How the Internet Works

Go behind the scenes of the internet — discover how data travels from your device to a website and back in milliseconds.

Grade 6-8Intermediate50 min75 pts

About This Lesson

Every time you visit a website, an incredible journey happens in milliseconds. In this lesson, you'll trace exactly how your request travels through the internet and comes back with the information you asked for.

Essential Question

When you type a website URL and press Enter, what do you think happens in the next 0.5 seconds?

Standards

CSTA 2-CS-02, ISTE 1d

Learning Objectives

1Explain how data is broken into packets and transmitted across networks
2Identify the roles of IP addresses, DNS, and HTTP in web communication
3Trace the journey of a web request from browser to server and back

Materials Needed

Chromebook or tablet
Network diagram worksheet
Ping simulation activity cards

Key Topics

internetnetworkingIP addressdataprotocols