Objective: 

Students will model how early Americans disassembled and transported structures during the building of the Transcontinental Railroad by designing and deconstructing a structure, simulating the transmission of data packets across a network.

Materials Needed: 

• Building blocks or similar materials

• containers (bags or boxes) 

• Pencils

• Paper

Steps:

• Introduction: 

  • Discuss the significance of the Transcontinental Railroad and how settlers dismantled buildings to transport them across long distances. 

  • Explain that this is similar to how information is broken down into smaller packets and transmitted over networks.

• Activity:

  • In small groups, students build a model structure, write instructions for reassembly, then deconstruct it. 

  • They place the pieces into separate containers, representing packets of information. 

  • Each group then exchanges containers, following the instructions to rebuild the structure at a "new location."

• Discussion: 

  • After the activity, lead a discussion on how this process mirrors the way information is broken into packets, sent across networks, and reassembled.

Equity and Access: 

Provide visual aids and pre-drawn instruction templates for students who need additional guidance. Pair students with diverse skill levels to promote peer learning.

Real-World Connection: 

Relate the activity to modern shipping logistics and digital communication, such as how online orders are processed and tracked in pieces across different systems.

CS Practice(s): 

• Developing and Using Abstractions: Students model network transmission utilizing physical items. 

• Collaborating Around Computing: Students work together to solve problems in reassembling the structure.

Standard(s): 

• CA HSS 4.4.1

• CA HSS 4.4.2

• CA CS 3-5.NI.4

Objective: 

Students will use Scratch or another coding platform to simulate how data packets are transmitted across networks, tying it to the communication challenges during the expansion of the Transcontinental Railroad.

Materials Needed: 

• Computers

Steps:

• Introduction: 

  • Students learn how the construction of the Transcontinental Railroad improved communication across the U.S. and how settlers dismantled buildings to transport them across long distances. 

  • Compare this to how data is transmitted today in packets over the internet, where information is broken into parts and sent through multiple devices.

• Activity: 

  • Students will use a coding platform to create a simulation where a message is broken into packets, sent across various "stations" (represented by sprites), and reassembled at the destination. 

  • Each sprite will represent a different point along the communication network, similar to the stations along the railroad.

• Presentation: 

  • Students present their projects, explaining how their program demonstrates the transmission and reassembly of packets.

Equity and Access: 

Provide starter projects with basic coding blocks for students who need extra support. Use groupings that mix students with varying levels of coding experience.

Real-World Connection: 

Connect the lesson to modern internet communications, such as email or video streaming, where data is sent in packets and reassembled, similar to the dismantling and reassembling of buildings during the railroad era.

CS Practice(s): 

• Creating Computational Artifacts: Students use coding to simulate how data moves across networks. 

Standard(s): 

• CA HSS 4.4.1

• CA HSS 4.4.2

• CA CS 3-5.NI.4