In this live, interactive session, students take part in the Draw It challenge, learning how computers follow instructions exactly as they are given. Pupils break down an image into clear, step-by-step instructions and test them in real time, discovering how small gaps or unclear details can lead to very different results.
Students actively create, follow, and debug instructions during the session, working together to explore key computational thinking skills such as decomposition, algorithmic thinking, and debugging.
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Through discussion and reflection, pupils learn why precision matters in coding, problem-solving, and everyday communication. This unplugged activity requires no prior coding experience and is suitable for a wide range of abilities, making it an engaging introduction to computational thinking for all learners.
Students take on the role of "Human Computers", stepping into a world where every word is a line of code. Their challenge is to translate a complex visual image into a series of logical, step-by-step instructions—an algorithm—that someone else can follow without seeing the original picture.
As the challenge unfolds, students experience the "execution" of their code in real-time. They will see first hand how a missing detail or a vague direction can lead to a "bug" in the final drawing. By observing these outcomes, learners must think like developers: identifying errors, refining their language, and "patching" their instructions to achieve the perfect result.
With a decade of experience spanning nearly every corner of the educational landscape, Julia Trigo has done it all—from teaching high school engineering and elementary STEM to developing computer science curricula.Â
This unique perspective is her superpower as Program Manager for the AMER region at Creative Hut where she partners with school districts to bring exciting, hands-on STEAM learning to kids in and out of school settings. Working with partners across the country, she is enthusiastic about providing every student with the chance to build, code, and spark their curiosity.
By taking part in this session, students will:
> Break down a visual image into clear, step-by-step instructions.
> Understand the importance of precision when giving instructions.
> Practise decomposition, algorithmic thinking, and debugging.
> Identify and improve errors by testing and refining instructions.
