Computers are a part of everyday lives. Your troop can learn about coding while earning the Girl Scout Daisy Coding for Good badge.
*This post contains affiliate links.
Image created by the author in Canva
Step 1 Create Algorithms for a Computer That Will Follow a Sequence
Ask the girls what they know about computers and how they work. How does it know what to do? Also discuss how other things are computers, just in a different form. An iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and other handheld devices are also kinds of computers.
The girls need to understand that while computers figure things out, it is people (Programmers) who program the computer to do things. With this badge, coding is for good-to do good things.
Computer programmers tell the computer to do things in code, which is a sequence. People do things in sequence all the time. Do you put your shoes on before your socks? Do you put your toothbrush in your mouth and then put on the toothpaste? Can you frost an unbaked cupcake or does it need to bake first?
For this activity, you can have the girls make a simple no bake treat. You can decide on what that is based on any allergies or food restrictions you might have. Each girl gets her own set of items and needs to follow the directions you give in sequence.
Here are a few fun and easy recipes to try.
Oreo Dirt Cups (use Snack Pack puddings and give one or two to each girl)
Step 2 Learn About Women in Computer Science
Ada Lovelace is the person who invented computer programming. Here is a great min-biography that you can read to your girls after they have had their treat.
Step 3 Explore Sorting Algorithms
The girls can practice sorting with colorful objects like Legos, sorting bears, beads, or any colorful toy that you have around the house. Give the girls directions on what to sort. For example, tell them to sort by color, shape, a pattern, etc.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Please share your comments below!