It may be surprising, but introducing students to Computer Sciences and the art of the algorithm doesn’t need to begin on a device - pencil and paper can be just as effective. Help students to understand algorithms simply as sets of instructions that can be followed to achieve an outcome.

In the Drawing Shoes Algorithms activity, students imagine their favourite pair of shoes then create an algorithm for a partner to draw them. They then reflect on how well their algorithm worked and how they could improve it based on their partner’s drawing.

This activity encourages students to create algorithms involving a sequence of steps and decisions to investigate numbers – the perfect introductory unplugged activity to algorithms!

Looking for more unplugged algorithm activities? Why not try Fairy Bread Algorithms or A-maze-ing Algorithms activities.