Trust your gut instinct over spreadsheets. There are too many variables in the real world that you simply can't put into a spreadsheet. Spreadsheets spit out results from your inexact assumptions and give you a false sense of security. In most cases your heart and gut are still your best guide.
I think education is one of the greatest tools for most kids not only to expand their book knowledge but their ability to experience new things - I think it opens more doors than any other experience I can think of.
