Algorithms, Abstractions, and Iterations: Teaching Computational Thinking Using Protein Synthesis Translation

Article Figures & Data

Table 1. CT concept definitions.

CT Concept	Definition	Example
Algorithm	A sequence of steps to solve a problem	A recipe is an algorithm for how to make a particular food.
Abstraction	Simplifying information; displaying only the information that is needed	When someone asks you what you did yesterday, you tell them you stayed at home and watched Netflix, not that you woke up, took a shower, got dresses, ate breakfast, fed your dog…, etc.
Iteration	Repeating a sequence of steps until a condition is met	When you eat a meal, you put food in your mouth, chew, swallow, and repeat until the food is gone.
Branching	Choosing a path, if/then/else statements	Driving through traffic lights: IF the light is green, THEN you go, ELSE you slow down and stop.
Variable	A value that can change; used in programming to make programs universal	If you were writing an algorithm for your morning routine, you would write: wake up, get out of bed, shower, put on clothes, eat breakfast. In this algorithm, “clothes” is a variable, and its value (what you actually wear each day) changes. Maybe on Monday, clothes = a dress, and on Tuesday, clothes = a shirt and jeans.

Table 2. Lesson outline.

Day	Learning Activity	Objective
1	Introduction to CT Using Lightbot	Students will problem-solve in a programming game to explore basic CT concepts.
2	Applying CT: Writing Translation Algorithms	Students will write an algorithm to simulate how the system of the translation process functions.
3	Extending CT: Programming Translation with Scratch (optional)	Students will design a program to simulate the patterns associated with the translation process.

Table 3. CT concept examples for student notes.

CT Concept	Examples
Algorithm	Game example (MAIN blocks): In every level you build an algorithm to light the colored squares. Real life example: When someone asks you for directions to your house, you give them an algorithm.
Abstraction	Game example (Procedure): The procedures were abstractions of the steps in the main program Real life example: When someone asks you what you are doing tonight, you tell them you're going to eat spaghetti, not that you are going to boil water, put the noodles in for 10 minutes, heat the sauce, brown the meat…, etc.
Iteration	Game example (loops): The loops in the games were examples of iteration. They repeated the sequence until all the squares were lit. Real life example: Each day is an iteration, each week, each month, each year.
Branching	Real life example: Choosing what to wear each day: if it is cold outside, then wear a sweater, else don't wear a sweater.
Variable	Real life example: Set variable1 = 5 (program user decides each time they run the program) Set variable2 = 6 (program user decides each time they run the program) Program: variable1 + variable2 = 11 (the sum of the two values set by the program user)