element14 community donates micro:bit devices

element14.com, the online community for engineers, has donated 250 micro:bit devices to support coding in the classroom, providing teachers around the world with the tools they need to facilitate a range of inspiring education projects. 

‘The Great micro:bit Education Giveaway’ was launched in August 2018 and invited STEM educators to submit a proposal for a project they would like to run using micro:bit. Twenty-five applicants were selected to receive a micro:bit club pack – each containing ten devices and related accessories including batteries, adapters and USB cables.

Vulnerable children in New Brunswick

The successful applicants were asked to document the progress of their projects on the element14 Community. Highlights included maker sessions for young and vulnerable children in New Brunswick, Canada, in a series of projects for G:RL Power Code Fest Americas – an event supporting young female coders in Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru – and the development of an interactive mental arithmetic challenge by a group of students in Pennsylvania.

Three projects which were deemed to have demonstrated exceptional merit and creativity were selected for special recognition and a micro:bit prize package to help further their development. Educators Robert Ancell from New Zealand, Andrei Beloiu from Romania and Wil Lindsay from the U.S. were announced as the winners.

Dianne Kibbey, Global Head of Community and Social Media for the element14 Community and Premier Farnell, said: “As a key distributing partner for the micro:bit foundation, promoting coding and digital literacy in education is one of our highest priorities. The overwhelming global response to our Great Education Giveaway is a testament to the incredible things STEM teachers can accomplish with the right tools and support.”