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Year 4

Ada Lovelace

I can describe Ada Lovelace's life and her contributions to modern day computing

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New
New
Year 4

Ada Lovelace

I can describe Ada Lovelace's life and her contributions to modern day computing

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

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These resources were created for remote use during the pandemic and are not designed for classroom teaching.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Ada Lovelace wrote the first algorithm intended for implementation on a machine
  2. Ada Lovelace is considered the first computer programmer.
  3. Ada Lovelace's work laid the foundation for modern computing including programming on a micro:bit.
  4. Ada Lovelace is celebrated today as an inspiration to those working in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths.
  5. An algorithm is a set of instructions for a machine.

Keywords

  • Programming - the process of designing and building an executable computer programme.

  • Algorithm - a set of instructions designed to perform a specific task.

  • Analytical Engine - an early but unfinished computer

  • STEM - Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths

Common misconception

Ada Lovelace invented the first computer.

While Ada Lovelace wrote the first algorithm, she did not invent the first computer. Micro:bits demonstate the principles that Ada Lovelace worked on.


To help you plan your year 4 design and technology lesson on: Ada Lovelace, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Research events and modern female technologists inspired by Ada Lovelace around Ada Lovelace Day - the second Tuesday of every October. Themes discussed within the lesson include absent father, dying of cancer at an early age and care must be taken when discussing this with pupils.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Pencils

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
How do you connect a micro:bit to a computer?
by using a Wi-Fi connection
through a power supply
Correct answer: using a USB cable or Bluetooth connection
Q2.
What is block-based programming?
a method of coding in binary
a style of typing code directly
Correct answer: a visual programming language using blocks to represent code
Q3.
What is an input device?
a device that outputs data from a computer
Correct answer: a device used to provide data and control a computer
a storage device on a computer
Q4.
What does debugging a program mean?
Correct answer: finding problems in code
Correct answer: solving problems in code
writing code
removing code
Q5.
How can we learn from history?
It helps us make the same mistakes again.
Correct answer: It teaches us about things that worked and things that didn’t.
It tells us to ignore what happened before and only think about now.
It shows us that history doesn't matter at all.
Q6.
How can learning about the lives of inspiring people help us?
It shows us that we should do exactly what they did.
Correct answer: It helps us understand that anyone can do amazing things.
It teaches us that only a few people are capable of great achievements.
It tells us to never try anything new and always follow the rules.

Exit quiz

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4 Questions

Q1.
What is an algorithm?
a game played on a computer
Correct answer: a set of instructions in a program
a type of hardware like computers
Q2.
What is Ada Lovelace known for in computing history?
creating the first website for the public
inventing the first computer for homes
Correct answer: writing the first algorithm for a machine
Q3.
Why is Ada Lovelace's work significant today?
Correct answer: She invented the first computer.
She developed the concept of programming.
She created the World Wide Web.
She built the first smartphone.
Q4.
Who worked with Ada Lovelace on the Analytical Engine?
Alan Turing
Correct answer: Charles Babbage
Steve Jobs