The SEPjr Program

Let's Try: On/Off Button Activity

(My Magical Computer)

Objectives

• Learn how Project Based Learning can help teach students about computer science.
• Learn how Project Based Learning connects to teaching the CS Practices, Analyzing, Prototyping and Communicating.
• Learn different strategies for teaching computer science w/ Project Based Learning.
• Learn about curriculum options for teaching w/ Project Based Learning.

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Reflection Questions (p. 2)

1. How do you use Project Based Learning in your classroom?
2. How can Project Based Learning help teach computer science?
3. What makes a successful driving/essential question for computer science?
4. What are some examples of opportunities for students to drive this work?
5. How do the CS Practices connect to Project Based Learning?
6. What additional strategies can you use when teaching CS with PBL?

Computer Science is the…

Let’s Try: On/Off Button Activity

My Magical Computer

Hello Ruby - On/Off Button Activity (p. 14)

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• Previously referred to as My Magical Computer
• Designed to challenge students to think of what would happen if they turn an everyday object into a computer.
• What if your backpack was a computer - what would it do? What if the journal became a computer? How would you use one of these objects if they were computers?
• Students can build on their understanding that the general description of input→ process→ output of data is what makes a computer a computer.
• While creating their own prototype of a computer system.

Essential/Driving Question: What makes a computer a computer?

Code.org -What makes a computer a computer?

GCF Global - What is a computer?

Find one object in your home that does not have any technology or computer components.

Let’s Try: My Magical Computer

• There are many things around us that are hidden computers.
• For example, new smartwatches connect to the Internet to get weather information. Many digital cameras allow you to share photos immediately over wifi. Even some fridges and cars are computers!
• Imagine that you have a magical power button and it has the ability to turn any object into a computer.
• Choose one non-computer item from your house to power on.
• Start to think about what your new computer might do.

Let’s Try: My Magical Computer (p. 20)

• Identify what you are making into a computer.
• Come up with a name for your new computer.
• Describe what the computer does when you press the on/off button.
• Identify any sensors
• Draw a picture of you using the computer.

On Your Own: On/Off Button Activity

Design & Share Your Magical Computer

In Your Workbook (p. 20)

• Share what you made into a computer.
• Share the name for your new computer.
• Describe what the computer does when you press the on/off button.
• Identify any sensors and what they do.
• Share the picture of you using the computer.

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Wrap Up: On/Off Button Activity

My Magical Computer

On/Off Button Version

This symbol is comprised of a 1, indicating "on", and a 0, indicating "off". It was originally designed to indicate "standby", or a low power state that was neither truly on or off. At that time, a 1 inside of a 0 was the power symbol.

Fun Fact: Power Symbol

Next Steps

• Try either the On/Off Button Activity or My Magical Computer lesson with your students.
• Think about how you might adapt or modify the lesson for your students.
• Did you change the essential/driving question?
• Did you find other ways for students to drive the work?
• Watch the next video in the series “Project Based Learning & The CS Practices”.

Check Us Out

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Checkout participating teachers learning, photos, and videos on social media! Use @CSForAllNYC #SEPjrNYC

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Join The Conversation

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Join the SEPjr Microsoft Teams Group to help stay connected and up to date with resources, opportunities and much more.

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Thank you from the CS4All Team!

We look forward to supporting you and your cs program!