The Badge Archive

Computers Connect

Fulfills Step 3 of GSUSA Daisy Cybersecurity Basics badge requirements.

Info Needed for the badge requirements: A computer by itself cannot talk to other computers, search the internet, or download information. Computers are connected to each other through a computer network. The basic connections are made with wires. A wire can connect one computer to another, and all the communication and information goes through the wire.

Wireless connections are also common. Our voice travels through the air on sound waves we can’t see, but our ears can receive the sound, and we hear what someone else says. Information (or data) is sent through the air on specific waves we can’t see or hear, but a computer can have a receiver that “hears” or detects the information (or data). A wire connection needs a wire connected between computer 1 and computer 2 so they can send and receive data. A wireless connection needs a receiving device in both computer 1 and computer 2 so they can send and receive data.

Items Needed

  • 1 String/Yarn approx. 2 feet in length for each scout
  • 1 String/Yarn approx. 4 feet in length for each scout

Instructions

  1. Set Up the Activity
    • Give each scout two pieces of string or yarn: one 2 feet long and one 4 feet long. They will use the 2-foot piece first but hold both throughout the activity.
  2. Build a Human Computer Network
    • One scout begins as Computer 1, holding a string in each hand.
    • Another scout, Computer 2, connects by grabbing the other end of one of Computer 1’s strings while still holding their own strings.
    • A third scout, Computer 3, connects by grabbing one of Computer 2’s strings. Point out that Computer 1 and Computer 3 are now indirectly connected through Computer 2.
  3. Expand the Network
    • Invite all scouts to join the network, connecting one by one to form a long chain.
    • Explain that if Computer 1 wanted to talk to the last scout in the chain, the information would pass through many other scouts before reaching them.
  4. Optimize Connections
    • Curve the chain so that the last scout connects directly to one of Computer 1’s strings. This creates shorter connections for scouts to pass information.
    • Encourage scouts to use both strings to form new connections and experiment with minimizing the number of scouts information needs to pass through.
  5. Explore Patterns
    • Look at the strings from above and notice the shapes and patterns they create.
    • Let scouts play with making different connections and ask if certain shapes or patterns make communication easier.

Note to Leaders – You can do a more detailed activity for networks with a mini lesson

Tia Kennard