Coding Without a Screen
Binary Beads
Did you know computers have a secret language? Binary code is how computers talk, transform information, and process data.
Even cooler? That the entire language is just two numbers: 0s & 1s!
“01010111 01101111 01110111!”
(That’s “WOW!” in binary code)
This activity is the perfect way for kids of all ages to start speaking computer.
Suitable for students in grades K and up. Beads may present a choking hazard so supervision is needed for young children!
Materials
Beads in 3 different colors
Pipe cleaner or string
Scrap piece of paper and writing materials
BINARY BEADS: MAKE NECKLACES AND BRACELETS WITH SECRET MESSAGES
Instructions
First, write down the birthday you want to transform into code (like November 15th, 2014)
Turn the Birthday it into number format. An adult or big kid can help with this part if needed. (Ex: November 15, 2014 would be 11/15/14)
Use the binary code translation table to change the date into binary code! Take each number from the month, day, and year and find it on the translation table. You’ll find the unique combination of 0s and 1s that represent those numbers in binary code.
11 is 1011 in binary code
15 is 1111 in binary code
14 is 1110 in binary code
Now you can choose which color beads will take the place of 0s, 1, and spaces.
For our example, the full code is 1011 (space) 1111 (space) 1110
If you have blue, green, and yellow, the first part of the code might look like this: blue, green, blue, blue, yellow. (Remember, that means 11!)
Just make sure you use the same color for 0, a different color for 1, and the third color as the spaces in between.
Once you have the beads laid out you can string them onto the pipe cleaner or string! Super cool.
NEXT LEVEL: Choose a word, phrase, or secret message to turn into beads with the same binary code charts.