Question: How many Micro Bits are planned to be given away to school children by the BBC?
Answer: 1,000,000
It was last May that the BBC unveiled the ambitious plan to give a million school children these small devices. After a few bumps in the road, the Micro Bits are finally being handed out to year 7 children in the UK.
If you are unsure on what a Micro Bit is, let me explain.
The BBC have developed a device that is planned to be used in computer education in the UK. The 4 x 5 cm device was designed to encourage children to get involved in coding and writing software for computers. It has been designed to work alongside other interesting devices, such as the Raspberry Pi.
The devices have a lot of different components. Here is a list of some of the most interesting parts:
- 2 programmable buttons
- 3 digital/analogue input/output rings
- 25 individually programmable LEDs
- A Bluetooth Smart Antenna
- A Micro USB connecter
- A Battery connecter
- An accelerometer and compass
Some have had access to the Micro Bit earlier than others, and have already come up with really interesting projects. The Yorkshire school sent one up 20 miles into the air on a balloon to take pictures of its journey into the stratosphere. When it returned, they used GPS to track it and harvest the devices data.
Big claims have been made for how this project and it’s technology can change the way that children learn and engage with technology. It is now in the teacher’s hands to make that happen
One of the key features of the Micro Bits is that they are not the property of the schools or the teachers, but the children. It seems as though some teachers don’t really like that idea and it is believed that significant numbers seem to be suggesting that the schools will try to hold on to the devices and discourage students from taking them home. Hopefully this is not the case!
With the nature of work changing so rapidly due to technological advances, this project should give those children who want a future job in technology a head start and inspire the generation to be more suited to future work places. Without a doubt, the need for tech experts is growing more and more each
Education Quizzes has always been a great supporter of the BBC, especially the educational department. We look forward to seeing how well this exciting project goes.
What do you think about the project? Maybe you have a child that will be getting one soon! If so, what do they think about it? We would love to hear.