Holmeen Family Grant: Enhancing Computer Science Education with Micro:Bit Programming Boards & Yahboom Robots
- School Year: 2020-2021
- Applicants: Michael Wilkosz, Lead Teacher & Anthony Truss (Conard High School)
- School: Hall High School
- Subjects: Math, Science, Technology, Other (Computer Science)
The BBC micro:bit is a pocket-sized computer that introduces learners to how software and hardware work together. This platform was specifically created with the values of equity and access in mind to enable and inspire all children to become active participants in the digital world. Hall and Conard were jointly awarded a small technology grant of 30 micro:bits from Cyber.org. While this technology grant is allowing us to better serve our cohorts with hands-on cyber education, the realities of delivering the types of learning experiences that go along with the micro:bit has been especially challenging through the socially distant hybrid learning environment. With this grant, the classroom micro:bit platform will support a one-to-one ratio between students and devices for all students enrolled in the applicable classes for the 2020-2021 school year. In addition to securing more micro:bit bundles, an add-on kit that utilizes the micro:bit as the brain for a programmable robot will help to to better engage students to make learning and coding both easy and fun. Students for years to come will be better motivated to learn as much as they can in the areas of engineering, robotics, and electronics while at the same time learning about the underlying principles of cybersecurity and computer science.