Cryptology with micro:bits

This activity will introduce the Caesar Cipher to students on makecode.micro:bit.org. Students will explore the Caesar Cipher using words. Students will than elaborate to make connections between the Caesar Cipher and translations in functions.

Author: Elizabeth Busch
Subjects: Computer Science, Mathematics
Grade Levels: 6-8, 9-12
CS Domain: Algorithms and Programming
CS Principles: Collaborating Around Computing, Recognizing and Defining Computational Problems, Communicating About Computing
Standards: MA.912.F.2.1 Identify the effect on the graph or table of a given function after replacing f(x) by f(x) + k, for specific values of k.
Materials: Website, micro:bit, makecode.microbit.org
Tags: Cybersecurity, GenCyber, micro:bit

OVERVIEW

Activity Overview:

This activity will introduce the Caesar Cipher to students on makecode.micro:bit.org. Students will explore the Caesar Cipher using words. Students will than elaborate to make connections between the Caesar Cipher and translations in functions.

Meta description

  • Grade Level : 6-8, 9-12
  • Subject Area: Computer Science, Mathematics
  • Cybersecurity Concept:
    • Keep it Simple
  • Computer Science Domains:
    • Algorithms and Programming
  • Computer Science Principles:
    • Collaborating Around Computing, Recognizing and Defining Computational Problems, Communicating About Computing
  • Materials:
    • Website, micro:bit, makecode.microbit.org
  • Considerations: +

Lesson Plan

Overview

This activity will introduce the Caesar Cipher to students on makecode.micro:bit.org. Students will explore the Caesar Cipher using words. Students will than elaborate to make connections between the Caesar Cipher and translations in functions.

PRE/POST-TEST

What is a shift cipher? What happens to a function when it is translated? How are translations and the Caesar Cipher related?

OBJECTIVES

Student will be able to explain how the Caesar Cipher and translations in functions relate to each other.

CATCH/HOOK

Students will be given a code to decipher that is encrypted using a shift cipher. This lesson will follow the Cryptology lesson.

ACTIVITY INSTRUCTIONS

The Caesar Cipher hex file will be shared with students to import into their makecode account. After the cipher is explained, students will have time to explore it themselves. After 5-10 minutes students will be asked to share any revelations. After discussion, I will share another file that contains an algebraic function. Students will have time to explore individually and then share out as a group.

REVIEW

We will wrap up by comparing translations of functions to the Caesar cipher.

STANDARDS

MA.912.F.2.1 Identify the effect on the graph or table of a given function after replacing f(x) by f(x) + k, for specific values of k. FL