Using the excel spreadsheet in teaching science subjects

The main reason why teaching engineering and science subjects are more difficult and also more expensive is because of the requirements of laboratories. Experimental analysis teaches the practical aspects of a course and also gives students experience of observing and collecting data in real time. In contrary to science subjects, for example, topics such as history or geography can be taught totally in a classroom environment. Currently, many institutions tend to use computer simulations wherever possible instead of laboratories. For example, the readily available Excel spreadsheet can be programmed to simulate the behaviour and movement of many dynamical systems such as a simple pendulum. This paper presents the requirements of engineering and science teaching and describes how the Excel spreadsheet can be used dynamically in the teaching of science subjects.