04 Apr 2023

04 Apr 2023
Would you like to get your students innovating and creating with digital tools? Now you can help them focus on the ‘T’ and ‘E’ in STEM as students engineer digital solutions with the new Microcontroller kit and the micro:bit.
Digital technologies form an important part of the primary science syllabus as well as secondary learning at various levels, including Yr 7-8. There is a focus on computational and design thinking incorporating learning around coding.
The new Microcontroller kit and the micro:bit have been designed to provide a collection of tech for students to develop smart solutions and automated systems to scenarios that are important to them.
The Microcontroller kit helps students create digital solutions by encouraging computational thinking as they ideate their solutions. Micro:bit is a mini circuit board that needs programming with code to create. Students simply program on their computer with code, and then connect and download to the micro:bit, to bring projects to life. Students code their micro:bit with MakeCode, a learn-to-code online platform that enables students to create interactive and engaging programming experiences.
The Microcontroller kit comes with a set of 18 components, making the possibilities almost limitless. There is no computer in the kit, so schools will need to provide their own devices, such as a notebook or iPad. The kit has been created to support schools to explore the iSTEM course.
If you’re keen to get started and would like to learn more, visit the stem.T4L Learning Library or explore Part 1 and Part 2 by making a copy of the micro:bit learning journals.
If you are keen to learn more about this innovative technology, check out this collection of learning challenges and video examples that the stem.T4L team have put together to demonstrate what you can do with the micro:bit.
You can also explore various activities that you and your students can do with the power of the micro:bit and the stem.T4L Microcontroller kit. These include designing a smart / digital amusement park ride, creating a smart / digital bicycle helmet or even designing a smart / digital farm.
For ideas and professional learning for teachers (even if they are new to it themselves) for the microcontroller kit as well as how to access technologies for their students to learn essential skills, visit the kit page in the stem.T4L Learning Library and use your school email to log in.
If you need support with the kit, visit the stem.T4L Learning Library support page.
address
T4L Utilisation & Innovation Headquarters
Level 8 West, 8 Central Ave Eveleigh 2015
P: 1300 323 232 (via EDConnect)
E: stem.t4l@det.nsw.edu.au
(STEM Kit bookings)
E: t4l@det.nsw.edu.au
(Computer equipment rollout)
telephone 1300 323 232
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