Robots and Physical Computing

20-minute primary activity: Seeing the physical world as data with microbit This is a short classroom or STEM-club activity for primary children using a pre-prepared BBC micro. The aim is not to spend the session building the whole data logger, but to let children quickly see that a small device can measure the physical world and show those measurements changing on a screen. This activity builds on two earlier posts: DIY Data Science with microbits , especially Method 1, the “Direct Link” approach, and Detecting and logging magnetism with a microbit . These have a lot more detail on what is going on and why. This activity has been used and refined with 12 groups of up to 15 children at a time. I would suggest getting them into groups of 2-3 around a computer and a microbit. What you need 1 micro, already programmed in MakeCode blocks USB cable connected to a computer MakeCode open in a Chrome-based browser A small magnet or set of magnets A torch, phone light, or simply a way of coveri...