Mozilla Festival 2021 (March 8th – 19th, 2021)

Mozilla Festival 2021 (March 8th – 19th, 2021)

Manic micro:bits

In this session you will learn what a micro:bit is and take part in a live coding session. You will learn how to program a micro:bit using the virtual simulator so even if you don't have a micro:bit yet you can join in with the fun. We will learn how to program the microbit to create animations and add sounds. We will try and use the micro:bit to play a rock, paper, scissors. I will show all the other fun projects you can try yourself at home on the microbit website.


We're hoping that many efforts and discussions will continue after Mozfest. Share any ideas you already have for how to continue the work from your session.:

As I mentioned above, children can continue to work on the micro:bit ideas with all the exciting activities that are on the micro:bit website. I hope it might encourage some of the children to go and purchase a micro:bit to to continue exploring what is possible.

What is the goal and/or outcome of your session?:

I wish children to get to greater understanding of how things arround them work. Micro controllers like the micro:bit are present in many things around the home. I want children to be able see what is possible with coding and that it is fun.

How will you deal with varying numbers of participants in your session?:

30 children can work at one time in the micro:bit classroom environment. I am a class teacher so I am happy teachig this number. Anymore children that I will have to start a second micro:bit classroom in order to see their work but that is still possible.

Children will be responding to the challenges I set them on so I don't see any problems with having a large number of attendees.

Breakout rooms could be useful if a few children need specfic help, but a lot can be done though IM.

Nic is a self confessed IT geek. He is a primary school class teacher. He is a massive fan of physical computing and robotics.