micro:bit - Inspiring the Next Generation
As micro:bit continues to spread across the globe, more and more young people are being inspired to explore their creativity through coding and robotics. Canada-based STEM initiative Fair Chance Learning supported the students involved in an iEARN STEM-focused exchange program between the New India School in Pune, India and Wyevale Central Public School in Tiny, Canada - allowing students from both schools to collaborate on a themed project using the micro:bit platform as a base.
One student, twelve-year-old Aarush Sintre, from Pune, India, was so inspired by the micro:bit training he received that he has now set up his own YouTube channel, entitled 'micro:bits Are Awesome'. Prior to the project, Aarush had never seen a micro:bit and had no idea how to they worked. Over the course of the program he and his fellow students were introduced to simple projects such as the 'Lucky 8 Ball' - in which the device is programmed to deliver one of several random responses when shaken - followed by more complex coding and hardware work, culminating in a final project involving the creation of an RC DC Car featuring two micro:bits
The final project involved building an RC DC Car, using two micro:bits as a sender and a receiver that connected with each other via radio waves. For his participation, Fair Chance Learning provided Aarush and his fellow students with a pair of micro:bits, an inventors kit, a move mini kit and various sensors, wheels and components, to encourage them to pursue their own project work after the program had ended.
Fair Chance Learning is a formal partner of the micro:bit foundation, helping Canadian teachers to incorporate the micro:bit into their curriculum through workshops and training. They recently signed a deal with Kitronik to distribute micro:bit related products and accessories throughout the country.
iEARN is a global non-profit organisation that empowers teachers and young people to harness the power of new communications technologies to work together on a variety of educational initiatives. They are present in more than 30,000 schools and youth organisations across more than 140 countries.
Aarush continues to develop his interest in coding and robotics through micro:bit. You can find all his latest projects on his YouTube channel, micro:bits Are Awesome.