Relay programming is a fun and exciting way to learn about computer science without using a computer! It’s a great activity to do when you need a break from sitting still and want to move around while learning something new.
In relay programming, everyone is divided into two teams. Each team forms a line, like in a relay race. The first person in each line runs to the other side of the room, where there are two things waiting: a drawing on graph paper and a blank piece of paper. Their job is to look at the drawing and write down the first step needed to recreate it on the blank paper. Once they’ve done that, they run back to their team and tag the next person in line.
The next person then runs to the drawing, writes down the next step, and runs back to tag the next teammate. This continues until the drawing is completely recreated on the blank paper.
This activity teaches some important lessons about programming and teamwork. First, it shows how important it is to check your work and make sure it’s correct. This is called debugging in computer science. If one person makes a mistake, it can affect the whole team’s work, just like in real coding projects.
It also teaches you to pay attention to what your teammates have done. You need to understand their steps to continue the drawing correctly. This is similar to proofreading, where you check your work and others’ work to make sure everything is right.
Did you know that debugging is a real term used in computer science? It comes from an actual bug—a moth—that was found in a computer in 1947, causing it to malfunction. Since then, finding and fixing errors in code has been called “debugging.”
Relay programming is not just about learning to code; it’s also about learning to work together and communicate well with others. These skills are important in many areas of life, not just in computer science!
So, next time you want to learn about coding in a fun way, try relay programming. It’s a great way to get moving, think critically, and work as a team!
Imagine you are creating a new relay programming course for your classmates. Draw a map of the course, including where the drawing and blank paper will be placed. Think about how you can make it challenging and fun. Share your design with the class and explain why you chose that layout.
Work with a partner to create a simple drawing on graph paper. Then, write a set of instructions to recreate it. Swap instructions with another pair and try to follow their steps. If you find any mistakes, act as a “debugging detective” and correct them. Discuss what changes you made and why.
Form small groups and create a list of qualities that make a good team. Discuss how these qualities apply to relay programming. Then, role-play different scenarios where teamwork might be tested, and come up with solutions to overcome these challenges.
Create a unique piece of art using graph paper. Write down the steps needed to recreate your art. Display your art in a “gallery” and let classmates try to recreate it using your instructions. See how closely their version matches yours and discuss any differences.
Research the history of debugging and the story of the first “bug.” Create a short presentation or poster to share with the class. Include interesting facts and explain why debugging is an essential part of computer science.
Relay programming is an engaging lesson that conveys much more than just computer science concepts. When students start to feel restless, this activity adds excitement to the learning experience.
In this activity, participants are divided into two groups, each forming a line. The first person in each group runs to the other side of the room, where a graph paper drawing and a blank piece of paper are waiting. They write down the first step to creating that image, then run back to their line and tag the next player, who continues by writing the next step.
This exercise effectively illustrates the importance of debugging, proofreading one’s own work, and checking the contributions of teammates. It quickly highlights how crucial it is to be careful in coding, especially when the success of the entire team relies on each individual’s efforts.
Relay – A device or program that passes information from one place to another. – The computer uses a relay to send data from the keyboard to the screen.
Programming – The process of writing instructions for a computer to follow. – In programming class, we learned how to create a simple game using code.
Computer – An electronic device that can store, process, and retrieve data. – We use a computer to research information for our science project.
Science – The study of the natural world using experiments and observation. – Computer science helps us understand how technology works and improves our coding skills.
Teamwork – Working together with others to achieve a common goal. – Our group used teamwork to solve the coding challenge in class.
Debugging – The process of finding and fixing errors in a computer program. – We spent the afternoon debugging our code to make sure the program ran smoothly.
Coding – Writing instructions in a language that a computer can understand. – I enjoy coding because it allows me to create my own websites and games.
Drawing – Creating pictures or diagrams, often used to plan out a program or design. – Before coding, we made a drawing of how our app would look on paper.
Paper – A material used for writing or drawing, often used to plan projects before using a computer. – We sketched our ideas on paper before starting the coding project.
Activity – An action or task that is done for a specific purpose. – Our favorite classroom activity is building simple robots with coding instructions.
