Micro:Bit

It’s time for you to meet another one of our partners. Micro:bit! Micro:bit is a pocket-sized computer that teaches young people how software and hardware work together. As they describe it: “It has an LED light display, buttons, sensors and many input/output features that you can program and physically interact with. The latest micro:bit adds sound sensing and playback capabilities.” At this point, I bet you’re wondering if a micro:bit is a computer, or some sort of game.

It’s size suggests that it is a game, but it also looks like a computer; or what you imagine the inside of a computer looks like.

Micro:bit is a microcontroller. A microcontroller is a small computer on a single integrated circuit that is designed to perform a specific function. For example, there is a microcontroller in your microwave.

It takes information from the keypad, and tells the microwave what to do (i.e. how much power to use and for how long). Likewise, micro:bit is a microcontroller that can be programmed to perform specific tasks. It has input and output devices like buttons and an LED display. It also has a microprocessor, a memory and storage. Together, they enable micro:bit to be programmed to do a number of things; like keep track of time, programme and play a game, or skip tracks through a playlist. Much of this programming happens on a computer, which is connected to micro:bit via USB. Like Scratch, micro:bit uses code blocks to guide new programmers.

Altogether, micro:bit helps students learn by doing; which helps memory retention, increases student ownership of their learning, and makes computer science and programming more accessible. Especially to people who are underrepresented in the field. People whose diverse and divergent experiences will inspire innovative ideas that drive the next generation.

According to micro:bit, in British schools that used micro:bit, “70% of girls said they would choose Computer Science as a subject; 90% of students said the micro:bit showed them anyone can code; [and] 86% of students said the micro:bit made Computer Science more interesting.” These statistics are why STEAMLabs Africa uses micro:bit in our programmes.

We want STEAM to be more accessible because we know that there are valuable lessons for everyone in it; even if you don’t grow up to become a coder or the next tech billionaire. Micro:bit helps make STEAM more accessible to everyone: to the teachers nurturing the next generation, to our young students discovering their potential and to their parents preparing the future to meet that potential.

Please reach out, if you’d like to learn more about our programmes!