ABSTRACT of Eureka.xls

Using spreadsheets to teach aeronautics to different ability levels.


What determines the load a balloon can lift? This question is at the heart of an aeronautics lesson for 5th through 8th grade science students. A single Excel workbook (multiple spreadsheets) allows students to record and graph balloon flight data obtained from an experiment featuring small Styrofoam “balloons” lifting washers through water. Data are manually transferred by students onto a prepared graph. Questions about the graph lead to an understanding of what causes any object to float. Through this simple experiment, students have a chance to see that ships floating on water and hot air balloons floating in air both depend on the same principle. Separate spreadsheets for beginning, intermediate, and advanced graphing skills give the same challenge to a wide variety of student skill levels. Instructions for making the laboratory equipment are included. Answers to all questions and a teacher notes section is also available. This Excel spreadsheet will run on PC’s or Macs using Windows95 / Excel 5 or later.

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