School of Informatics

Live at launch of BBC micro:bit

Staff and students from Edinburgh Centre for Robotics will take part in the launch of BBC micro:bit, 24 February 2016.

Micro:bit is a UK-wide BBC  initiative which aims to inspire a new generation with digital technology. It combines a personal coding device with BBC Learning Lessons supported by television programmes and online activity involving the BBC’s Doctor Who, Eastenders, Radio 1, The One Show, Children in Need and BBC Weather.  

Edinburgh Centre for Robotics is a joint venture between the School of Informatics and the School of Engineering, University of Edinburgh and School of Engineering & Physical Sciences and the School of Mathematical & Computer Sciences, Heriot-Watt University.

Professor Sethu Vijayakumar and PhD students, Alexander Enoch (Edinburgh) and Iris Kyranou (Heriot Watt) will be live on BBC micro:bit Live Lesson at 11-11.45am Wednesday 24 February.

More on micro:bit

The BBC website says:

“The micro:bit is a handheld, fully programmable computer being given free to every Year 7 or equivalent child across the UK. It’s 70 times smaller and 18 times faster than the original BBC Micro computers used in schools in the early 1980s. You can use your BBC micro:bit for all sorts of cool creations, from robots to musical instruments – the possibilities are endless.”

There’s a website where participants can write code and see how it would play back on a BBC micro:bit online simulator, plus guides and resources for teachers and parents.

Wednesday’s Live Lesson aims to encourage Key Stage 3/3rd Level students to get creative, programming and making their own digital creations in school and at home.

Useful links

BBC micro:bit Live Lesson - Presenters and guests

BBC micro:bit Live Lessons website

BBC Micro:bit website

See the story on the Edinburgh Centre for Robotics website