Search Results
Showing results 1 to 20 of 42

Public Key Encryption: Kid Krypto
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners conduct a simulation exercise related to public key encryption and try to intercept a message sent between two learners.

Battleships: Searching Algorithms
Source Institutions
This activity explores the main algorithms that are used as the basis for searching on computers, using different variations on the game of battleships.

Tiny Particles, Big Trouble!
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners discover why some nanoscale science and technology is done in the controlled environment of a clean room, what clean rooms are like, and how scientists help keep the clean r

Twenty Guesses: Information Theory
Source Institutions
This activity introduces the idea that computer scientists measure information by how "surprising" a message is.

Inkjet Printer
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners investigate how inkjet printers produce tiny, precise drops of ink.

The Poor Cartographer: Graph Coloring
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners help a poor cartographer color in the countries on a map, making sure each country is colored a different color than any of its neighbors.

LEGO Robots
Source Institutions
This activity (on page 2 of the PDF under GEMS Activity) is a full inquiry investigation into technology design and testing.

The Muddy City: Minimal Spanning Trees
Source Institutions
In this puzzle, learners investigate the decisions involved in linking a network between houses in a muddy city.

Programming Languages: Harold the Robot
Source Institutions
In this activity related to computer programming, learners give directions to a "robot" (either an adult or another learner) and find out which instructions the robot is able to follow, and how their

Clap Sensor: Build a Sound Sensor Using a Pico Cricket
Source Institutions
This activity requires a Pico Cricket (tiny computer). Learners work on designing and building a sound sensor out of household materials, like plastic wrap and cardboard.

Human Interface Design: The Chocolate Factory
Source Institutions
In this activity about human interface design issues, learners help the Oompa-Loompas of a great chocolate factory solve different problems.

Phylogenetics
Source Institutions
This activity lets learners participate in the process of reconstructing a phylogenetic tree and introduces them to several core bioinformatics concepts, particularly in relation to evolution.

Programming Languages: Marching Orders
Source Institutions
In this activity about computer programming, learners follow instructions in a variety of ways in order to successfully draw figures.

Divide and Conquer: Santa's Dirty Socks
Source Institutions
This activity introduces the idea of "divide and conquer" using a fictitious but serious problem--a pair of dirty socks has accidentally been wrapped in one of the presents that Santa is about to deli

Artificial Intelligence: The Intelligent Piece of Paper
Source Institutions
This activity explores what it means for a computer to be intelligent and introduces the topic of what a computer program is and how everything computers do simply involves following instructions writ

Ice Roads: Steiner Trees
Source Institutions
In this outdoor activity, learners use pegs (like tent pegs) and string or elastic to simulate drill sites and roads in Northern Canada.

Photolithography
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners use UV light to transfer a pattern onto a plastic board. The pattern is transferred by placing a mask (a transparency sheet with the pattern) on a plastic board.

What am I?
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners examine nanoscale structures of common things.

Metal Heads
Source Institutions
Pairs of learners play the roles of programmer and robot. The programmer gives specific directions to the robot to accomplish a simple task (e.g. walk across the room and pick up a pencil).

Cryptographic Protocols: The Peruvian Coin Flip
Source Institutions
This activity about cryptographic techniques illustrates how to accomplish a simple, but nevertheless seemingly impossible task—making a fair, random choice by flipping a coin between two people who d