As we gear up for the new cycle, the annual challenge and opportunity of the HL Paper 3 Case Study is upon us. We all know the drill: digesting a new scenario, planning engaging lessons, and creating resources that cover the content and align with the IB's core pedagogical principles. It's a significant undertaking that demands hours of our valuable prep time.

This year's topic, "An ethical approach to hacking," is a fantastic and highly relevant scenario that I know our students will find fascinating. We are building a comprehensive suite of resources on the website to help you bring the CyberHealth Security and MedTechPro Hospital case to life in your classroom.

This isn't just a collection of notes; it's a complete teaching and learning package designed to guide you and your students through every phase of the Penetration Testing Execution Standard (PTES).

What’s Included in the New Resource Pack?

We've developed these resources to be a cohesive and practical toolkit. Right now, you can access:

• A Comprehensive 30-Lesson Plan: A detailed, day-by-day guide that walks you through the entire case study, from pre-engagement to final reporting. Each lesson includes objectives, key concepts, and suggested activities.
• A Full Set of Student Handouts: For every single activity in the 30-lesson plan, there is a corresponding ready-to-print worksheet, role-playing guide, scenario card, or analysis template.
• Innovative AI-Powered Learning Prompts: A guide with carefully crafted prompts that empower students to use tools like Gemini as an interactive "ethical hacking consultant," allowing them to explore concepts at their own pace.
• Flashcards: A set of flashcards to help students memorise all the necessary Key Terms has been made on Quizlet. 

Designed for the IB CS Classroom

These materials are built on the inquiry-based philosophy of the Group 4 subjects. The lesson plan:

• Integrates Computational Thinking principles throughout.
• Provides clear opportunities to discuss Theory of Knowledge (TOK) questions.
• Connects activities to the IB Learner Profile, especially attributes like Principled, Thinker, and Reflective.
• Focuses on practical application, problem-solving, and critical evaluation, mirroring the skills needed for both the exam and the Internal Assessment.

How You Can Use These Resources Now

Log in to the subscriber area now, and you'll find the new section for the May/November 2026 Case Study.

• Use the lesson plan as your roadmap for the entire unit.
• Print the handouts for immediate use in your classroom activities.
• Introduce the Gemini prompts to offer your students a differentiated, 21st-century learning path.

My goal is to provide you with a framework that saves you time while elevating the learning experience for your students, enabling them to tackle the Paper 3 questions with deep understanding and confidence.

And There's More to Come!

This is just the first set of resources for the 2026 Case Study. We are committed to continuously expanding this section, and you can expect more resources, activities, and guidance to be added over the coming months. Future updates will include assessment exemplars, walkthroughs of key concepts, and more.

I hope these materials support you in your teaching. I would love to hear your feedback and learn how you use them in your classroom. Please feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below or on our community forum.