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This activity introduces the idea that computer scientists measure information by how "surprising" a message is.

Data in computers is stored and transmitted as a series of zeros and ones. Learners explore how to represent numbers using just these two symbols, through a binary system of cards.

Computers store drawings, photographs, and other pictures using only numbers. Through this activity, learners decode numbers to create pictures using the same process that computers use.

Computers are often used to put lists into some sort of order—for example, names into alphabetical order, appointments or e-mail by date, or items in numerical order.

In this computer science activity about finite-state automaton (on page 45 of the PDF), learners use a map and choose various pathways to find Treasure Island.

Learners test their memory and ability to learn memory strategies in this game. Partners start with an array of poker chips, coins, or paper squares on the table.

In this activity, learners make their own encrypted code to pass along secret messages using a printable cipher wheel.

When a lot of people share one network (such as cars using roads, or messages getting through the Internet), there is the possibility that competing processes will create a “deadlock," or an interrupt

In this activity, learners play a game similar to Hangman by guessing a secret phrase to understand how computer scientists measure the amount of "information" in a document.

Even fast computers are limited to how quickly they can solve problems. One way to speed things up is to use several computers at once.