The Christianity-based St Patrick’s Primary School in Troon, United Kingdom, has taken centre stage in the exciting launch of the BBC’s ‘Micro: bit Next Gen,’ as young students from P5 to P7 showcased their digital skills using pocket-sized computers known as micro: bits.
The BBC captured their learning journey as part of the CBBC channel’s initiative to promote digital literacy and creativity among young minds.
The use of these pocket-sized computers is designed to make coding enjoyable and to ignite the imaginations of children, inspiring them to explore potential careers in fields such as cybersecurity, programming, and creative design.
The BBC’s filming efforts will bring the school’s innovative endeavours into the spotlight, with St Patrick’s Primary School set to feature in popular CBBC shows like “What’s in the Box,” “Wuzzle,” and “Awesome Drawsome.”
Amanda Pickard, a school teacher and the Digital Learning Development Officer for South Ayrshire Council expressed her amazement at the children’s rapid grasp of the technology.
She noted, “I was impressed with the children; it did not take them long to get creative with their micro: bit projects. These compact learning tools are the building blocks for constructing the student’s careers in prototyping, coding, and machine learning, to name but a few. Children must be given the chance to develop these skills as early as possible.”
Lynsey May, the Head Teacher at St Patrick’s Primary School, lauded the students for their outstanding efforts.
She emphasized that initiatives like these not only foster digital skills but also underscore the importance of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) subjects in today’s world. Furthermore, the teamwork in such projects helps students develop essential transferable skills, including communication.
May added, “It’s crucial that learning reflects the world beyond the classroom and the importance of digital technology in our daily lives.”
The BBC’s Next Gen project has ambitious plans to provide 30 free micro: bit computers to every primary school in the UK.
This initiative equips students with valuable digital skills and opens doors to the exciting possibilities of emerging technologies, ensuring they are well-prepared for the future.
