Cryptograph Wheel/Caesar Cipher
Assemble and use this cryptograph wheel to send coded messages to your friends! Cryptograph wheels help you solve "Caesar" or "shift" cyphers.
Encryption is a way of hiding a message so that it is kept secret from everyone except the person the message is intended for. Computers use complicated encryption techniques to keep data safe, while simple codes and ciphers can help you send secret messages!
What You Need
Materials Needed:
- 1 copy of the Cryptograph Wheel sheet per person
- Note: cardstock is best, but paper is still fine
- 1 brass fastener per person
- Scissors for cutting
- Pencils/pens
- Secret message sheets or scrap paper
Safety Notes
Ensure you are familiar with Let's Talk Science's precautions with respect to safe virtual outreach to youth.
What To Do
- Cut out both circles from the worksheet.
- Place the smaller circle over the larger circle, making sure the black dots on each circle are centered on each other.
- Push the brass fastener through both pages, and fasten the ends.
- Spin the top circle to choose the "key" number for your cipher by placing the capital A underneath the key. For example, if your key is 9, turn the small circle so that the j/9 section lines up with the A on the large circle.
- Do not turn your wheel after choosing the key! Now you can send secret messages using the lowercase letters on the small circle.
- For example, with the key as 9, "blrnwln" means "SCIENCE" when you solve it. You can figure this out by looking for the lowercase letter on the small circle, and then writing out the corresponding uppercase letters.
Discovery
Encryption is a way of hiding a message so that it is kept secret from everyone except the person the message is intended for. Computers use complicated encryption techniques to keep data such as your passwords safe, while simple codes and ciphers can help you send secret messages!
A cryptograph wheel helps to solve a "Caesar" or "shift" cipher. A shift cipher is one of the simplest encryption techniques for text, and can easily be solved using a cryptograph wheel, if the key is known.
What's Happening?
Encryption is a way of hiding a message so that it is kept secret from everyone except the person the message is intended for. Computers use complicated encryption techniques to keep data such as your passwords safe, while simple codes and ciphers can help you send secret messages!
A cryptograph wheel helps to solve a "Caesar" or "shift" cipher. A shift cipher is one of the simplest encryption techniques for text, and can easily be solved using a cryptograph wheel, if the key is known.