STEM BUDDIES

← Back to blog

Published on 05/11/2024 by James Best

Ada Lovelace: The Computer Pioneer

Hello, future programmers! Today we’re going to meet someone truly extraordinary - Ada Lovelace, the world’s first computer programmer. But wait… how could she program computers before they were invented? Let’s find out!

A Different Kind of Princess

Ada was born in 1815 and was actually a real princess - well, sort of! She was the daughter of the famous poet Lord Byron. But instead of writing poetry like her dad, Ada fell in love with something else: mathematics!

Numbers and Patterns

When Ada was young, she had amazing teachers who helped her discover the wonderful world of maths. She loved finding patterns in numbers and solving tricky problems. It was like she could see magic in mathematics that others couldn’t!

The Amazing Analytical Engine

Ada became friends with a clever inventor called Charles Babbage. He had designed a massive machine called the Analytical Engine. It was like a giant calculator, but much more powerful - it was actually the world’s first computer design!

The First Computer Program

Here’s where Ada did something incredible. While everyone else saw Babbage’s machine as just a big calculator, Ada saw something more. She wrote detailed notes explaining how the machine could be used to create music and art, and even wrote instructions (what we now call a program) to solve complex maths problems!

Did You Know?

Try It Yourself: Think Like Ada

Want to think like a computer programmer? Try this fun activity:

  1. Write instructions for making a jam sandwich
  2. Ask a grown-up to follow your instructions EXACTLY
  3. Watch what happens - did they do what you expected?
  4. Can you spot where your instructions needed to be clearer?

This is exactly what programming is - giving very clear instructions to a computer!

Ada’s Legacy

Ada showed us that computers could be more than just calculators - they could be creative tools! Every time you play a computer game, create digital art, or listen to music on your tablet, you’re seeing Ada’s dream come true.

Be Like Ada

Remember: whether you love maths, art, music, or all three - there’s a place for you in the world of computers! Ada showed us that the best ideas often come from mixing different things we love together.

Keep being curious, keep asking questions, and maybe one day you’ll create something amazing that changes the world - just like Ada did!

Written by James Best

← Back to blog
  • The Wonders of Weather: Make Your Own Rain Gauge 🌧️

    The Wonders of Weather: Make Your Own Rain Gauge 🌧️

    Ever wondered how much rain falls from the sky? Become a weather detective and build your own rain gauge to unlock the secrets of precipitation! Get ready for a splashing good time 💦

  • The Hidden World of Mushrooms: Nature's Recyclers 🍄

    The Hidden World of Mushrooms: Nature's Recyclers 🍄

    Uncover the secret lives of mushrooms! Join us on a journey into the fascinating world of nature's recyclers, where tiny fungi play a massive role in keeping our planet healthy. Get ready to be amazed by these incredible organisms and their incredible superpowers!

  • Brilliant Boffins: Chien-Shiung Wu - The First Lady of Physics

    Brilliant Boffins: Chien-Shiung Wu - The First Lady of Physics

    Discover the amazing story of Chien-Shiung Wu, a brilliant physicist who proved that the universe isn't as symmetrical as we thought! Perfect for young scientists aged 7-10 who love exploring the mysteries of the universe.

  • Ellen Ochoa: Rocketing into Space Exploration!

    Ellen Ochoa: Rocketing into Space Exploration!

    Get ready to blast off on an out-of-this-world adventure with Ellen Ochoa, the first Hispanic woman in space! Discover how this brilliant scientist and astronaut helped revolutionise space innovation and paved the way for future space explorers.

  • Chameleons' Colour-Changing Capers: A Rainbow Reptile Riddle!

    Chameleons' Colour-Changing Capers: A Rainbow Reptile Riddle!

    Ever wondered how chameleons magically change colour? Get ready to unravel nature's most colourful mystery! In this fun-filled adventure, we'll explore the amazing science behind these rainbow reptiles and even try some colour-changing tricks of our own. Prepare to be amazed!

  • The HIV Detective: How Françoise Cracked the Case 🕵️‍♀️

    The HIV Detective: How Françoise Cracked the Case 🕵️‍♀️

    Join brilliant scientist Françoise Barré-Sinoussi on her quest to solve one of science's biggest mysteries - the cause of AIDS! Get ready for an exciting journey into the microscopic world of viruses and the amazing immune system.