Step 1: Create an algorithm - When you make brownies you follow a recipe carefully, following steps in a certain order. Computer engineers and programmers write directions for a computer to follow, called an algorithm. When you write a computer program, you also make sure the directions, or steps, are in the right order. That's called a sequence. 

Activity: Let's pretend we are computer programmers and we write an algorithm for making brownies so a computer can do it. Use a white board and ask the girls what steps you would do to make brownies. 

Example: 

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350 degress.

Step 2: Get a large bowl. 

Step 3: Open Brownie box on the top and remove the package of Brownie Mix. 

and so on...

Step 2: Use loops to improve our algorithm - When you repeat the same action over and over that's called a loop. Programmers use loops to tell computers to repeat the steps of their programs. Loops make codes shorter, easier to write, and easier for a computer to follow.

Activity - How can we add a loop to our brownie algorithm? 

Example: Stir Brownie mix can be placed inside a loop so that this step repeats.

Step 3: Use events to make things happen

When we bake brownies we set an oven timer, when it goes off what do we do? - Right, you check to see if your brownies are done. The timer going off is an event. In the computer world, an event is an action that causes something to happen. 

Activity - What is an example of an event in our brownie algorithm? Can we write an if...then statement? 

Example: If the toothpick comes out with brownie on it, put brownie pan back in the oven.

Step 4: Learn about women's computer science - Women have built computers, written programs, and imagined new and different ways for people to use computers. Let's learn about "Grace Hopper" and how she changed the world! Play a video for girls to learn more about Grace Hopper: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fg82iV-L8ZY&t=76s

Step 5: Create your own set of commands - Let's build and code our amusement park! We'll build it using LEGO and code it using Spike Essential icon blocks. 

Activity: Divide girls into groups of 2-3 girls. Each group can pick a build from the Spike Essential App. Under Unit Plans you will find one labeled "Amazing Amusement Park". Have them follow the directions in the app to build the model. They can take turns, have each girl do every other step. Then code the build following the directions. Once they code following the directions let the girls try new code and play around with the app. They can also add to their build. At the end, they can bring their builds  together on the mat in the middle and show each other what they coded. It will look like a mini amusement park.

Step 1: What are robots? - Brief explanation of what a robot does - then ask the girls to name some robots they have seen or know of. Examples can include Roomba vacuum (takes care of a boring job).

Step 2: Test senses - Robots use their senses just like us to understand the world around them and collect information. Ask the girls to test their "robot senses".  

Activity - 5 brown bags with different objects in them -  the girls will stick their hand in the bag and guess what the object is using their "robot sensors". They can describe out loud what the object feels like to them.

Step 3: Algorithm Snack - Computer engineers and programmers create algorithms which are step-by-step instructions to make a robot act. 

Activity - Let's pretend we are robots and you need to create a program to help us eat our goldfish snack. As a group write an algorithm for eating a bag of goldfish. Mention what a "loop" is and how it can help an algorithm. 

Example: 

Step 1: Pick up bag with one hands.

Step 2: Open the top of the bag using two hands.

Step 3: Hold the bag of goldfish with left hand, reach into bag with right hand.

And so on....

Steps 4/5: Code a Brownie Helper Robot - 

Activity: The girls sold SO many cookies they need to build a robot to help them deliver the cookies! Build a robot in pairs using the Spike Essential kit and code it to deliver cookies to a house. Girls can work in groups of 2-3 and they should make sure they write down their algorithms. 

Our team drew a house and a solid black line for the girls to have their robot follow on a large piece of white posterboard. We made small boxes of cookies by printing tiny pictures of Girl Scout Cookies and taping them to the top of a 2x4 lego brick with a smooth 2x4 lego plate on top.

We placed the Lego cookie packages in front of the robot and they had to push them to the house following the black line. It was really fun and the troop learned a lot!