Starting with Sumerian cuneiform, Egyptian hieroglyphs, Chinese logograms and characters, then moving to the phonecian alphabet, Arabic numerals, and written languages, and finally codes like Morse, Braille, and binary (the language of computers), students will explore the different ways symbols can express meaning and how different languages can be constructed. Experiments include writing cuneiform in clay, drawing hieroglyphs on "papyrus" (make your own paper experiment + drawing), doing calligraphy with ink and brushes, writing a message in Braille using small grains and glue on paper, sending a message in Morse using light or sound, and finally even creating your own language/alphabet.