Primary school children in the UK are invited to participate in a unique competition.
- The challenge is to design a gadget that enhances the performance of popular Gladiators.
- BBC Children’s and Education, alongside Micro:bit Educational Foundation, spearheads this initiative.
- Participants will use the micro:bit computer in their designs, fostering creativity and technological skills.
- Winners will enjoy significant rewards, including a visit from a Gladiator and computing equipment.
In an innovative move, primary school children aged 7 to 11 across the United Kingdom are being presented with an exhilarating opportunity to design gadgets intended to enhance the performance of their cherished Gladiators. This initiative is crafted to inspire creativity and technological exploration among young minds.
The challenge, organized by BBC Children’s and Education in collaboration with the Micro:bit Educational Foundation, invites schools to envision and submit pioneering designs that incorporate the versatile micro:bit computer. This pocket-sized device serves as the foundation for creating advances in sporting performance, encouraging children to stretch their imaginative boundaries.
Commencing on October 15th and running until December 6th, the competition offers an exciting platform where students can showcase their inventive prowess. The competition not only promises a hands-on educational experience but also cultivates an interest in STEM fields. Enthusiastic participants are required to compose their ideas by leveraging the capabilities of the micro:bit, though proficiency in coding is not necessary, only a zestful imagination.
Rewards for creativity are substantial. The winning entry will earn its school a special visit from a Gladiator, a £500 voucher to purchase computing equipment, and the chance to see their creative vision reproduced as a prototype gadget. Furthermore, the top 50 entries will receive classroom sets of micro:bits, providing substantial aid in advancing technological learning and engagement within schools.
Key figures involved in this initiative have expressed their enthusiasm and aspirations. The Gladiator known as Phantom remarked, “We want to hear the exciting ideas children come up with to test our fitness.” Gladiator Dynamite added, “Technology can really help improve performance by measuring lots of different aspects including speed, force, and balance. So, get creative and think about fun ways to use the BBC micro:bit to improve our sporting performance.”
Helen Foulkes from BBC’s educational department underscored the collaborative and inspiring nature of this project, emphasizing the versatility of the BBC micro:bit. To facilitate engagement, an exclusive Live Lesson featuring Gladiators Phantom and Dynamite is being offered to integrate fun design and technology activities aligned with the curriculum. This session is available on the BBC Teach platform, providing an opportunity to motivate and prepare students to participate in this competition.
Gareth Stockdale, CEO of the Micro:bit Educational Foundation, highlighted the vast potential of the competition. With nearly 700,000 micro:bits already distributed to UK schools, this endeavor aims to harness the existing resources to maximize educational benefits. The collaboration with BBC’s Gladiators aims to fuse the excitement of sports with the analytical skills promoted through STEM education.
The competition stands as a testament to the unyielding potential of youthful creativity when paired with technological innovation.
