Future Computer Scientists

Mrs. Roach and I embarked on a new adventure with her 5th graders today. Over the next few months the students will be learning how to code. Today's lesson was an introduction to computer science and why this field is vital in our world, present and future. To illustrate this point, we watched this short video about the importance of coding:

We also discussed how learning how to code requires critical thinking, problem solving, collaboration, team work, and creativity! Many students offered ideas for how they would like to help the world through computer science: develop open-source software to teach people how to read; create a simulation for people to experience what it's like to live in another culture; and create solar powered technology. 

We ended the lesson by reviewing binary code, a coding system using the binary digits 0 and 1 to represent a letter, digit, or other character in a computer. Computers have their own language just like humans do! :)

We challenged students to code their initials and then to think about how many boxes would be needed to code their first, middle, and last names. 

Next week, we will introduce students to the Hour of Code and they will have a chance to write their first lines of code on the computer!