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Unit of work

Introduction to cryptography

Computational thinking, History, Programming | MakeCode, Python | 11-14 yrs

Lesson 1

What is cryptography?

Introduction

Students learn how encryption and ciphers have been used over time, especially in World War Two, before cracking and creating their own ciphers.

Learning objectives

  • To know what cryptography is and how it has been used over time to encrypt data and information
  • To create and solve ciphers using logical reasoning
  • To appreciate the importance of code breaking in World War Two through learning about Alan Turing

You will need

Downloadable resources:

  • Lesson plan
  • Lesson slides
  • Student handouts
    • code cracking sheet
    • code cracking stickers

Other resources:

Paper - rough

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Lesson plan