Classroom mode

Run it in class

How does a phone shrink a huge photo small enough to send in a flash?

Show of hands — before you project anything

Predict first: the phone folds up boxes that are the same color. Which shrinks more — a plain sky or a confetti photo? Why?

  • A Way more than you'd guess
  • B About what you'd guess
  • C Way less than you'd guess

Count the votes out loud. Hold them to it — then watch.

Project it (fullscreen)

Discussion prompts

  • Predict first: the phone folds up boxes that are the same color. Which shrinks more — a plain sky or a confetti photo? Why?
  • Predict first: if you added one stray red pixel into the middle of a long blue row, what would happen to the count of tags?
  • Real photos still send fast even though they're busy. Predict how — what do you think the phone gives up to make that happen?

Where it shows up in real life

  • A photo that's 'too big to text' until the phone compresses it
  • A plain screenshot of a webpage that saves as a tiny file
  • A detailed nature photo that stays a big file no matter what

A prediction-first worksheet — no answer key.

zero prep · no login · any projector

Winding down at home? Family mode · Explore every question