The main objective was to prove to them that anyone can code! That is the main motto for the EU Code Week for years now.
Our activity lasted two days and had several phases.
I Introduction of the binary system
II Representation of the alphabet with binary code
III Transforming the initials of your name into binary code
IV Realization, with different materials, of nice bracelets
V Evaluation, students' feedback, sharing impressions.
At the beginning of the activity, my students have already known two facts:
1. that we commonly use the classic decimal system with the ten digits from 0 to 9
2. that computers use binary system and understand only two symbols because they either receive the signal or not:
0, which corresponds to the power failure (so 0 = OFF)
1, which corresponds instead to the presence of voltage (then 1 = ON)
Then I told them that using only these two digits, we can however represent not only all possible numbers, but also all the words, images, videos, sounds... all types of digital. They were surprised, especially when I split the papers with Binary Decoder Key.
1. Students learned that data can be represented and stored in more than one way.
2. "Binary bracelets" is very inexpensive STEM craft program that appealed to boys and girls.
3. EU Code week opens new horizons to all who want to try something new, and they even don’t need to know how to code. It doesn’t matter if you have no experience in coding because you can find so many different online or offline (unplugged) activities about first steps and anyone can enter to this world of miracles.
At the end, I'd tell everyone: "You just need to accept the invitation EU Code Week is offering and it can be the life-changing experience. Stay tuned!