Pocket-Sized Power: Girls in STEM Get Coding with Micro:bits

This week’s Girls in STEM Club session at the Discovery Science and Technology Centre was an exciting, hands-on adventure led by Jess, who introduced the girls to the amazing world of micro:bits! The session kicked off with a lively discussion about computers, devices the girls use every day at school and home, and what they need to work, such as keyboards, Wi-Fi, USB connections, and power.

The real fun began when each participant received a micro:bit and battery pack to explore. The girls grouped themselves based on the numbers displayed on their devices, then eagerly experimented by pressing buttons A and B, individually and together, to uncover what their micro:bits could do. There was plenty of excitement as they discovered that pressing both buttons activates an accelerometer, allowing the micro:bit to respond to movement like shaking!

As their confidence grew, so did their curiosity. The girls learned that connecting multiple micro:bits can unlock even more powerful possibilities, including sensing temperature, light, and sound. Jess brought these ideas to life by sharing real-world examples, from smart farming systems that protect plants and animals to everyday appliances like ovens that respond to temperature changes.

Armed with iPads, the girls stepped confidently into the role of creators, using block coding to design their very own micro:bit programs. They built sequences, added button controls, displayed messages, and even brought their projects to life with music! Through constant testing and refining, they improved their designs and discovered how to transfer their code via Bluetooth, to enable their creations come to life.

By the end, the girls confidently concluded that micro:bits are tiny, powerful, pocket-sized computers that make learning coding creative, fun, and full of possibilities!