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STEMNET supporting the BBC Micro Bit – It’s coming!
STEMNET is proud to be partnering with the BBC to raise awareness of the Micro Bit with schools right across the whole of the UK.
The BBC Micro Bit is a codeable device that will do whatever the children who get one programme it to do. Every child in the UK starting their first year of secondary school this autumn will be given one for free. The Micro Bit aims to introduce a generation of children to digital technology and coding in particular.
STEMNET is helping in two main ways. STEMNET’s national network of 45 Contract Holders have links with almost every UK secondary school and work to provide them with impartial advice and guidance about STEM enrichment and enhancement, such as the Micro Bit. STEMNET will also match you as STEM Ambassadors to help bring the Micro Bit to life in school sessions and inspire young people about digital industries.
The finished product is yet to be unveiled as design and testing work completes. Teachers have contributed to curriculum guidance on what works. Trials where children tested programming began with simple code but within weeks started to find serious potential including making metal detectors, thermometers, real time text messaging, weather forecasting and much more that children could create using a Micro Bit.
In the trials, nine out of ten students said that they had learned something new, eight out of ten said that the Micro Bit made them more interested in coding. Every teacher in the trial thought that the Micro Bit could be useful in teaching the curriculum.
A range of resources are planned to help adults supporting children to bring the Micro Bit to life. STEMNET will share these once available.
Up until autumn STEMNET are helping to spread the word to schools to let them know the Micro Bit is coming.
The BBC Micro Bit blog will be up-dated with further information about the new Micro Bit project as it becomes available.
We will also provide more information on our website as the project progresses. Contact MerseySTEM if you would like to arrange an Ambassador to visit your school… it’s FREE!
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