This challenge helps you cover much of the data part of the Key Stage 2 National Curriculum for Computing. We use spreadsheets to tabulate data from a survey and then use the graphing function to turn the tables into charts or graphs to help us to analyse and interpret the data.
In the challenge example we look at recording and interpreting traffic data outside the school but you could just as easily change the focus to look at data on pupils in your class such as height, eye colour or even favourite food, crisp flavours, music or more.
The second part of this challenge looks at using spreadsheets to help us model data. We look to plan an end of year barbecue in our example. We use formulas to help add up costs and find costs per item. We can then model costs and also income from ticket sales by changing values on the spreadsheet or by altering formulas. We can also use the spreadsheet to help us present our final model in creating tables and charts for use in a report or presentation.