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  • - Button batteries can be very dangerous if swallowed by children or animals.
    - Always store button batteries out of reach and ensure they are securely placed in the project.
    - If you suspect that a button battery has been swallowed, seek medical help immediately.

Dive into the world of computer science and art! In this fun project, you’ll learn how to draw a house and explore some essential computer science concepts. Let’s get started!

Understanding Computer Science

Computer science is a field that involves learning how computers work and how to use them to solve problems. It’s like being a detective and an inventor all at once! Here’s what you’ll discover:

  1. Algorithms: These are sets of instructions that tell a computer exactly what to do, step by step, just like the steps (below) we will follow to draw our house.
  2. Sequencing: The order of these steps is crucial. We must do things in the correct sequence to get the desired outcome, similar to how we will draw our house in a specific order.
  3. Decomposition: This is about breaking down big problems into smaller, more manageable parts, just like how we will draw a house by starting with simple shapes.
  4. Abstraction and Functions: Sometimes, we use the same set of instructions for different tasks. In our drawing, we will use the concept of a rectangle for both the door and window.
  5. Creativity and Problem-Solving: Computer science also involves thinking creatively to find new solutions to challenges, much like deciding where to place the window in your house drawing.
  6. Binary Code: Just like we use letters to form words, computers use a special language called binary code. It’s made of only two numbers: 1 and 0. In our house project, when the LED is on, it’s like the computer saying “1,” and when it’s off, it’s like saying “0.” Computers use these 1s and 0s in long strings to communicate, store information, and perform tasks. By turning our LED on and off, we’re using the basic concept of binary code, which is the foundation of how all computers work. This simple on/off pattern is the core of how computers process and share information, showing how even the most complex computer tasks start with the basics of binary code.

Exciting Careers Using Computer Science

These skills are not just fun to learn; they can lead to fascinating careers when you grow up:

  • Game Developer: Create interactive video games.
  • Robotics Engineer: Design and build robots.
  • App Developer: Develop applications for smartphones and tablets.
  • Web Designer: Create websites with both function and style.
  • AI Specialist: Work with artificial intelligence to create smart machines.
  • Cloud Technician: Manage and support cloud computing systems that store data and run applications.

Ready to Draw and Learn?

Grab your drawing tools and put on your thinking cap! Follow our easy steps to draw your house and learn about computer science at the same time. You’re taking your first steps toward understanding how computers work and maybe even using these skills in your future career!

Excited to begin? Scroll down for the instructions and let your journey into computer science and art commence!

Required Materials

  • canvas
  • LED
  • coin/button battery (see warnings above)
  • Electrical Tape
  • markers

Step-By-Step Instructions

Step 1

Use markers to draw a house using the algoritum (steps) below:

Draw a Big Square: This is your house. Make sure all sides are equal.

🟥 Big Square: (= house)

Step 2

Draw a Triangle on Top: This is the roof. It should sit right on top of your square.

🔺 Triangle on Top: (= roof)

Step 3

Draw a Small Rectangle Inside the Square: This is your door. Make sure it’s at the bottom of the square so people can go in.

🚪 Small Rectangle Inside Square: (= door)

Step 4

Draw Another Small Rectangle Inside the Square: This is a window. You can put it anywhere you like on the square, but not on the door!

🪟 Another Small Rectangle: (= window)

Step 5

Lighting Up the Window:

  • Take a small LED light.
  • Push the LED through the canvas at the spot where you drew the window.

 

Step 6

Adding the Battery: When the battery is connected, the LED lights up, similar to how binary code works in computers. Binary code uses ‘on’ (1) and ‘off’ (0) to communicate, just like our LED turning on and off.

  • Turn the canvas to the back side where the LED legs (wires) are sticking out.
  • Place a button battery behind the canvas. Make sure the positive side (marked with a ‘+’) touches the longer leg of the LED, and the negative side (usually marked with a ‘-‘ or rougher texture) touches the shorter leg.

🚨 Important Safety Message for Families:

  • Button batteries can be very dangerous if swallowed by children or animals.
  • Always store button batteries out of reach and ensure they are securely placed in the project.
  • If you suspect that a button battery has been swallowed, seek medical help immediately.

Step 7

Securing the Connection:

  • Wrap the LED legs and the button battery with electrical tape to secure the connection.
  • Gently bend the legs to sit flat against the back of the canvas. Secure with more electrical tape.
  • Ensure the legs do not cross each other.