This paper describes how electronic spreadsheet simulators, originally designed to simulate and replace large paper worksheets used in accounting and financial planning, can be used to study and explore functional relationships among a number of parameters. As a way of providing a context for understanding this application of a spreadsheet template, a description of the use of electronic spreadsheets to enable students to conduct simulated microelectrode recording experiments is given. Also described is the use of spreadsheet simulators to let students explore the operation of models of hypothetical neural networks which underly such visual phenomena as induced color contrast. Student comments on the neural model simulations indicate that a pre-use discussion and post-use debriefing, in lecture or tutorial sessions, seem to enhance the effectiveness of the simulations; some limitations of the simulations can be compensated for by proper pre-use preparation and post-use debriefing; and many students feel they gain an enhanced depth and quality of understanding from the interactive learning and immediate feedback. (THC)