The Badge Archive

Fulfills Step 3 of GSUSA Junior Coding Basics badge requirements.

Info Needed for badge requirement: Many conditionals do rely on an event to “trigger” them, but they are distinct in purpose:

• Event: Something that happens. It simply announces, “This is occurring!” For example, “It starts raining” or “A button is pressed.”
• Conditional: A decision-making rule that determines what to do after the event. It asks, “Is this true or false, and what action should follow?” For example, “If it is raining (true), grab an umbrella. If it is not raining (false), wear sunglasses.”

Key Difference:

• An event doesn’t inherently make decisions—it just happens and signals something.
• A conditional steps in after an event and decides what action to take based on whether a specific condition is met.

Think of it like this:

• Event: “Someone knocks on the door.”
• Conditional: “If it’s your friend, open the door. If it’s a stranger, ask who it is.”

Most conditionals do require an event to start the process, but events alone don’t involve the “if/then” logic that defines conditionals. “If you give a mouse a cookie, then he’ll be very hyper, else he’ll be normal.” If, then statements we use all the time. Else is just an addition for what would happen if the statement doesn’t happen. If/then/else are used in coding, called conditional. If something happens then what action is taken?

Items Needed

• None – discussion only
• (Optional) Printout of Kodable’s Rock Paper Scissors Conditional handout

Instructions:

Info Needed: “If you give a mouse a cookie, then he’ll be very hyper, else he’ll be normal.” If, then statements we use all the time. Else is just an addition for what would happen if the statement doesn’t happen. If/then/else are used in coding, called conditional. If something happens then what action is taken?

Practice conditionals with a game of Rock, Paper, Scissors!

Remember that the game is based on conditionals:

• If rock and scissors are played, then rock wins
• If scissors and paper are played, then scissors wins
• If paper and rock are played, then paper win
• If the same object is played, then the round is a tie

1. Two players stand facing each other.
2. Both players make a fist with one hand.
3. Count down together. (Count “Rock, Paper, Scissors” out loud while moving your fist up and down with each word, or use “1, 2, 3”.)
4. After saying “Scissors” or “3”, both players quickly show one of three possible hand signs:
   • Rock: Keep your fist closed.
   • Paper: Open your hand flat.
   • Scissors: Extend your index and middle fingers in a V-shape.
5. Compare the hand signs to decide who wins:
   • Rock beats Scissors.
   • Scissors beats Paper.
   • Paper beats Rock.
   • If both players show the same hand sign, it’s a tie, and you play again.