hand?

So let’s roll in a spreadsheet… =RANDBETWEEN(1,6) Calculation for each roll of a die face number frequency Predict what the graph would look like!

To die for: What are the chances? We can investigate variability!

Why interactive spreadsheets? Easy access for students and teachers and useful for them to know Easy for instructors to develop – see Developer’s Guide to Excelets Developer’s Guide to Excelets Creates an engaging pedagogy in math and the sciences “Excel to Engage”

…more why? Addresses topics conceptually, while camouflaging mathematics –Students have to think : predict - test - analyze Allows for mathematical modeling and studying errors –More science process –More multivariable approach (more real world) –Mathematics resurfaces!!!! …and explain!!! Yes it returns!!! (Even more)

Data Mathematical model Numerical simulation Do some big time science… …and use some math Fine print: Never remove experiments for simulations, add simulations to extend your experiments! Go AMATYC!

…and address important human interest questions such as: Why is pizza cut in even number of slices? Do you want pepperoni?

Here we use spinner from the Forms toolbar. The Forms Tools operate on both PC and Mac platforms. A simple interactive visual and for even slices, a straight cut!

Construct complicated models Is there a relationship between the height of the cookie stack and number of cookies?

“Just add data” Excelet data mathematical model

Do reverse science process backwards How does the height of the candle vary over time? Use the simulation  to get the model ideal ^

How does a burning candle behave? Here we collect the data by clicking the up arrow on the spinner. animation

…adding error to the data Scatter is added to the data by increasing random error. =E6+$K$7*RANDBETWEEN(-10,10)/10+$G$10 The circled scroll bar controls the size of random variation.

coastalcare.org October 2010 – Collapsed house on Holland Island (?) in Chesapeake Bay! island? Is sea level changing? October Last house on Holland Island in Chesapeake Bay island

What does tide gauge data tell us? Option buttons allow which data set is viewed.

But can just anyone do this? YES!!!

Building a simulation Let’s construct a model for the behavior of the quadratic equation Our multivariable equation y = ax 2 + bx + c How does the graph behave when we vary a, b, and c?

Set-up screen Simulation of Quadratic Equation Behavior

Baseball pop-up and quadratic… Multivariable and a practical application

The “How to” resources... Developer's Guide to Excelets: Dynamic and Interactive Visualization with "Javaless" Applets or Interactive Excel Spreadsheets Tutorial, instructions, and a variety of interactive Excel spreadsheet examples Resource list for mathematics and science

In the end… Easy access technology both in & out of class An engaging pedagogy More scientific and algebraic thinking More multivariable (real world) approach Can venture into some more complicated concepts (keep math camouflaged)

More info… Scott Sinex Google or Bing: excelets …and THANKS for attending!!!

More resources… Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center Computation and Science Teachers (CAST) Professional Development Modules (uses Excel, Vensim, and NetLogo) Modules 2A, 5A, and 6 – use Excel