Ideas to take somewhere

The reading shelf.

A book can be a starting point.

These suggestions connect to things you can try. Read a little, follow a question or go straight to an activity. There is no reading list to finish.

Links open the named publisher, library or authorised source. Some offer an extract or need library membership; access details are listed on each card. Horizon does not supply ebook files.

Books to explore

Selected chapters with free reading editions maintained by their authors.

Read a free book chapter

Think Python, 2nd edition

Allen B. Downey

Explore how a short sequence of lines and turns can grow into shapes, patterns and drawings. This is an optional coding stretch, rather than a first step you have to complete.

Try translating one of your line drawings into a route of forward moves and turns. You can sketch the route on paper before considering code.

Read a free book chapter

Opens Chapter 4, Case study: interface design, on the author’s site. Reading is free and needs no account. Running the optional examples requires a compatible Python setup; you can stay with the paper activity.

About this reading

The selected chapter covers drawing instructions, shapes, functions and loops. It is a longer technical read; choose a small section or skip it. The complete book and linked sites have not been assessed here.

Try it with: One doorway, two possibilities · Debug a paper robot

Read a free book chapter

Python for Everybody: Exploring Data in Python 3

Charles R. Severance

See how a computer follows statements, stores values and works through a calculation. You can start with the short Variables and Statements sections.

After your paper robot follows its instructions, explore how a written program keeps track of information. Change one fictional value and predict what changes.

Read a free book chapter

Opens Variables, expressions, and statements on the author’s site. Reading is free and needs no account. Use made-up details in any example that asks for a name or numbers.

About this reading

The selected chapter introduces values, calculations and debugging. Some sections are detailed, so reading a small part is enough. The complete book, optional course features and other linked sites have not been assessed here.

Try it with: Debug a paper robot

Short reads and guides

Other ways into the ideas, from the organisations that created these resources.

Read the free coding cards · PDF

Chase Game Cards

Scratch Foundation

Follow visual coding cards for a character that moves, collects a star and keeps score. Notice how a change to movement or scoring changes the experience.

Borrow the idea of one clear rule, then test a change in your own paper or digital game. Making a Scratch version is optional.

Read the free coding cards · PDF

A 16-page PDF containing seven pairs of visual coding cards. Reading needs no account. The optional Scratch editor is a separate service; a paper game remains a complete activity.

About this reading

The cards describe a non-violent game using a robot and star. The selected PDF was reviewed; community projects, comments and other Scratch pages are outside this review.

Try it with: Change one movement rule

Read the free paper-bridge guide

Structures: Paper Bridges

Exploratorium

Investigate why folding a sheet changes the load it can carry. Record your designs and compare what happens when you test them.

Compare the shape of your tabletop paper model with another version. Keep the paper, supports and gap the same, and state which observation you are comparing.

Read the free paper-bridge guide

Opens the instructions page of an older museum guide. It is free to read without an account. Horizon’s activity uses a small tabletop paper model without added weights; the guide’s larger demonstrations are separate.

About this reading

The paper experiment suits an optional practical investigation. A later page describes a large timber demonstration: that is outside our tabletop activity. No real bridge or load-bearing structure is proposed.

Try it with: What can one fold change?

Read the free visual lesson

Note Duration

musictheory.net, created by Ricci Adams

Compare the relative lengths of notes in Western staff notation. Look for the pattern as one note value divides into smaller values.

Choose simple marks for long and short sounds, then change one part of your rhythm. Standard notation is another option, not a requirement.

Read the free visual lesson

The visual lesson is free and needs no account. JavaScript must be enabled. The site also offers paid apps; no app purchase is needed for this lesson.

About this reading

This is a short notation lesson about relative duration. You can use your own rhythm symbols instead. The site’s other lessons and apps were not assessed here.

Try it with: Remix an eight-cell rhythm

Read the free museum article

What are the differences between butterflies and moths?

David Britton, Australian Museum

Compare visible insect features and discover why a useful identification rule can still have exceptions.

Create an evidence card with one feature you can observe, one possible identification and one reason you might need more evidence. Photographs or drawings are enough.

Read the free museum article

A short illustrated museum article, free to read without an account. There is no need to catch, handle or collect an insect.

About this reading

The selected article focuses on insect identification. Broader museum pages, automated search and changing related recommendations are outside this review.

Try it with: Sort animal clues without guessing

Explore the activities ↗Browse A–Z topics ↗