Calculating Data with Excel
In order to calculate data on Heat Flux for the above activities, you need a Heat Flux calculator. The Alaska Lake Ice Observatory Network has developed such a calculator using Excel software. Two calculators are available below, one for snow data taken on frozen lakes, the other for snow data taken on the ground:
- Snow Calculator for Frozen Lakes (Excel format)
- Snow Calculator for the Ground (Excel format)
Be sure to use the “Save As” command to save the calculator as a separate Excel spreadsheet before you start to use it, to reduce the risk of deleting the calculation commands embedded in the spreadsheet. To view the calculation commands, just put the cursor on any of the fields.
You can teach students to create their own calculator for automating any type of calculations they need.
Download the Creating an Excel Calculator document (pdf) for instructions.