This activity supports the development of a range of Computational Thinking skills such as decomposition, pattern recognition, algorithmic thinking and logical reasoning. Students learn what a tangram is and practice making different designs. This helps them recognize patterns in how shapes fit together and identify similarities between different configurations, allowing them to develop the ability to see connections and common structures, a key part of computational thinking. Tangram puzzles often require trial and error. This iterative process, where you make adjustments based on feedback, mirrors the approach used in debugging code or refining algorithms. Students are also introduced to screen coordinates and practice following algorithms including coordinates to draw tangram designs. Students then use their own tangram designs and write their own algorithms using coordinates that other people can follow.

This activity provides students with a range of guillotine problems to help develop spatial awareness and the ability to decompose a shape. Students learn to visualise the results of the cuts they plan to make, and sequence the cuts correctly to decompose the larger shape. As the shape is broken down into smaller pieces, the task of decomposing becomes easier. Guillotine problems can also be used to introduce students to optimization problems, where the goal is to find the most efficient way to cut a material (like paper, wood, or metal) to minimize waste. This ties into real-world applications in manufacturing and design.

Origami can be a useful tool for teaching the concept of algorithms, as it provides a tangible and visual representation of the process of following a series of steps to achieve a desired outcome. This activity can be used in conjunction with the Matariki online course. Matariki (Pleiades) is an important cluster of stars in New Zealand. The rising of the Matariki star cluster marks the Māori New Year, a time of rejoicing and rejuvenation in New Zealand. This activity involves making origami stars.