fandomhigh | Zen Computer Science - Period 3 - Tuesday

Flynn sat at his desk again, feet up, waiting for everyone to shuffle through and check in.

On the table near the front sat a small collection of shoeboxes, taped shut.

Once he was satisfied that everyone was present, he began class.

"Understanding computers is not just knowing how to click here, or click there. It's about knowing what your machine
can and cannot do, and it's history of why."

He grinned.

"Computers are logical. They use a system that dates back to the time of the Greeks and Aristotle, only modified
and tasked to suit the technology used today." Flynn got up and stood in front of his desk.

"So today, we're going to study logic. To that end, we're going to have a little fun." he grinned the patented Flynn boyish grin.

"I want you to partner off into groups of threes or twos, and every group gets a box from up here." He gestures to the box. "Inside each box is one
object. Using just your powers of observation and WITHOUT looking in the box, tell me what's inside it."

Flynn looked at their faces. "This means no powers as well, so don't get any bright ideas."

He watched the kids play with the boxes and waited for any of them to come up with an answer.

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"Oooh. That's a good idea." She nodded. "Although if it's evil, I bet we could take it." Even without her grenades.

She nudged the box closer to Willow. "Go ahead."

Willow concentrated and gave the box a good poke.

She examined the results on her pencil. "Well, the tip broke but I don't see any teeth marks."

"Right!" She smiled. "I think we're safe from whatever-it-is, then."

She picked the box up and lightly shook it again, an idea forming. "Do you think we could get an extra box from him? Like, an empty one?"

"Oo - whatcha got in mind?" Willow asked.

Rikku bounced a bit. "Your pencil! When you were poking the box and all is when I had the idea. We could use that and maybe that'd tell us something, right? I mean if it's the same or louder or you know?" She took a breath and realized she hadn't explained herself at all.

"Okay, so, it's not real science-y or anything, but maybe we could get another box from him, right? And put other things in it, like your pencil, and then shake that and see if we can figure out stuff from there. Like 'oh, it sounds a lot heavier, I bet it's bigger than this' and then maybe put a book or something else in, instead." She scratched her head. "Well, maybe not a book. I don't know."

"I like!" Willow said. "I support and second your motion."

"Really?!" Rikku laughed and clapped her hands. "Great! I'll go ask him!" She dashed off, even more enthusiastic than usual.

Willow waited patiently, keeping her on the box in case it came alive and tried to kill them all.

"Score!" Rikku hopped back into her seat, holding the box out triumphantly. She noticed Willow's vigil. "Oooh, did it do anything while I was gone?"

Science was fun.

"Not that I could see," Willow admitted. "But it could be biding its time."

"We'll have to outsmart it, then," Rikku grinned. She scooped up Willow's pencil and tossed it into the spare box, and then lifted a box in each hand. She held a box to each ear and shook them, lightly at first, and then in an off-beat rhythm, bopping in time.

"Ha! Sorry. Okay. So. Whatcha think?" She set the boxes down and slid them over to her partner, still humming a bit.

"The pencil sounded lighter," Willow said. "Not as clunky. Also? I think the mystery box has better rhythm."

"Hmmm." Rikku considered. "So it's heavier, and probably bigger around, and maybe useful as a tambourine." She chewed her lip. "Do you think we get any credit for creative answers? Like, 'Definitely Not a Shoe' or 'A Delightful Percussion Instrument'?"

"Oh I hope so," Willow said. These were often the only kinds of answers she gave. "Oh! No bell like sounds. So possibly more along the lines of a shy drum?"

Rikku grinned. "We should write these down! Our scientific findings and all that. 'No bells attached,' that's a good one." She shook the box again, thinking. "It doesn't sound metal at all, to me. No clinking."

Willow took notes. "Non-metal. Do you think organic? Or are we hearing in a range of plastics?"

Rikku shook her head. "I'm not so good with plastics. I just know metal's kinda tinkly." She held the box out. "You wanna give it a try?"

She tried to think of what else they'd determined. "We said it was bigger than the pencil, right? Or heavier? And not evil. Or at least, not evil and awake."

Willow gave it a shake and listened. "Definitely bigger. It doesn't take as long for it to hit the sides. The pencil needed to do some rolling."

"Ooooh, you're right!" Rikku bounced a little. "So we kinda know what size it is, and how heavy it is. And it's gotta be in one piece, or it'd roll funny. Or something." She shook it again.

Zen Computer Science - Period 3 - Tuesday - Week 2

Re: Play with your boxes!

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Re: Play with your boxes!