Problem Solving is Fun

Pattern recognition is fun 

Some things you need to know:

• Link to the activity is HERE.

• This activity does not require computers. 

• Connect pattern recognition to some key vocabulary by noticing where patterns involve sequence, selection, and iteration. 

  • Sequence: order matters

  • Selection: some action happens only if something is true

  • Iteration: some things are repeated 

• You could really extend patterns to any subject area - patterns do not need to be visual, they could be musical, in science, in math, in history/social studies, and in ELA via story styles or Nursery Rhymes.

• Here is a link to a large booklet.  This activity was from the pattern recognition section of this booklet, in case you are looking for more ideas!  

Networking is everywhere!  

Think about the multiple paths you can take to move between locations in your school, neighborhood, or in West Hartford.

Some things you need to know:

• Link to the activity is HERE

• This activity does not require computers.

• This is really a “Minimal Spanning Tree” problem, a problem that is very difficult for a computer to solve.  Typically, the question would be, “what is the least number of resources (like steps) I can take to connect everything in my network?”  Yes, this is a networking question, but it is also connected to how we decide to allocate resources like electricity or water.  

• This is one of several activities in Google’s CS First collection of unplugged activities.  If you like to see more, click HERE. 

Code a PSA (Public Service Announcement)

Some things you need to know:

• This tutorial walks students through how to code public service announcements.  

• These teacher notes were created to help you.

• This app is created using Python, a text-based language, so details like spelling and punctuation really matter.

• Students new to coding could finish the tutorial which contains some ideas for how to customize the app.  Students could also create in their own way as they go, depending on their comfort level.

• If students want to find different images, they can browse images by clicking the green "Image Library" button and finding the name of the image that they prefer to use.

Using Chatbots / LLMs for Good

This is somewhat advanced, but it is really good - using LLMs to solve problems!

Some things you need to know:

• Here is the lesson. You'll need to read it and come up with a plan ahead of doing this with students. 

• There are several videos that you can watch with students to understand key parts.

• You do not need to do all steps (omit the manifesto, for example), focus on the videos and code.