Description
Quick question: which came first — JavaScript or Rust?
Many students have no idea. And that's exactly what makes this activity so fun.
"Which Came First?" is a printable CS history trivia challenge that covers 15 programming language matchups — from Ada Lovelace's algorithm all the way to Kotlin — and asks students to trust their instincts, make educated guesses, and then reckon with how much computing history happened before they were born.
It takes 5 minutes to run. It sparks 20 minutes of conversation. And it costs nothing.
WHAT'S INCLUDED:
Student Trivia Sheet — Two half-page sheets per printed page (paper-saver layout). Each row lists two programming languages side by side. Students check the one they think came first. 15 rounds, 1 point each, self-scored.
Answer Key — Includes the correct answer for every matchup plus the actual year each language was introduced — from Machine code (1940s) to Kotlin (2016). Great for post-activity discussion or display.
Teacher Instructional Notes — Includes learning goals, suggested timing (5–10 minutes as a bell ringer or 15–20 with discussion), classroom tips, and optional discussion prompts like "Which ones surprised you?" and "Which languages do you want to learn more about?"
Skills Practiced:
- CS and tech history
- critical thinking and educated guessing
- timeline reasoning
- discussion and curiosity-building
Great for:
- high school computer science teachers introducing programming history or prepping students for languages like Python, Java, or Scratch
- tech club facilitators needing a fast warm-up
- substitute teachers who want zero-prep engagement
- homeschool families exploring technology history in a low-pressure, game-style format
Which Came First? Programming Languages Trivia — Printable Computer Science Game
Highlights
Description
Quick question: which came first — JavaScript or Rust?
Many students have no idea. And that's exactly what makes this activity so fun.
"Which Came First?" is a printable CS history trivia challenge that covers 15 programming language matchups — from Ada Lovelace's algorithm all the way to Kotlin — and asks students to trust their instincts, make educated guesses, and then reckon with how much computing history happened before they were born.
It takes 5 minutes to run. It sparks 20 minutes of conversation. And it costs nothing.
WHAT'S INCLUDED:
Student Trivia Sheet — Two half-page sheets per printed page (paper-saver layout). Each row lists two programming languages side by side. Students check the one they think came first. 15 rounds, 1 point each, self-scored.
Answer Key — Includes the correct answer for every matchup plus the actual year each language was introduced — from Machine code (1940s) to Kotlin (2016). Great for post-activity discussion or display.
Teacher Instructional Notes — Includes learning goals, suggested timing (5–10 minutes as a bell ringer or 15–20 with discussion), classroom tips, and optional discussion prompts like "Which ones surprised you?" and "Which languages do you want to learn more about?"
Skills Practiced:
- CS and tech history
- critical thinking and educated guessing
- timeline reasoning
- discussion and curiosity-building
Great for:
- high school computer science teachers introducing programming history or prepping students for languages like Python, Java, or Scratch
- tech club facilitators needing a fast warm-up
- substitute teachers who want zero-prep engagement
- homeschool families exploring technology history in a low-pressure, game-style format
