IMechE and Micro:bit Educational Foundation

Overview

The Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) has partnered with Micro:bit Educational Foundation to develop digital literacy and problem-solving skills in primary school children. Earlier this year IMechE members supported the judging of the BBC Gladiators micro:bit competition which saw hundreds of entries from children across the country.

IMechE will be providing free micro:bit training, resources and guidance to upskill its STEM Ambassadors and to enable them to support schools across their education outreach activities in the uptake of micro:bits which were donated to schools all over the UK as part of the BBC micro:bit – the next gen campaign.

Training and support

micro:bit resources

This curated set of resources below can help you prep for your time in school or help the teacher with their first lesson using their class micro:bits. The microbit.org website also offers a wide range of additional free projects, lessons and resources available to download which will benefit your school sessions.

• Introduction to the BBC micro:bit

• Meet the tiny computer (introduction to micro:bit)
• First lessons with Makecode and micro:bit – a professional development course which Introduces a sequence of six projects that are perfect to introduce learners to coding on the micro:bit using Microsoft MakeCode.
• Practical tips for teachers using the BBC micro:bit

• Beating Heart
• Name badge
• Sunlight sensors
• Rock, paper, scissors

• First lessons with Makecode and micro:bit - this is a unit of six lessons which provide a pathway through 6 practical projects

BBC micro:bit – the next gen

The BBC micro:bit – the next gen campaign was a campaign by BBC, Micro:bit Educational Foundation and Nominet launched in 2023 to deliver free micro:bit kits and resources to every primary school in the UK.

• BBC micro:bit – the next gen
• Introduction to micro:bit assembly film
• Gladiators inventor workshop