SLJ Wk 3 Day 2: Cracking The Code

Images Attribution 1
Images Attribution 2

Activity 1: Through Careful Observation [4 points]

There are many incredible people in history who have changed the world. Some have changed what we know about the world and about how it works. We often call these people ‘scientists’ or ‘theorists.’ Famous scientists include Sir Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin, Albert Einstein, Katherine Freese, Maria Goeppert Mayer and Sau Lan Wu.

Each of these scientists came up with a new theory (idea) about how things work. Much of what they discovered came from observing (watching) things closely.


For this activity, we would like you to select one of the pictures below and to study or observe it closely. What do you see?

On your blog, describe the painting in detail. What do you see when you look at it? Please give us as much detail as you can!



Activity 2: Overcoming Adversity [4 points]

Stephen Hawking (1942-2018) was an English scientist who was interested in studying the origin (beginning) of the universe. When he was just 21 years old, he was diagnosed with Motor Neuron Disease and, over time, he lost the ability to walk and talk. He needed to use a wheelchair to move around and a computer to help him to talk. The computer made his voice sound a bit funny but, most importantly, it meant he could still communicate with people.

Despite his diagnosis, Stephen Hawking lived a long and very productive life. He showed great determination and perseverance because he didn’t let his physical challenges stop him. He didn’t quit. Instead, he ‘overcame the odds’ and achieved a huge amount in his life.


Image Attribution: Stephen Hawking at NASA's StarChild Learning Center, NASA, Public Domain

For this activity, we would like to hear about a time when you, or someone you know, experienced a challenge and overcame it.

On your blog, recount a time when you or someone you know experienced a challenge and overcame it.




Activity 3: Hidden Figures [6 points]



Ada Lovelace, born in 1815, is considered to be the ‘first computer programmer’, even though computers had not yet been invented. She was called a computer programmer because she worked out a series of algorithms (instructions) that a machine could use to compute (calculate) difficult maths questions.

Katherine Johnson was another brilliant mathematician who worked with NASA - the North American Space Association. NASA was responsible for sending rockets and people into space. It was Katherine’s job to check all of the calculations that the engineers and astronauts used when designing the spacecraft and flying them into space. In 2016, a movie was made about Katherine Johnson and the other women who worked at NASA during this time. It is called ‘Hidden Figures.’ In the movie, the women had to learn how to do basic coding when NASA started using computers. 

Have you ever tried coding?


For this activity we would like you to give coding a try. Click on the link for the website: code.org. If you try an activity and it is too easy, try a harder level!

On your blog, post a screenshot of your completed shape. Underneath the shape tell us what you thought of the coding app. Is it good? Why/why not?