PBS
Pbs Nova: Decipher a Coded Message
The basic difference between a code and cipher is explained briefly. You can try to crack a simple cipher at this location.
PBS
Pbs Nova: Send a Coded Message Virtual Enigma
Explore the NOVA's Virtual Enigma machine used during WWII. You can send an encrypted message to a friend along with the special key needed to decipher the message. A link is also included to the Virtual Enigma.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Spy Techniques of the Revolutionary War: Culper Code Book
Using a primary source and transcript students decipher and create historically-accurate spy communications like those used by George Washington and the Culper Spy ring in the American Revolutionary War.
University of Cambridge
University of Cambridge: Nrich: Code Breaker
Do your logic skills need sharpening? Use the interactive code breaker to at this one page website to do just that! The solution is available to double check your solution.
National Institutes of Health
Nih: Deciphering the Genetic Code: Michael Nirenberg
Story of Michael Nirenberg and his colleagues deciphering of DNA.
PBS
Nova: Secrets, Lies, and Atomic Spies
The companion site to the show by the same title. Interesting site allows the reader to decipher a coded message. Information on Venona Intercepts and interviews with children of famous spies.
Education Development Center
Education Development Center: How Does Dna Work?
Learning about transcription and translation can be difficult but this animation helps make the processes less confusing. The animation is interactive and it also covers the overall importance of proteins.
Texas Instruments
Texas Instruments: Numb3 Rs: Message of the Bottle
Based off of the hit television show NUMB3RS, this lesson is best used to serve as a preliminary introduction to coding and encryption. Messages are ciphered by single-letter substitution, and the lesson guides students into deciphering...
PBS
Pbs Nova: A Simple Cipher
The difference between a code and cipher is explained. See if you can solve a simple cipher challenge at the bottom of the page.
Shodor Education Foundation
Shodor Interactivate: Spy Game
Learners will learn about modular arithmetic in order to decipher encrypted messages.
Other
Curiosity in the Classroom: Principles of Encryption [Pdf]
In a world where people are sharing information every second online, securing that information is paramount. In this lesson students will understand the principle of encryption, how to decode encryption, and how to construct ciphers. The...
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Encryption, Decryption, and Cracking
Julius Caesar encrypted messages two thousand years ago. By knowing the techniques of deciphering a code--frequency analysis, known text, and brute force--one can begin to understand the three key aspects of data encryption, decryption,...
National Institutes of Health
National Library of Medicine: Profiles in Science: Francis Crick Papers
Biographical information about Francis Crick as well as access to an archival collection of his papers, letters, photographs, and notes, including those related to the discovery of the double helix.
PBS
Pbs: Word Problems Using Addition and Subtraction of Fractions: Harry Gets Locked Up
This video features Harry and his cousin Harley. Harley is desperate to use Harry's bike, but first he must decipher the combination to the bike lock by solving a word problem. In the accompanying classroom activity, students complete a...
Instituto Latinoamericano de la Comunicacion Educativa
Red Escolar: El Codigo De Galileo
Decipher Galileo's code and read about his biography. Instructions are also given on how to construct a magnifying glass.