Examples

Simple vs. Compound Interest -- Spreadsheeting the Difference part of Spreadsheets Across the Curriculum:General Collection:Examples
Spreadsheets Across Curriculum module. Students build spreadsheets to tabulate, graph and compare the future value of investments with compound vs. simple interest. Spreadsheet level: beginner.

The Effect of Race and Ethnicity on High School Graduation Rates in Florida part of Starting Point: Teaching and Learning Economics:Teaching Methods:Undergraduate Research:Examples
In this individual research project, a senior thesis student conducts a regression analysis that investigates the effects of race, ethnicity, and poverty on high school graduation rates in Florida. The data are easily obtainable from the Florida Department of Education. The project can be modified to be a group research project in a Research Methods Class or a Special Topics Upper Level Economics class.

Minimizing Cost while Meeting Nutritional Needs -- An example of linear programming part of Spreadsheets Across the Curriculum:General Collection:Examples
Spreadsheets Across the Curriculum module. Students use Excel Solver to find the linear combination of servings of two specified foods that minimize cost while meeting nutritional requirements.

Understanding Mortgage Payments part of Spreadsheets Across the Curriculum:General Collection:Examples
Spreadsheets across the Curriculum module. Students build Excel spreadsheets to calculate monthly mortgage payments and evaluate how much of their payment is applied to the principle and interest.

Creating a Household Budget part of Spreadsheets Across the Curriculum:General Collection:Examples
Spreadsheets Across the Curriculum module. Students track their expenses and use Excel to compare them to Seattle/Tacoma averages. Developed for adult students taking English as a Second Language.

Index Numbers: Gasoline and Inflation -- Why We Need the Consumer Price Index part of Spreadsheets Across the Curriculum:General Collection:Examples
Spreadsheets Across Curriculum module. Students build spreadsheets to examine the price of gasoline, 1978-2005. QL: using ratios and proportions to make comparisons.

Investing for Retirement part of Spreadsheets Across the Curriculum:General Collection:Examples
Spreadsheets Across the Curriculum module. Students use the Compound Interest Equation and an annuity equation to calculate the growth of investments over time.

Driving Across Town for Cheaper Gas -- A Cost/Benefit Analysis part of Spreadsheets Across the Curriculum:General Collection:Examples
Spreadsheets Across the Curriculum module. Students build a spreadsheet to explore the trade-offs between "bargain-priced" gas vs. the extra mileage needed to get it. A modeling problem.