KS3 Excel Lesson 5 – Calculating Cost | Real-World Models & Conditional Formatting | Computer Scienc

KS3 Excel Modelling Lesson – Business & Profit Challenge (Lesson 5 of 6)

A practical, engaging KS3 Computer Science / ICT lesson where students apply their spreadsheet knowledge to realistic business and modelling scenarios. This lesson moves beyond basic formulas and challenges learners to think logically, analyse data, and design working spreadsheet models.

Perfect for developing confidence with IF statements, formulas, and conditional formatting in meaningful, real-world contexts.

What Students Will Do

Students will:

• Apply formulas to calculate totals, profit, and costs

• Use IF functions to model decision-making

• Apply conditional formatting to highlight key outcomes

• Build a Penguin Selling Business spreadsheet to calculate profit and totals

• Extend learning through creative modelling challenges including:

  • Cinema seat pricing models
  • Airline profit calculations

• Interpret results and refine their spreadsheet models

The lesson focuses on problem-solving, independence, and logical thinking while reinforcing spreadsheet best practice.

What’s Included

Editable Student Workbook / Worksheet

• Clear starter task
• Structured modelling activities
• Step-by-step task progression
• Extension challenges
• Plenary reflection

Linked Excel Files

• Penguins.xlsx
• Cinema.xlsx
• Format.xlsx

These provide ready-made data sets so students can focus on applying formulas and building logic rather than data entry.

Lesson Structure

• Starter activity
• Core modelling task
• Guided IF function practice
• Conditional formatting challenge
• Extension & creative modelling tasks
• Plenary and reflection

Skills Developed

• SUM, subtraction and multiplication formulas
• IF statements for logical outcomes
• Profit and cost modelling
• Conditional formatting rules
• Spreadsheet layout and presentation
• Data-driven decision making

Ideal For

• KS3 Computer Science
• ICT
• Digital Literacy
• Spreadsheet modelling units
• Cover lessons
• End-of-topic consolidation

Why Teachers Choose This Lesson

• Real-world business context increases engagement
• Encourages independent thinking and creativity
• Differentiated challenge built in
• Ready-to-teach with linked Excel files included
• Bridges basic formulas and advanced spreadsheet projects

Part 5 of the 6-Lesson “Learning Excel” Series

Builds directly on IF statements and prepares students for:

• Self-marking spreadsheets
• Advanced modelling
• Final project-based spreadsheet challenges

A strong penultimate lesson that deepens spreadsheet confidence and prepares learners for independent application.