Binary Code STEM Challenge

This STEM Challenge provides an excellent introduction to binary code.  Although students are now learning more and doing more with computer programming (coding), they often have little idea of how computers communicate.   Before beginning this challenge, take time to discuss some key points with your students.  It is recommended that you let them read the article Computer Coding is Cool before you discuss these points.   

In this STEM Challenge, the initial task in this challenge is for students to use their understanding of binary code to construct a name bracelet.  Using dark colored beads to represent 0’s and light colored bead to represent 1’s, they construct a bracelet to represent their first name, initials, or nickname. The final task in this challenge is for students to artistically represent the importance of binary code as the fundamental language of computers.  They can do this by showing bytes of code in creative ways or they can represent an important thing, person or idea in binary code.  Students can also use things like candy, beans, buttons, coins or even small vegetables to represent the 0’s and 1’s of the code.  We want students to be aware that, while computers use a bunch of different codes like bar codes and QR codes, they are fundamentally programmed with binary code – patterns of on’s and off’s.