UK primary school students aged 7-11 are invited to a new design competition.
- The challenge involves designing a gadget to enhance the performance of Gladiators.
- The competition is a collaboration with BBC Children’s and the Micro:bit Educational Foundation.
- Participants have until 6 December to submit three entries per school.
- Winning teams can receive computing equipment, a prototype and a special coding day.
The initiative is focused on challenging students in UK primary schools, specifically those aged between 7 and 11 years, to engage in a creative competition. This competition seeks to inspire the young minds by inviting them to design sports gadgets for the popular TV show, Gladiators. The involvement of BBC Children’s and Education alongside the Micro:bit Educational Foundation adds a layer of excitement and educational value to this venture.
Children are tasked with designing an innovative gadget using the BBC micro:bit, a compact computing device. The primary goal is to foster creativity and technological exploration among students, allowing them to contribute to a fantasy where they assist Gladiators in improving their athletic abilities. This competition is an opportunity for students to apply their knowledge and imagination in a hands-on project.
Commencing today, the competition runs until midday on Friday, 6 December. Schools can submit a maximum of three entries each. The process is designed to be accessible to all, regardless of prior coding knowledge. Creativity and imagination are the key elements, as expressed by the athletes involved.
Gladiator Phantom expressed enthusiasm for the initiative, stating, “We want to hear the exciting ideas children come up with to test our fitness. No need to know about coding, just use your imagination to set us a challenge.” Echoing this sentiment, 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.”
A particularly engaging aspect of the competition is the incentives for participation. The winning school will have their design turned into a prototype and enjoy a special visit from a Gladiator. Furthermore, they will receive a £500 voucher for computing equipment and a Gladiator-themed coding day, enhancing the educational experience by combining technology with interactive learning.
As Gareth Stockdale, CEO of the Micro:bit Educational Foundation, remarked, the fusion of the BBC micro:bit and Gladiators provides an exciting platform for children to engage with design thinking. He noted the value of such a process in teaching students and instilling a creative approach to problem-solving.
The competition is introduced with a Live Lesson, featuring Gladiator Phantom and Dynamite. This session aims to engage and inspire schools nationwide by offering real-time, curriculum-linked activities. For those inspired to delve deeper, BBC Teach provides free lesson plans to guide classroom activities in line with the competition.
This initiative promises to inspire creativity and innovation among children, providing a unique opportunity to blend education with entertainment.
