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Workshop

Coding for Climate Action with the micro:bit

Code an early warning system to help children understand the importance of mitigating the effects of natural hazards with the micro:bit.

Coding for Climate Action with the micro:bit

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    Meet young people where they are at with a focus on climate action. In Coding for Climate Action, young people find out more about natural hazards and how they can be mitigated through the development of low-cost early warning systems.

    Using programming concepts such as sequence, selection and iteration, they work in pairs to prototype a solution to a global and local climate challenge. They achieve this through using radio transmission between two micro:bits and consider important design factors such as accessibility.

    They identify how careers in Computing and Engineering can lead to using technology for good and saving lives of other young people in developing countries.

    During this workshop, the pupils work in small teams and develop their problem-solving skills through pair programming and collaborative communication.

    Workshops are available for KS2 and KS3 pupils. At KS3, the workshop is best suited to students in Years 7 and 8. See here for the KS3 workshop.

    Key information

    • Capacity: 12 to 30 students per class.
    • This workshop is free for schools in the following areas: Birmingham, Swindon, Reading, West Berkshire, Oxfordshire, Leeds, Devon, Portsmouth, Essex, Kent, Cardiff, Swansea.
    • Outside of these areas, the cost is £600 for a full day delivery with two classes or £400 for a half day with one class. Bursaries are available to apply for - see the DIGIT website for more details.
    • The charity can, depending on location, bring along micro:bits and Chromebooks if required by schools that don't have access to these resources.

    Learning outcomes

    • Improve engagement, interest or enjoyment in STEM subjects

    • Improve attainment and progress in STEM subjects

    • Learning what the engineering workplace is like

    • Develop engineering employability skills

    • Improve awareness and aspirations for STEM-related study and careers

    • Challenge stereotypes by showing the diversity of disciplines, people and skills involved in engineering

    Subjects and topics

      • Computing
      • Design and Technology
      • Engineering
      • Electronics, robotics and programming
      • Energy and environment
      • General engineering
      • Humanitarian aid
      • Mechanical engineering, systems and processes

    Gatsby benchmarks

    The Gatsby benchmarks are a framework for good careers guidance for schools across all of England and in some areas across the rest of the UK. This experience helps your school to reach the following benchmarks:

    • Learning from career and labour market information
    • Addressing the needs of each pupil
    • Linking curriculum learning to careers

    Essential skills

    The essential skills every young person needs to succeed in education and their future career. Find out more at the Skills Builder Partnership. This experience builds the following skills:

    • Problem solving - Finding solutions to challenges

    • Teamwork - Working cooperatively with others to achieve a shared goal

    What the teachers say

    We would love to read all about your time with this experience!

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