National Center for Women and Information Technology (NCWIT)


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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.

1 cent - $1 per student Ages 8 - 14 45 to 60 minutes
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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

1 cent - $1 per student Ages 8 - 14 45 to 60 minutes
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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.

$1 - $5 per group Ages 8 - 14 45 to 60 minutes
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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.

$1 - $5 per group Ages 11 - 14 45 to 60 minutes
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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.

$1 - $5 per student Ages 8 - 14 45 to 60 minutes
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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.

1 cent - $1 per student Ages 8 - 14 45 to 60 minutes