Lesson 1 — Our First Machine

Age: Grades 4–6 (ages 9–12) Duration: 20 minutes Format: Web game (play right away, no prep needed) Concept: Functions — a machine that takes an input and always transforms it into an output using a fixed rule. This is the heart of a function.

Learning Objective

Kids calculate the output of a machine with a 1-step rule — understanding that a function is a fixed rule that always turns an input into an output.

Do It Together (Parent-Child Co-participation)

Take turns being the "machine" — a parent states a rule (like ×2), the child gives a number, and the parent must answer instantly with the result.