The files below are in a popular format called the 'CSV' format. You open these in your spreadsheet or database program to draw a graph. For example, when you've opened the Periodic Table file using Excel, choose Data / Autofilter and note the column headings. Click on a down arrow in the density column to choose the top ten and see the ten most dense elements. See the activity sheets below for further guidance.     

Examples of programs you can use to handle this data include: Excel (Mac/PC - Microsoft), Information Workshop (PC - BlackCat Software) and the table feature of Datalogging Insight software (PC / Mac / Acorn - Logotron).

Data files by Laurence Rogers, Leicester University

The Planets

Breakfast cereals

Ourselves

The Periodic Table

Printed help is available

• See the section on database programs in 'IT in Primary Science' and 'The IT in Secondary Science' for details, examples and hints on using these in the classroom.

• See the Teaching and Learning Guide that comes with Data logging Insight software (Logotron). The package has datafiles (from which the Cereals file is borrowed) and button-by-button instructions.

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