micro:bit in libraries

by Les Pounder

"Libraries gave us power"

(c) Manic Street Preachers - A Design For Life

We now have 60 micro:bit in the hands of all eight libraries in Blackpool and the Fylde coast!

Thanks to Amy Hearn from Kirklees Libraries, and the micro:bit Foundation we are taking part in a trial where micro:bits can be loaned from the library, in the same manner as borrowing a book.

So you can pop into your local Blackpool library and borrow a micro:bit, take it home and build your first project.

Training

I offered to take the training and tech support lead for this project in Blackpool. So as part of this role, I conducted a 3 hour training session for librarians / staff members where we created projects using the new PXT editor which is really easy to use.

We covered

  • Setting up the micro:bit
  • Scrolling your name across the LED matrix
  • Inputs, shaking and button presses
  • Outputs, LEDs and buzzers
  • Making music

The final project was to create a 2 player reaction game where players need to press a button quicker than their friend!

I have another session to complete with other members of staff, but feedback from the first session was good.

Support

Each member of staff were briefed on what a micro:bit kit looks like, and how they should be loaned. I also explained a few front line tech support issues that they might face (missing leads, damaged units etc).

Ongoing

I've volunteered to run micro:bit sessions in libraries across Blackpool, to enable anyone interested to learn more about these great boards, and perhaps spark an interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths in the minds of the Fylde coast's children. I've also mentioned about a summer programme to help board children in the summer holidays to make cool projects!