Hewlett-Packard
Hewlett-Packard's new calculator, the HP 6S, is designed to help middle-school students succeed in math and science. Available in cool blue and silver metallic finishes and with easy to use features, the new calculator tries to introduce an element of technological fun into middle school classrooms.
"Calculators do more than just assist in simple arithmetic," said Starla Manchester, math teacher at Discovery Middle School in Vancouver, Wash. "Proper calculator usage helps younger students learn how to form conceptual ideas and expand thought processes. The HP 6S curriculum provides teachers and students with a whole new perspective on problem solving."
The HP 6S is a compact scientific calculator with 67 built-in functions necessary to help solve math problems at the middle school level. In addition to the basic math functions, it has fraction calculation, the most demanded function from middle-school students, according to teachers. Also featured are single-variable statistics functions that allow the student to learn elementary statistics easily. The larger than standard 10+2 digit LCD display makes equations and solutions easier to read and provides more information at a single glance. A backspace key lets users correct entry mistakes and the 6S is available in solar- or battery-powered models. Hewlett Packard, Palo Alto, CA, (800) 637-7740, www.hp.com/calculators.
This article originally appeared in the 06/01/1999 issue of THE Journal.