Computing · Year 6 · Big Data and Spreadsheet Modeling · Spring Term

Introduction to 'What If' Scenarios

Students use spreadsheets to create simple 'what if' scenarios, changing variables to see potential outcomes.

• National Curriculum Attainment Targets
• KS2: Computing - Data Handling
• KS2: Computing - Computational Thinking

About This Topic

In Year 6 Computing, under the Big Data and Spreadsheet Modeling unit, students create simple 'what if' scenarios in spreadsheets. They input variables like prices or quantities, apply formulas for calculations such as totals and profits, then adjust inputs to observe changes in outputs. This meets KS2 standards for data handling by selecting and using software effectively, and for computational thinking through pattern recognition and abstraction.

Students apply these skills to real contexts, such as predicting financial impacts from price increases or designing models for school fundraising events. By analysing how one change ripples through calculated values, they build logical reasoning and prediction abilities. These models use basic functions like SUM, PRODUCT, and IF, preparing pupils for more complex data analysis in secondary education.

Active learning excels with this topic because students experiment directly with digital tools. In pairs or small groups, they test hypotheses, compare predicted versus actual outcomes, and iterate on models through discussion. This hands-on approach makes abstract variable dependencies concrete, boosts engagement, and solidifies understanding of computational models.

Key Questions

1. Analyze how changing one variable in a spreadsheet can impact other calculated values.
2. Predict the financial impact of a price increase using a simple 'what if' model.
3. Design a basic model to explore different scenarios for a school fundraising event.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze how changing a single input variable affects multiple output values in a spreadsheet model.
• Calculate the potential profit or loss for a school fundraising event based on variable costs and income.
• Design a simple spreadsheet model to compare at least two different fundraising scenarios.
• Predict the financial outcome of a product price change using a 'what if' spreadsheet.
• Compare the results of two different 'what if' scenarios by modifying input variables.

Before You Start

Introduction to Spreadsheets

Why: Students need basic familiarity with opening a spreadsheet program, entering data into cells, and navigating the interface.

Basic Arithmetic Operations

Why: Understanding addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division is essential for creating and interpreting formulas within the spreadsheet.

Key Vocabulary

Variable	A factor or quantity in a spreadsheet that can be changed to see its effect on other values. For example, the price of an item or the number of attendees.
Scenario	A possible situation or set of conditions that can be explored by changing variables in a spreadsheet model. For example, a scenario with high ticket sales versus low ticket sales.
Input	The data or values that are entered into a spreadsheet by the user, such as prices, quantities, or costs.
Output	The results or calculated values that a spreadsheet produces based on the inputs and formulas. This could be a total cost, profit, or a final outcome.
Formula	A set of instructions in a spreadsheet that perform calculations, such as adding, subtracting, multiplying, or using functions like SUM or IF.

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

Changing a cell only affects that cell, not linked formulas.

What to Teach Instead

Pupils often overlook formula dependencies. Hands-on tweaking in pairs reveals updates across cells instantly, prompting discussions on cell references. Peer teaching during model swaps corrects this by comparing before-and-after views.

Common Misconception

Spreadsheet results are always correct if numbers are entered.

What to Teach Instead

Students ignore 'garbage in, garbage out.' Active debugging in small groups, where they trace errors in shared models, teaches validation. Group verification of formulas builds habits for accurate data handling.

Common Misconception

'What if' scenarios involve random changes without purpose.

What to Teach Instead

Trial-and-error feels unstructured. Guided prediction sheets before changes, followed by group reflections, show systematic exploration. This scaffolds purposeful modelling aligned to computational thinking.

Active Learning Ideas

Pairs Challenge: Fundraising Model

Pairs open a shared spreadsheet template with cells for ticket price, quantity sold, and cost formulas. They predict outcomes, change the price variable, and record how revenue and profit update. Groups then swap models to test new scenarios and discuss differences.

35 min·Pairs

Small Groups: Price Impact Stations

Set up stations with pre-made sales spreadsheets for different products. Groups rotate, adjust one variable like price or discount at each, note impacts on totals, and graph results. Conclude with a class chart comparing group findings.

45 min·Small Groups

Individual Exploration: Event Planner

Each student builds a personal model for a hypothetical school event, entering variables for attendance, ticket price, and expenses. They create three 'what if' scenarios, screenshot results, and write one-paragraph explanations of key insights.

30 min·Individual

Whole Class Demo: Live Tweaks

Project a class spreadsheet model. Teacher demonstrates changing variables while students predict aloud. Pupils then suggest tweaks via mini-whiteboards, vote on best scenarios, and observe collective impacts.

20 min·Whole Class

Real-World Connections

• Retail buyers use 'what if' spreadsheets to model the impact of changing wholesale costs or suggested retail prices on their potential profit margins for new product lines.
• Event planners create spreadsheet models to explore different ticket pricing strategies and estimate revenue for concerts or conferences, adjusting attendee numbers and costs to find the most profitable approach.
• Small business owners frequently use spreadsheets to forecast sales based on different marketing budgets or product pricing, helping them make informed decisions about resource allocation.

Assessment Ideas

Quick Check

Provide students with a simple spreadsheet showing the cost of making and selling cookies (ingredients cost, number of cookies, selling price per cookie). Ask them to change the selling price from $1.00 to $1.50 and record the new total profit. Ask: 'What was the original profit? What is the new profit? How did changing the price affect the profit?'

Exit Ticket

Give students a scenario: 'You are planning a bake sale. The cost of ingredients is $20. You can sell cupcakes for $2 each. How many cupcakes do you need to sell to make a profit of $50?' Ask students to write down the variables they would use in a spreadsheet and the formula they might use to find the answer.

Discussion Prompt

Present a spreadsheet model for a school fair with variables for ticket price, number of attendees, and cost of attractions. Ask: 'If we increase the ticket price by $1, what are two other numbers in the spreadsheet that will likely change? Explain why.' Facilitate a class discussion on the interconnectedness of the data.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do 'what if' scenarios fit KS2 Computing standards?

They directly support data handling by using spreadsheets to manipulate variables and analyse outcomes, and computational thinking via decomposition of problems into inputs, processes, and outputs. Pupils design models for goals like fundraising predictions, selecting formulas to create purposeful representations. This builds skills for selecting and combining software tools effectively.

What free tools work best for Year 6 what-if spreadsheets?

Google Sheets suits most classrooms with real-time collaboration and no cost. Pupils share links for pair editing, use simple formulas like =B2*C2 for revenue, and insert charts for visual impacts. Microsoft Excel Online offers similar features if school-licensed, ensuring accessibility across devices.

How can active learning help students master what-if scenarios?

Active approaches like paired experimentation let students hypothesise changes, test in spreadsheets, and debrief discrepancies, turning passive formula entry into discovery. Small group rotations expose varied models, sparking peer explanations of dependencies. This iterative process, with 20-30 minute challenges, deepens retention of variable impacts over rote demos, aligning with UK curriculum emphasis on practical computing.

How to extend what-if models for fundraising events?

Start with basics like price times quantity minus costs, then add tiers: IF statements for volume discounts or conditional formatting for profit thresholds. Challenge pupils to include graphs tracking scenarios. Link to maths by integrating percentages for mark-ups, reinforcing cross-curricular data skills.