Binary Art Project: Focus-The Arecibo Message

Hey ECS students,

Welcome back from our "Thanksgiving Break"
This week we will continue our Problem Solving Unit. The focus of our new project is creating an art image with a binary coding as a necessary part of the creation of the image. We will explore the relationship between binary code, visual symbols, visual data, and embedded messages.

The challenge of our project is to imagine if we had to develop a message for communicating with Extra-Terrestrial life forms using symbols, data and a personal message prepared for transmission into space using binary coding.

For review and further info and reading-please visit the following sites:

Prime Number (Mathematical Language to communicate)
The Arecibo Image-
SETI project
The Arecibo Message-Answered? (Youtube video)
The Documentary of Pixel Art (Youtube video)
Ancient Symbols and Meaning

AND JustfortheHECKOFIT-AREA 51 (WIKIPEDIA)



The discussions that have come-up have been very thoughtful-many interesting questions have surfaced in our discussions-I hope to hear more of your questions and thoughts as we proceed in this project.

Introduction to BINARY NUMBERS

ECS students,

Have you ever heard of binary numbers? If you haven't, you might be surprised to know that every time you use your computer at home or at school you are putting binary numbers to work with your every keystroke. Using binary numbers is the way your computer "computes" or counts. In other words everything you do on your computer starts as binary number sequences and then is translated into what people know as words, numbers, sounds, pictures and so on.
If you are interested to find out more on how binary numbers actually work and how to better understand how you computer works using binary numbers, please follow the links below and read the articles carefully...

First, Checkout the CS Unplugged-Binary Numbers page

More Resources:

1. What is binary?
2.Introduction to binary numbers
3.The Binary Numeral System on Wikipedia

Also see videos on YouTube [off campus only:( ]

4.Binary Numbers in 60 seconds
5.How Binary Code works (8 bit system)

Still confused?-Bring up any questions for discussion in class...


Mr. Casas

What is Problem Solving?

Introduction to Problem Solving:


The Problem Solving process consists of a sequence of sections that fit together depending on the type of problem to be solved. These are:

• Problem Definition.
• Problem Analysis.
• Generating possible Solutions.
• Analyzing the Solutions.
• Selecting the best Solution(s).
• Planning the next course of action (Next Steps)

The process is only a guide for problem solving. It is useful to have a structure to follow to make sure that nothing is overlooked. Nothing here is likely to be brand new to anyone, but it is the pure acknowledgement and reminding of the process that can help the problems to be solved.

Click to read more info on Problem Solving

Problem Solving on Wikipedia