Binary code

Material 

paper, pencil/s, ruler

Environment 

table, desk pad

Activity 

drawing, observing

Step-by-step instructions:

1. Think of two simple symbols that can be easily distinguished from each other and drawn quickly. Do not use an X! (Simple variant: two different geometric shapes like circle and square // More complex variant: symbols that fit your environment, e.g. when you’re sitting in a café, coffee cup and piece of cake). Try out the symbols a few times in quick succession.
2. Think of a simple algorithm for drawing the symbols: e.g. if someone with long hair walks by, draw a wave. If someone has short hair, draw a line.
   Tip: You can also enter data available via webcams (big city, ski resort, bird’s nest).
3. Draw a 12×12 square grid on paper or cut the grid out of checkered paper.
4. 3-2-1 monozukuri! Start drawing symbols on your checkered sheet by following the rules of your algorithm – until all the boxes are filled.
5. If you notice on the way that your algorithm doesn’t work well, you may reprogram it.
   Example: There are too few/too many people coming by, then add more rules. If you reprogram, indicate this by making five X’s in a row. Then continue with your new rules.
6. Once all the boxes are filled, stop the algorithm. You can further evaluate your survey: mark conspicuous outliers in color. See if you find recurring patterns in the symbols or make a frame around the same groups of symbols (e.g. you might find that a conspicuous number of people with long hair come in pairs, but the short-haired people are usually alone).
7. Give your study an exciting, meaningful title at the end.