STEM activities have become a large part of children’s library programming, from coding to incorporating math into storytime. Admittedly, I struggled with STEM concepts in my own childhood, so I always found it to be an intimidating field and I know I am not the only one. In planning STEM programs, I try to make it as adventurous to the kids and low-prep as possible, which is how Code Breakers Club began. In this post, I will highlight what the program is, how each session works, and some resources for you to start your own program at your library!
What is Code Breakers Club?
Code Breakers Club is a STEM program for children in grades 3-6. In each session, children learn about different types of code breaking, from morse code to Caesar ciphers. This is a fun program for the kids because not only are they gaining skills, but they feel like they are spies in training. Watch out, James Bond!
What happens in each session?
Each session is 45 minutes and consists of a brief lesson on a different type of code breaking, practice codes to solve as a team, and we complete the session with the kids creating their own codes to break. Our first session is on reverse the word and the last is about Caesar Ciphers. Here is the outline for our first session to give you an idea:
- Brief Introduction: Codes are ways for people to secretly communicate with others. For example, spies would use secret codes to ensure enemies do not know their secret plans. Encryption is the process of solving secret codes. Each week we will take a look at different kinds of codes. Today, we will start with reversing words.
- Group Examples
- Ew evol skoob (We love books)
- Kaerb eht edoc (Break the code)
- Ereh si na ysae eno (Here is an easy one)
- Etirw ruoy etirovaf doof ni esrever edoc (Write your favorite food in reverse code)
- Have children create their own codes and solve each other’s codes
What materials do you need for this program?
Just pencils and paper! Sometimes you will need to provide guides depending on the difficulty of the type of code breaking, such as the morse code alphabet.
This is a really easy program to do with kids, even for those of us that are STEM-challenged! Here are some resources to get you started:
What are some easy STEM activities you have done at your library?
This post is intended to address the following ALSC Competency: III: Programming Skills.
The post Code Breakers Club!: A STEM Program for Children appeared first on ALSC Blog.
STEM activities have become a large part of children’s library programming, from coding to incorporating math into storytime. Admittedly, I struggled with STEM concepts in my own childhood, so I always found it to be an intimidating field and I know I am not the only one. In planning STEM programs, I try to make it as adventurous to the kids and low-prep as possible, which is how Code Breakers Club began. In this post, I will highlight what the program is, how each session works, and some resources for you to start your own program at your library! What is Code Breakers Club? Code Breakers Club is a STEM program for children in grades 3-6. In each session, children learn about different types of code breaking, from morse code to Caesar ciphers. This is a fun program for the kids because not only are they gaining skills, but they…
The post Code Breakers Club!: A STEM Program for Children appeared first on ALSC Blog. Read More
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