Code Your Name In Binary

Coding your name is a really fun way to introduce the basic concept of computer coding to young kids. Plus, you don’t actually have to have a computer, so it’s a cool screen free idea inspired by famous computer scientist, Margaret Hamilton. These free printable coding worksheets below are a great way to explore STEM with kiddos of all ages. We love easy and do-able STEM activities for kids!

HOW TO WRITE YOUR NAME IN BINARY

WHO IS MARGARET HAMILTON?

American computer scientist, systems engineer and business owner Margaret Hamilton was one of the first computer software programmers. She created the term software engineer to describe her work.

During her career, she developed a program that predicted the weather and wrote software that searched for enemy aircraft. Hamilton was responsible for the onboard flight software for NASA’s Apollo space mission.

WHAT IS CODING?

Computer coding is a huge part of STEM, but what does it mean for our younger kids? Computer coding creates all the software, apps, and websites we use without even thinking twice!

A code is a set of instructions, and computer coders {real people} write these instructions to program all sorts of things. Coding is its own language, and for programmers, it’s like learning a new language when they write code.

There are different types of computer languages but they all do a similar task, which is to take our instructions and turn them into a code the computer can read.

WHAT IS BINARY CODE?

Have you heard of the binary alphabet? It’s a series of 1’s and 0’s that form letters, which then form a code the computer can read. Learn more about the binary code for kids.

Download our free binary code worksheets below and follow the simple steps to code your name in binary.

CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR FREE BINARY CODE WORKSHEET!

CODE YOUR NAME

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SUPPLIES:

• Printable Sheets
• Markers or Crayons

Alternatively, you can use rolled play dough balls, pony beads, or pompoms! The possibilities are endless!

INSTRUCTIONS:

STEP 1: Print out the sheets and choose one color to represent “0” and one color to represent “1′.

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Step 2: Write each letter of your name down the side of the paper. Place one letter on each line on the left-hand side.

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Step 3: Use the code to color in the letters!

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Try it with play dough! Another tip is to laminate the mat for long-lasting fun and use dry-erase markers!

Make homemade play dough here with our #1 no-cook recipe.

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Extend the Coding Fun

Try it backward. Have the kiddos choose words and color in the squares only, don’t add the letters to the lefthand side. Switch papers with a friend, sibling, or classmate. Try to decode it!