By now we’ve all heard of the Raspberry Pi, the tiny computing unit for DIY hackers and coding gurus. Now, there is a similar device called the BBC Micro Bit, a mini-computer that every 11-year-old in Britain is getting for free.
Similar to the Pi, the Micro Bit is a small, low-power, embedded device with inputs, outputs, and a processor. It’s equipped with an array of sensors, 25 LED lights, two programmable buttons, and Bluetooth; power is provided through an external battery pack or USB adapter. Intended to arrive last summer, the Micro Bit will be distributed to one million schoolchildren ages 11-12 in the UK.
Funding for the devices came from the BBC’s Make It Digital campaign, a UK-wide initiative to inspire a new generation to get creative with coding, programming, and digital technology.
The Micro Bit comes with a smartphone app and web portal for kids to use to get coding through a beginner-friendly interface. The makers of the device state that the kit is used to create games, robotic mechanisms, fitness trackers, and has almost limitless potentials. It also has the capability to interface with other devices, such as the Raspberry Pi.
“We can't wait to see what students will do with it,” said Sinead Rocks, head of BBC Learning. “They've already come up with all kinds of ideas during testing and at events around the country – some ideas help solve some of life's daily challenges, some could have business potential, and others are just great fun.”
The Micro Bit can transform and become just about anything, ranging from a remote control to a metal detector. Ultimately, the goal behind providing children with these devices is teach them how to program computers, and not just how to use them.
Source: ScienceAlert
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