The lesson includes a science lab investigation with students collecting and recording temperature data and creating line and bar graphs using Excel in the computer lab.
This is the investigation template.

Solar Heating and Heat Transfer Lab Report includes the science lab procedure, data tables, and instructions for creating graphs using the Chart Wizard in Excel.

Sample data tables and graphs show the actual results of one groups data and class average temperature differences.

Sample multiple line graph of data (Data Table 1)shows the heating of three surfaces: Black, White, and Aluminum cans.

Sample column (bar) graph compares the temperature differences (class data)of black, white, and aluminum cans.

Marie.
This is a very good lesson. It can be used in the eighth grade Astronomy classes.
Rich Briody

Marie.
This is a very good lesson. It can be used in the eighth grade Astronomy classes.
Rich Briody

Marie-
I can include this lesson in our ninth grade thermodynamics unit!
Thanks-
Marge P.

I had the opportunity to see Marie work with her classes in the computer lab with this lesson. Only a few of the students in these classes had had computer use with the Excel program during the 1st half of the school year. Most of the students are just beginning their use of computers in the lab for the second half of the year so many of the students hadn't used Excel before. Under Marie's direction the student's were very able to complete the Excel charts and discuss why the difference in temp. The lessons went very well and I was happy to see those students from the first half of the computer classes able to help others in the newly learned Excel process under Marie's direction. Nice!