Imagination is the key to endless possibilities. Not only was Ada Lovelace the first programmer, but she was the first person to see the real potential of computers! She developed the first algorithm by translating and adding crucial notes on Charles Babbage’s Analytical Engine. Ada met Charles Babbage at the age of 17, who became her mentor. He saw her potential and supported her journey to success. Unlike many of the analytical minds of her time, she looked beyond mathematical equations. Ada envisioned new ideas far beyond base calculations.
“Understand well as I may, my comprehension can only be an infinitesimal fraction of all I want to understand.”
Ada’s childhood showed promise for her future as a brilliant mathematician and writer. Born in London, England to Lord and Lady Byron, she had a thirst for learning and creation early on. She conceptualized a flying machine at just the age 12. Lord Byron was a famous poet and eccentric character, so it’s no surprise that she regarded “Poetical Science” as her driving force for innovation. Her mother tried desperately to influence her into more serious studies, but Ada instead merged art and science together. Her genius lies in questioning basic assumptions in math and science. She fused her love of science and art together, pushing the boundaries of what could exist.
The world of high-tech can thank Ada Lovelace for her important contribution to scientific computing. There is an important lesson to be learned. It is not only important to learn the fundamentals of education but to truly innovate, one must have a fearless imagination and the will to create.
“Imagination is the Discovering Faculty, pre-eminently. It is that which penetrates into the unseen worlds around us, the worlds of Science.”
Could there be a little Ada in your classroom? Find out!
Students can use their imaginative powers to design and build their own games with Game Builder! > https://www.codemonkey.com/courses/game-builder/
