Stand-alone Mini Lessons to Support Teaching Data Science & Coding
Introduction
On this page, we’ve included a couple mini lessons that can help you introduce data science and coding to your students. They are not specific to subject and can be modified depending on your age group.
Coding activity: Pretend to be computers
Overview
This movement-based activity introduces students to the concept of coding by having them pretend to be computers and direct each other across a room using only specific “code” commands.
Learning Outcomes
Through modeling how computers work in person, students will gain an understanding of the steps required in coding. Namely, a computer can only understand specific code, and it must be written in a specific order. Code must also be run all at once as opposed to stopping and starting it.
Instructions
Place a few chairs on one side of the room. Have students stand on the other side of the room. For a challenge, place extra obstacles between students and the chairs.
Students get into groups of two and choose one person to be the “computer” and one to be the “coder”. The “coder” writes down code commands (see command options in the presentation and handout) to direct the “computer” across the room to sit in the chair.
After ALL the commands are written down, the “computer” reads the paper and follows the instructions.
Switch roles and discuss!
Materials
Slides
Handout