BBC micro:bit (IoT) Workshop

Chaos Created

Our BBC micro:bit Workshop teaches your class about the micro:bit, a small but powerful Internet of Things computer which is capable of running some amazing applications! The device has sensors (including an accelerometer for detecting motion, a thermometer, buttons, touch sensors and more) and can communicate with other devices, and your pupils will explore these capabilities through creating some fun and capable apps and games.

We bring our own micro:bits (if your school doesn’t yet have any) and introduce your students to MakeCode, the coding language that the micro:bit uses, and teach them the fundamentals of coding before we work on some really fun projects! For older students, we can even use Python and JavaScript with the micro:bit!

This workshop is great for teaching coding fundamentals, and we progress from drag-and-drop coding into using a real programming language. During the workshop, we will build some fun and exciting apps and games that run on the micro:bit exposing the students to its capabilities, teaching them programming skills, and inspiring them to take coding further.

school trip at BBC micro:bit (IoT) Workshop

school groups BBC micro:bit (IoT) Workshop

Teacher Checklist

Resource Packs

Where we travel to

We can visit your school in:

What activities are available during this school workshop?

Coding for the BBC micro:bit
Coding of apps (including fitness trackers, weather stations, messaging apps and more)
Coding of games (creating games that can be played on the micro:bit)
Exploration of sensors and data
Coding fundamentals such as loops, variables, conditional programming and more

Which curriculum topics do we cater for?

Computing

Robotics Coding Information and Communications Technology

Click to read full text Through our micro:bit projects, pupils will not just learn about how programming through projects led by real-world app and games developers, but also learn about computing more generally. They will explore how computers work and process commands, how sensors and data power the applications on the micro:bit and in the wider world of computing, how to use an emulator for testing their code and how to connect devices and transfer files. They will also have the chance to create their own sprites and animations for the micro:bit, create sound effects and music for their projects, and more. Our coding workshops focus on improving digital literacy as a whole.

What size groups do we cater for?

A class-sized group (up to 30), and we have a full-day, deep dive version of this workshop available, along with a half-day version (which allows us to work with two classes in a day). We have versions of this workshop available for Primary and Secondary schools with projects for different ages, experience and abilities.

Access for visitors with disabilities

Yes Please let us know more about your group and we will get back to you with more details about the suitability of what we offer.

Visitors with Special Educational Needs (SEN)

We run our workshop with students of all abilities and regularly work with SEN students, specialist schools and groups. Please contact us to discuss this.

Anything else?

What makes our workshops unique is that they are delivered by real-world app and games developers. Our games and apps have been featured on BBC Click. We aim to not just teach your pupils skills, but to inspire them to pursue coding further.

Who are Chaos Created?

Chaos Created is a web design and app and games development agency based in Portishead, Bristol. They have worked with well-known clients such as Tesco, Nokia, Carphone Warehouse, TES and TeenTech and have also produced innovative and acclaimed games and apps such as Timedancer, Zombies Ate My City, and Langeroo. Their Code Created initiative is designed to teach young people how to make apps and games, improve digital literacy, increase diversity in the tech industry and inspire the next generation of innovators.