Introduction to 'What If' Scenarios

Active learning works for ‘What If’ Scenarios because spreadsheet models come alive when students physically adjust values and observe ripples across linked cells. Pairs and small groups turn abstract formulas into visible cause and effect, building confidence and computational thinking at the same time.

• Year 6
• Computing
• 4 activities
• 20 min–45 min

Learning Objectives

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

Project-Based Learning

⏱ 35 min·Pairs

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.

Prepare & details

Analyze how changing one variable in a spreadsheet can impact other calculated values.

Facilitation Tip: During the Pairs Challenge, circulate and ask each pair to explain the chain of changes they see when they tweak the ticket price.

Setup: Flexible workspace with access to materials and technology

Materials: Project brief with driving question, Planning template and timeline, Rubric with milestones, Presentation materials

• Apply
• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Create
• Self-Management
• Relationship Skills
• Decision-Making

Project-Based Learning

⏱ 45 min·Small Groups

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.

Prepare & details

Predict the financial impact of a price increase using a simple 'what if' model.

Facilitation Tip: At Price Impact Stations, hand out prediction slips before students edit so they commit to outcomes and reflect afterward.

Setup: Flexible workspace with access to materials and technology

Materials: Project brief with driving question, Planning template and timeline, Rubric with milestones, Presentation materials

• Apply
• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Create
• Self-Management
• Relationship Skills
• Decision-Making

Project-Based Learning

⏱ 30 min·Individual

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.

Prepare & details

Design a basic model to explore different scenarios for a school fundraising event.

Facilitation Tip: For the Individual Exploration, check that each student’s formulas reference cells rather than hard-coded numbers before they finalize their profit forecast.

Setup: Flexible workspace with access to materials and technology

Materials: Project brief with driving question, Planning template and timeline, Rubric with milestones, Presentation materials

• Apply
• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Create
• Self-Management
• Relationship Skills
• Decision-Making

Project-Based Learning

⏱ 20 min·Whole Class

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.

Prepare & details

Analyze how changing one variable in a spreadsheet can impact other calculated values.

Facilitation Tip: Use the Whole Class Demo to freeze the screen mid-change and ask the class to predict the next cell update before you click.

Setup: Flexible workspace with access to materials and technology

Materials: Project brief with driving question, Planning template and timeline, Rubric with milestones, Presentation materials

• Apply
• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Create
• Self-Management
• Relationship Skills
• Decision-Making

Teaching This Topic

Teach by modelling curiosity: change values slowly and narrate your thinking out loud so students hear the language of prediction. Avoid rushing to answers; let confusion surface and resolve it together through shared debugging. Research shows that structured reflection after each tweak deepens understanding more than rapid completion of tasks.

What to Expect

Successful learning looks like students confidently changing one input and correctly explaining how the output in a different cell changes. They should articulate which formulas drive those changes and justify their predictions with evidence from the spreadsheet.

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

During the Pairs Challenge, watch for pupils who change only the visible cell and ignore ripple effects in profit or total cells.

What to Teach Instead

Pause the pairs and ask them to trace a single change through two or three linked formulas using colored pencils on a printed copy of the sheet.

Common Misconception

During Price Impact Stations, watch for students who assume the spreadsheet adjusts automatically without verifying formulas.

What to Teach Instead

Hand each group a mini whiteboard to write the formula they think is running and compare it to the actual formula in the cell.

Common Misconception

During the Individual Exploration, watch for students who treat the model as random trial-and-error rather than systematic testing.

What to Teach Instead

Ask them to fill a prediction sheet with three planned changes and the expected profit before they edit any cells.

Assessment Ideas

Quick Check

After the Pairs Challenge, provide a cookie-cost spreadsheet and ask students to change the selling price from $1.00 to $1.50, then record the original and new profit on a sticky note. Collect notes to check for correct formula updates and numerical accuracy.

Exit Ticket

After Price Impact Stations, give students the bake sale scenario and ask them to list the variables they would use and the formula to calculate profit. Collect slips to confirm they identify revenue minus cost and understand cell referencing.

Discussion Prompt

During the Whole Class Demo, present a school fair spreadsheet and ask students to name two cells that will change if ticket price increases by $1. Facilitate a whole-class discussion on interconnected cells and justify answers by referencing formulas.

Extensions & Scaffolding

• Challenge: Ask students to add a second product line with overlapping costs and compare break-even points.
• Scaffolding: Provide pre-entered formulas with one blank cell for students to complete during the Pairs Challenge.
• Deeper: Introduce conditional formatting to highlight profit margins above 30% during the Event Planner task.

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.