STAR TREK LIVE! - Ontario Science Centre

STAR TREK LIVE!
Computer User Recognition Learning Center Cards
Learning center #1— Voice Recognition
Did you know:
A voiceprint is like a fingerprint? We can identify a person by the way they sound when they speak. Some computer
security systems use voiceprint scans.
Discussion question:
Can you use voiceprint scans to identify your group members?
Try it out:
1 One member from each team sits facing away from the other team members. These people each hold a
sheet of paper and pen and are their team’s computer security system, or “security.” The security members
must identify the voices of their team members.
2 The remaining team members take a turn saying their own name twice and the phrase “Access Computer”
as the security listens and records their names.
3 Switch three members between both teams without letting the security member see.
4 Each person says “Access Computer.” The security members have to determine if the person speaking is on
their team. The security members say either the person’s name and “access cleared” or “access denied.”
The team with the highest voice recognitions gets a point.
Discuss findings:
Which voices are easiest and most difficult to recognize?
Learning center #2— Eye Recognition
Did you know:
The iris is the colored part of the eye? The plural for iris is irides or irises. Your iris controls the amount of light that
enters the eye. An iris scan is like a fingerprint. We can identify a person by the color pattern in their irides. Some
computer security systems use iris scans.
Discussion question:
Can you use iris scans to identify your group members?
© 2010 Mad Science Productions. All Rights Reserved.
Try it out:
1 One member from each team sits behind a bristol board on the side without the paper flap. These members
each hold a sheet of paper and pen and are their team’s computer security system, or “security.” The security
members must identify the eyes of team members.
2 There is a small peephole covered under the sheet of paper in the bristol board’s center. Each member puts
their eye against the hole, and taps on the bristol board.
3 The security members lift the flap and looks at the eye while the
member says their name. The security members memorize the eyes
and record their name. The security members must lower the flap
between group members.
4 Switch three members between both teams without letting the security
members see them.
5 Repeat step 2 without speaking. This time the security members
have to determine whether the person is on their team. They say either
the person’s name and “access cleared” or “access denied.”
The team with the highest eye recognitions gets a point.
Discuss findings:
Which eyes were easiest and most difficult to recognize?
© 2010 Mad Science Productions. All Rights Reserved.