Hello,
This is an activity I am using during an enrichment period. I am already seeing changes I need to make.

I didn't do a good job of introducing my lesson plan.
Our school did not make AYP in all MCAS categories, so we are doing MCAS remediation for some students. While underperforming students are receiving remediation, those that received passing scores are in enriching classes. We see each enrichment group for 3-30 minute classes.
My science enrichment focused on growing a hydrophilic polymer sphere. Then the students will graph the growth data. The sphere were grown in plain water, salt water, and sugar water. The students would find the final masses and observe the difference that a solute made on the growth of the sphere. I wanted the students to use Excel to create class data tables and graph the averages.

I have only taught the first two sections of this lesson and was surprised at how little familiarity the students had with Excel. I am extending the lesson to have four parts, all of us will extend our enrichment time. The next two will be how to use formulas in Excel and then how to graph.
I will make changes to the lesson after I have completed the whole lesson.

Hi Stacy,
I love this idea. I purchased some of these spheres at the Steve Spangler booth at NSTA and have been trying to think of a good investigation to do with them. I am looking foward to modifying this plan for my students.

Kudos to you for making excellent use of your "extra" time with kids! Your lesson sounds interesting - being a math person, I was attracted to the word "sphere" in the title. Thanks for sharing!