Algorithms are Everywhere!

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Computer Science Basics: Algorithms

Which one of these definitions have we learned about?

1. "A large tropical parrot with very long and beautiful feathers" 2. "A list of steps that you can follow to finish a task" 3. "An incredibly stinky flower that only blooms only once a year" ... and what is the word we learned?

What did you do to get ready for school this morning?

Regina Meeks Wilson STEM Academy Verizon Instructional Technology Coach

In this lesson you will learn that algorithms are everywhere in our daily lives.

Students will be able to:

Decompose (break down) large activities (the task or problem) into a series of smaller events (steps to complete the task). Arrange sequential events into their logical order.

An algorithm is a detailed step-by-step set of instructions for solving a problem or completing a task.

A recipe for making food is an algorithm. The method you use to solve addition or long division is an algorithm. The process of washing clothes is an algorithm.

Even your morning routine could be considered an algorithm!

After all, it is a set of specific steps to complete a task.

How many of you were able to follow your classmates' algorithm to make a sandwich? Did they leave anything out?

What would you have added to make the algorithm even better?

You can use algorithms to help describe things that people do every day. In this activity, we will create an algorithm for making a sandwich. 

Write down the steps when you are making a sandwich.

Let's Apply What We've Learned Homework

Come up with an algorithm to complete a task. You can pick any task that you like, but it must be something that people do in real life.

Name

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