Briefing
Whether it's the genetic code, an ancient language, or patterns of light in a distant galaxy, scientists often have to play the role of decoder. In this Write Away, you will too!
Activity
WHAT YOU'LL NEED:
Construction paper or cardboard
Something to write with
Scissors
A paper clip or brass fastener
A compass or something round to trace
WHAT TO DO:
STEP ONE: CODE IT!
First, make an alphabet wheel to create a secret code. (NEED PICTURE)
1. Use a compass to trace one circle that is 6 inches across, and another that's 5 inches across.
2. Cut the circles out.
3. Connect the centers of the circles by poking holes in the middle and attaching them with a brass fastener or paper clip.
4. Now draw lines to divide up the circles into 26 sections. You'll need 13 lines. You'll have to work around the paper clip or fastener!
5. Write the alphabet around the edge of the outer and inner circles.
Now, you're ready to make your code. To do it, turn the inside circle so its letters line up with different letters on the outside circle. When you're writing code, look at the outside circle for the letter you want, but write down the letter you see on the inside circle.
Write a message in your code. It should be at least six or seven words long. When you're done, trade messages with other kids in your group.
If you're working on your own, see below a message you can decode.
STEP TWO: DECODE IT!
Now it's your job to decode the message you've been given! Here are some hints:
1. You know the code was created using this wheel -- so if you can figure out what one or two of the letters are, you can figure out the whole thing.
2. Look to see what letters come up the most in the code. These might be common letters like the vowels E, A, O, or I, or the consonants T, R, S, N, or L.
3. Think of words that you know, like "the," "in," "on," "at,? "and," and so on. Do any patterns in the code match the patterns of these little words?
4. Lots of words end in "s." Are there words that end in the same code letter in your message? What if that letter stood for the letter S?
5. Try decoding the message in several different ways. If a code doesn't work, try again!
Debriefing
The decoding techniques you used, like looking for common letters, watching for familiar patterns, and trying different things until something works, are the same ones that scientists use when they're decoding. Often, their job is much tougher because they don't know the coding system (like the letter wheel), or because the codes they're trying to crack are much more complicated.
Can you think of some puzzles that scientists have to decode?
If you've got your Case Journal, answer the questions in it now!
More Info
CODED MESSAGE:
JINRXVCYBVCZINP. MIY LVKU QVPCUXUO CLU PTZBBP CI OUJIOU CLZP QUPPVRU.