Online Physical Computing Workshop - Beginners
| Ideal Age: | 7 - 11 Years | |
| Dates: | Part 1 - Thursday 18th June | from 10:30am - 12:30pm |
| Part 2 - Monday 22nd June | from 2:00pm - 4:00pm | |
| Price: |
This workshop runs across 2 x 2 hour sessions and requires the Workshop Kit Workshop fee and Kit Option 1: £37.50
Workshop fee and Kit Option 2: £24.50
Workshop fee and Kit Option 3: £20.00
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| Choose Your Session | ||||
Description
This workshops introduces computer controlled games with a difference; the game they make will be a physical game rather than an 'on-screen' game. We'll work together across the workshops to build your child's personal version of the game 'Operation'. Children will create a program which records how many times the player accidentally completes the circuit by touching the board, when the maximum bumber of hits is reached a game over sound will be played.
This workshop challenge provides opportunities to learn and practice:
- Maker Skills
- Electronics
- Core fundamentals of programming taught at Key Stage 2 and Key Stage 3 including:
- Sequence
- Iteration
- Selection
- Variables
What will young participants need?
1 laptop with a power supply or a desktop computer:
- With either a built-in or external webcam and a microphone
- With a high-speed internet connection
- At a table with space around to work
- Earphones or a headset are recommended, except when parents are joining to support
- Workshop Kit:
- A micro:bit starter kit (we have stock of these available for purchase)
- A basic:bit (included in the workshop kit)
- 2 x croc leads (included in the workshop kit)
- Workshop materials:
- 2 empty cereals boxes
- Kicthen foil
- metal tweezers or 2 lolly sticks or similar
Will an adult need to accompany their child?
We ask that an adult remains present in the room. This request is with child safeguarding in mind.
This also means if your child runs into difficulties, there will be an adult on hand to support.
The adult doesn't have to take part in the session and could easily be sitting nearby achieving other tasks.
If your child is not confident at opening the croc leads, which can be tricky, please ensure that an adult is involved for the first 45 minutes of the workshop.
How will the workshop be run?
We will use a paid-for Zoom account which will be invitation only and will be locked once all participants have arrived. The workshop will be delivered by our experienced Enhanced DBS certified workshop facilitator. The zoom invitation will be sent to you before the workshop with instructions on how to join.
What kit is needed for the workshop?
During the workshop, kids will use the BBC micro:bit, a basic:bit and some croc leads. Your booking requirements depend on the kit you already have, we have 3 different options available:
Option 1 - For kids who don't have their own micro:bit. This kit includes the BBC micro:bit, the basic:bit add-on for the micro:bit, a set of croc leads and the workshop fee for 2 sessions
Option 2 - For kids who have their own micro:bit, but don't have a basic:bit and croc leads. This option includes the basic:bit add-on, a set of croc leads and the workshop fee for 2 sessions
Option 3 - For kids who have previsouly participated in the Soil Moisture Alarm workshop and so already have the BBC micro:bit, the basic:bit and the croc leads This option includes the workshop fee for the 2 sessions and no kit.
Can you tell me more about the workshop itself?
This workshop uses a free online programming environment which allows the workshop facilitator to efficiently support your child whilst coding.
During the workshop, our workshop facilitator will welcome the group and introduce how to use video communication software as a member of a group and share the expectations.
After the initial introduction, we will begin teaching kids to code, moving on to the workshop itself where kids will:
- Find out about circuits and simple electronics
- Connect the parts for their make
- Explore the free programming platform used in the workshop to code their game
- Learn about the fundamentals of programming
- Build the code for their make
- Transform a cereal box and some foil into their own version of the popular game Operation, which they can play and proudly share!
By the end of the workshop, kids will have a simple understanding of electronics and be familiar with the free online environment introduced in the workshop.
Equipment used in this workshop can be used in other workshops.