Ex-Cinnaminson Teacher's Company Awarded $225K Research Grant

CINNAMINSON, NJ — A company founded by a former Cinnaminson High School physics teacher has been awarded a $225,000 grant to conduct research and development work for the United States Congress.

Spreadsheet Lab Manual LLC, founded by Michael McConnell, has been awarded a National Science Foundation (NSF) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant to conduct research and development work on the subject of “Computer Science for All with Spreadsheet Modeling.”

McConnell will be the lead investigator, and he will be supported by Cinnaminson High School alum Matthew Garvey; Philip Falcone of Long Branch; and Dr. Glenn Ledder of the University of Nebraska Lincoln.

The goal of the project is to help inexperienced teachers figure out how to better use spreadsheets for data analysis. Spreadsheets are highly general, widely used, powerful and can use mathematics to build realistic models, according to the National Science Foundation.

“Computational spreadsheet modeling guides students to use spreadsheet commands and functions to build realistic models that were previously not possible with traditional mathematics,” McConnell said. “This leverages the value added of the modern microprocessor to facilitate student-centered, discovery-based learning in STEM education. I am truly honored, humbled and blessed to have the support and guidance of the experts at NSF SBIR to ensure that all students gain high value skills and fluency with data analysis that they will need to be successful in the future.”

The grant awarded to Spreadsheet Lab Manual is an SBIR Phase I grant. Now that it has been awarded that grant, it becomes eligible to apply for a Phase II grant, worth $750,000. Small businesses with Phase II grants are eligible to receive up to $500,000 in additional matching funds with qualifying third-party investment or sales.

The project will use a combination of video training and instructional and assessment materials that teachers can contribute to online. Teachers will be asked to submit new ideas for authorship credit and compensation, according to a copy of Spreadsheet’s proposal to Congress that was provided to Patch.

Many teachers don’t understand the many ways models that simulate realistic behavior can be developed using spreadsheets because those models are so complex, the company said in its proposal.

Students can learn about Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) as separate subjects by combining them into one instructional model. The goal of the project is to help train teachers to help students go beyond their basic use of spreadsheets to do so.

This will help expand the use of computer science in classrooms in compliance with Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). It will open up the realistic modeling capability intrinsic to calculus and differential equations, to high school students while using exclusively algebraic equations.

It will develop, adapt and assess the effectiveness of an inexpensive video demonstration and teacher training regimen designed to deliver information to students quickly and efficiently.

“NSF is proud to support the technology of the future by thinking beyond incremental developments and funding the most creative, impactful ideas across all markets and areas of science and engineering,” said Andrea Belz, Director of the Division of Industrial Innovation and Partnerships at NSF. “With the support of our research funds, any deep technology startup or small business can guide basic science into meaningful solutions that address tremendous needs.”

Training will be automated, keeping costs to a minimum and maximizing the teacher’s time. It will also significantly cut down on student errors, according to the proposal.

McConnell founded the Spreadsheet Manual Lab in 2009 with the goal of helping teachers across the country teach their students to program and study computational spreadsheets in physics, chemistry, biology and math. It is based in Blackwood. For more about Spreadsheet Manual Lab, visit spreadsheetmanuallab.com.

NSF accepts Phase I proposals from small businesses every June and December. Small businesses with innovative science and technology solutions, and commercial potential are encouraged to apply.

All proposals submitted to the NSF SBIR/STTR program, also known as America’s Seed Fund powered by NSF, undergo a rigorous merit-based review process. To learn more about America’s Seed Fund powered by NSF, visit https://.seedfund.nsf.gov/.