KS3 micro:bit cryptography intro

Unit of 3 lessons aimed at KS3 Year 7 in England. Students learn about cryptography and undertaking practical unplugged activities to develop their logical reasoning and problem-solving skills. They write algorithms for a Caesar cipher and are introduced to writing Caesar ciphers in text-based programming using JavaScript and Python.

This unit forms the second part of the cyber security unit, though it can be used on its own and can be a good introduction to text-based programming, or a way to extend existing knowledge.

The lesson sequence comprises 3 lessons of approx. 60 minutes:

1. Introducing cryptography today and in history (World War Two)
2. Caesar cipher algorithms unplugged activity
3. Creating Caesar cipher programs with text-based programming
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Learning objectives

• can understand and apply the fundamental principles & concepts of computer science (logic, abstraction, algorithms, real world problem analysis and problem solving).
• practical experience of writing computer programs to solve problems.
• are responsible, competent, confident and creative users of information and communication technology
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Additional skills
Problem-solving, collaboration, critical thinking, creative thinking, prototyping, presenting, researching.
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Included resources

• Lesson plan Word docs
• Lesson slides PowerPoints
• Student handouts
• Program files
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England KS3 Computing curriculum links

• design, use and evaluate computational abstractions that model the state and behaviour of real-world problems and physical systems
• use logical reasoning to compare the utility of alternative algorithms for the same problem
• use two or more programming languages, at least one of which is textual, to solve a variety of computational problems
• make appropriate use of data structures (for example, lists, tables or arrays);
• understand simple Boolean logic (for example, AND, OR and NOT) and some of its uses in circuits and programming;
• understand a range of ways to use technology safely, respectfully, responsibly and securely, including protecting their online identity and privacy; recognise inappropriate content, contact and conduct and know how to report concerns.