Spreadsheets are the ideal tools on which to focus for early computer literacy due to calculating power.  Modeling and solving problems with repetitive calculations done by a computer allows students to explore the mathematical nature of scientific phenomena first hand.  Potential Benefits: data can be manipulated with ease, Excel and Google spreadsheets are already available to students, students have prior experience on Excel, future benefit to students (They are now widely and increasingly used in college, careers).
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By programming spreadsheets students put the computer to work for them!

 Need more reasons to model science on spreadsheets? 

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Consider this... 
Managing and analyzing data is becoming the way of the world.
Spreadsheets allow students to focus on "the big picture" when studying science or mathematical behavior.

 Spreadsheets can use small time increments and continually changing equations to model real world behavior.  Outputs such as graphs can be manipulated by changing labeled variables and the predictions of the simulations studied and analyzed by students. 

Students can also solve complex problems in Physics and Math in higher volume if they program a spreadsheet to do it (by following activity instructions) and then read and problem solve at a higher rate of speed.

Students crave Real World Applications of math and will be able to better understand the mathematical behavior without getting bogged down in mechanical steps.