14. How Computers Work
Hardware Software
Devices or physical
objects that are required
to make a computer
work.
Collection of instructions
that lets someone
interact with a computer
and tells the computer
how to complete a
specific task
44. Dash Challenge
1. Connect the marker to
Dash using LEGOs and
rubber bands.
2. Make Dash draw a circle.
3. Pull a card out of the
bowl to find out what
you need to code Dash to
draw next.
46. SPRK+ Challenge
1. SPRK must start at “x.”
2. Code SPRK+ to get as close to the center
of the target as possible.
3. You can knock other balls out of the way.
4. People cannot touch either SPRK+ at any
time once the game has begun.
5. Free driving a SPRK+ means automatic
elimination and losing iPad privileges.
6. Each game has three rounds. During each
round, each team has two minutes to
write their next set of code. The team that
went last will set the countdown timer for
the opposing team.
7. Play 3 times and record which team wins.
8. After the 3rd game, each team gets to add
one obstacle before each new game.
Editor's Notes
Immersive, computer-generated environments
Main circuit board; Holds CPU, memory, connectors for drives and expansion cards, and lets every part of your computer communicate with other parts.
On the motherboard, computer’s brain. Every time you press a key or click the mouse you are sending instructions to the CPU.
Silicon chip inside
Covered by a heat sink that absorbs the heart from the CPU so your computer doesn’t overheat.
Faster the processor is, the more instructions it can process per second (normally in millions or billions of instructions per second)
On the motherboard, computer’s brain. Every time you press a key or click the mouse you are sending instructions to the CPU.
Silicon chip inside
Covered by a heat sink that absorbs the heart from the CPU so your computer doesn’t overheat.
Faster the processor is, the more instructions it can process per second (normally in millions or billions of instructions per second)
Short term memory. Disappears when the computer is turned off. Contains documents you have open or temporary programs.
More RAM you have, the more things you can do at the same time.
Short term memory. Disappears when the computer is turned off. Contains documents you have open or temporary programs.
More RAM you have, the more things you can do at the same time.
Permanent memory or long-term storage—still be there if you turn your computer off. All the code that makes your computer work is stored on here.
Permanent memory or long-term storage—still be there if you turn your computer off. All the code that makes your computer work is stored on here.
Converts the power from the wall outlet to the type of power your computer needs
Converts the power from the wall outlet to the type of power your computer needs