“The digital sectors worldwide face a continuing shortage of programming skills. This has led to an increase in the development of educational programs that offer children access to programming knowledge through hands-on learning, helping them meet these challenges in the future,” said Peter Wenzel, Global Head of Software and Single Board Computing at Premier Farnell and Farnell element14. “At Farnell element14, the combination of our own proprietary boards, such as the BBC micro:bit and Codebug, and our successful manufacturing partnerships with other manufacturers like Raspberry Pi and BeagleBoard, means we can offer one of the most comprehensive ranges of educational boards on the market.”
“Physical computing offers real-world solutions for engaging new generations with technology, giving them the opportunity to design and create physical devices they can use in their daily lives while learning important skills,” adds Jonathan Smith, Head of Education at Premier Farnell. “Problem-solving and computational thinking are key skills our children will need to have acquired before finishing their education. This is where physical computing, including learning to program with devices like CodeBug and the BBC micro:bit, can help in the teaching process.”
The main products best suited for teaching programming at different ages are:
• CodeBug is a small programming device for students aged seven and up. Shaped like a ladybug, CodeBug offers a fun and engaging way to build interactive devices. The device incorporates 25 LEDs, two control buttons, and six “legs” that can be used to connect alligator clips, banana plugs, or even sewn onto.
The BBC micro:bit was created to teach students aged 11 and up. It measures 4 cm x 5 cm and is available in several colors with a fun and easy-to-use design. Like Codebug, it can be programmed without prior computer knowledge, but it has broader functionalities, such as motion detection, a built-in compass, and Bluetooth technology, to challenge young programmers as they develop their skills, exposing them to technologies that already exist in the world around them.
Farnell element14 has also released several add-ons for the BBC micro:bit, which help create fun projects with the necessary support for learning to program. These include mi:node, designed to teach young people the fundamentals of the Internet of Things as interconnectivity becomes part of their everyday lives, and the MBIT-WEARIT development kit, a versatile micro:bit case designed specifically for building mobile applications that can be worn on a wristband, keychain, or lanyard.
• The range of Arduino educational products in stock at Farnell element14 includes the Arduino CTC101 educational kit: the modular program aimed at teaching students between the ages of 13 and 17 the fundamentals of programming, electronics and mechanics, through a series of fun and well-documented projects and easy-to-assemble experiments.
“At Farnell element14, we want to support engineering and electronics education,” continues Peter Wenzel. “We’re not alone; leading global technology companies like Microsoft, Google, and Samsung are also working to address the industry-wide challenge of training more electronics engineers by creating content, courses, and platforms built around the products we manufacture and distribute. The range of boards and complementary products available from Farnell element14 is backed by guidance and support through online resources available in the STEM Academy and the widely used element14 community, which boasts over 500,000 members and is the largest forum of its kind for the engineering, student, and maker communities.”.
