Objective: 

Students will compare Roman innovations with modern computing technologies, identifying tradeoffs and discussing societal impacts.

Materials Needed:

• Printouts of Roman innovations (e.g., aqueducts, Roman law)

• Markers and poster paper

• Articles or descriptions of modern computing technologies (e.g., AI, the internet)

Steps:

• Introduction: 

  • Students explore key Roman innovations and their significance. 

  • They consider, "How did Roman technologies impact daily life and society?"

• Group Activity: 

  • In small groups, students pick one Roman innovation and one modern computing technology. 

  • They compare and contrast the two, focusing on the tradeoffs and impacts of each.

• Presentation: 

  • Groups create posters or charts showing their comparisons and share with the class.

• Discussion: 

  • Facilitate a class discussion about the similarities between historical and modern systems and their societal impacts.

Equity and Access:

Provide differentiated resources, such as templates or structured comparison charts, to support students with varying research skills.

Real-World Application:

Connect the lesson to how infrastructure (e.g., water systems) in modern cities relies on both physical engineering and computing technologies to manage resources and ensure public access.

CS Practice(s):

• Recognizing and Defining Computational Problems: Students analyze the tradeoffs in Roman and modern systems and how they solved societal problems.

• Communicating About Computing: Students articulate comparisons through presentations that explore the impact of technology on society.

Standard(s):

• CA HSS 6.7.8

• CA CS 6-8.IC.20

Objective: 

Students will design an app prototype that educates users about Roman innovations and their modern equivalents, considering tradeoffs in privacy and accessibility.

Materials Needed:

• Computers or tablets with access to a multimedia presentation tool or app prototyping software

• Access to research tools for information on Roman legacies and computing technologies

Steps:

• Introduction: 

  • Students explore and discuss Roman innovations and their lasting impact. 

  • Transition them to the idea of using technology to educate others about history.

• Group Activity: 

  • Students pair up and use a presentation or app prototyping tool to design an app that compares Roman legacies with modern computing technologies. 

  • They consider tradeoffs in accessibility, security, and privacy.

• Design and Prototyping: 

  • Each pair develops the app’s user interface, navigation, and key features. 

  • They include a privacy section explaining how the app ensures user data protection.

• Presentation and Refining: 

  • Students present their app designs to the class, explaining their decisions around privacy, security, and inclusion.

  •  Classmates provide feedback to refine their designs.

Equity and Access:

Provide a list of app prototyping tools with varying levels of complexity to accommodate students with different tech skills. Offer step-by-step guides for students needing extra support.

Real-World Application:

Discuss how real-world apps (e.g., educational apps, government websites) handle privacy, accessibility, and public engagement while maintaining user security.

CS Practice(s):

• Creating Computational Artifacts: Students design an app that compares Roman and modern technologies, focusing on user experience and security.

• Collaborating Around Computing: Students work in pairs, sharing ideas and dividing tasks to complete their app design.

Standard(s):

• CA HSS 6.7.8

• CA CS 6-8.IC.20