Newark element14 delivers micro:bits to teach Canadian children to code

Newark element14, the ‘development distributor’, is helping KidsCode Jeunesse roll out 100,000 micro:bits across Canada to support the country’s CanCode initiative. The micro:bits will be used by young people across Canada through a multi-partner agreement led by KidsCode Jeunesse, a bilingual national non-profit organization helping build long-term sustainable digital skill communities for Canadian children in every province and territory across the country. 

Newark element14 is the sole distributer of micro:bits in Canada and has an exclusive contract with The Micro:bit Educational Foundation for the manufacture of micro:bits through its parent company Premier Farnell.

“As a father of four, the challenge of ensuring our younger generation is equipped with skills for the future is very close to home” said Dan Hill, president of Newark element14. “Newark element14 is committed to getting kids coding and helping to develop the next generation of engineers. Our partnership with The Micro:bit Educational Foundation is one way in which we do this. We have already seen this small coding device successfully integrated into large education programmes in the United Kingdom and Iceland, giving a whole generation within the country a head start in a global economy increasingly shaped by technology. It is fantastic to be partnering with KidsCode Jeunesse and helping the Government of Canada with this important initiative.”

Jonathan Smith, head of education at Premier Farnell added: “Physical computing provides real solutions for engaging the younger generation in technology, giving them the opportunity to design and create physical devices that they can use in their lives, whilst learning important skills.  Problem solving and computational thinking are predicted to be key skills that children today will need when they leave education – physical computing including learning to code with the micro:bit can help teach these. Our relationship with The Micro:bit Educational Foundation is focused on putting as many micro:bits in kids hands as possible and we are delighted that the Government of Canada has chosen initiatives which use the micro:bit for their coding programme.”

The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage, together with David Lametti, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, announced local funding under the Government of Canada’s CanCode program last week. CanCode funds coding and other digital skills training for Canadian youth to prepare them for the jobs of the future. Through this programme the micro:bit will be used to teach coding to groups in the classroom, libraries and  science centres.