Year 8

Read an article or extract about Alan Turing’s codebreaking work during World War II and his invention of the early computer. Use a source such as a BBC Bitesize biography or a short book extract from “Alan Turing: The Enigma”. As you read, highlight any unfamiliar words and look up their meanings. Afterwards, write a short paragraph explaining who Alan Turing was, what the Enigma machine was, and why breaking it was important to ending the war. Try to include at least one surprising fact that you didn’t know before. 

Listen to a podcast or audio clip about the basics of cyber security.  A good starting point is Fun Kids Science Weekly or CBBC’s Bitesize Revision: Cyber Security episode. As you listen, jot down three interesting facts you learn and one question you would ask the speaker if you could. Pay attention to how cyber threats happen and how people protect themselves online today. 

Watch a video that explains how cyber threats like hacking, phishing, or viruses work. Start with BBC Bitesize’s video on Cyber Security or look for an animated video from organisations like National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC). After watching, imagine you are a cyber safety officer in your school. Create a five-question quiz to test your classmates on what they know about staying safe online. Include at least one question about how to recognise a scam, one about passwords, and one about protecting your identity.

Develop your Python programming skills by challenging yourself to complete as many tasks on Snakify as you can.

Research how binary is used in the real world, especially in computer hardware, images, or sound. For example, explore how binary stores black-and-white images using just 1s and 0s. Use sites like BBC Bitesize or CSUnplugged to find real-life examples. Summarise what you learned by writing a short report or making a fact file. Include examples of where binary appears in everyday life (like QR codes, barcodes, or WiFi signals).

Visit Take a virtual tour of Bletchley Park, the famous wartime site where Alan Turing worked, or explore an online exhibit from The National Museum of Computing. Look at photos, watch videos, and read about the people and machines involved in codebreaking. Imagine you are a young worker at Bletchley Park in 1943. Write a diary entry describing what your day might have been like—what did you see, hear, or feel? What were you working on, and why was it important? Include details about secrecy and the atmosphere of wartime Britain.