Jersey City Invent to Learn with the micro:bit Workshop
An Amazing Day of Creative STEAM Learning Adventures
April 14, 2023
9 AM – 3 PM
Franklin School
80 Town Square Place
Jersey City, NJ
Explore computational thinking, computer programming, engineering, and electronics with the powerful, popular, user-friendly, and affordable BBC micro:bit.
Participants in this one-of-a-kind workshop will enjoy a presentation by expert educator Dr. Gary Stager and a day of guided, hands-on projects. Leave with everything you need to create exciting learning adventures for students!
Registrants will also receive:
- A BBC micro:bit version 2 kit
- A copy of the fantastic new book, The Invent To Learn Guide to the micro:bit by Pauline Maas and Peter Heldens
- A copy of the book, Twenty Things to Do with a Computer – Forward 50
An $85 value free with registration!
The marriage of the micro:bit and block-based MakeCode software makes an amazing array of projects possible for learners of all ages. Complex challenges become simple and accessible. This workshop is suitable for beginners and experienced users alike.
Workshop participants will learn to:
- Program the BBC micro:bit in Microsoft MakeCode
- Understand what’s new in the micro:bit v. 2
- Lead dozens of creative classroom micro:bit projects
- Connect motors, lights, and sensors to the micro:bit
- Create music and animation
- Use Scratch with the micro:bit
- Employ computational thinking in game design
- Communicate wirelessly between micro:bits
- Use the new data-logging functionality
- Explore a range of expansion boards for the micro:bit
Workshop leaders
Veteran educator Gary Stager, Ph.D. is the author of Twenty Things to Do with a Computer – Forward 50, co-author of Invent To Learn — Making, Tinkering, and Engineering in the Classroom, publisher at Constructing Modern Knowledge Press, and the founder of the Constructing Modern Knowledge summer institute. In 1990, he led professional development in the world’s first 1:1 laptop schools and designed one of the oldest online graduate school programs for educators.
When Jean Piaget wanted to better understand how children learn mathematics, he hired Seymour Papert. When Dr. Papert wanted to create a high-tech alternative learning environment for incarcerated at-risk teens, he hired Gary Stager. This work was the basis for Gary’s doctoral dissertation and documented Papert’s final institutional research project. Recently, Dr. Stager enjoyed the great honor of teaching in Reggio Emilia, Italy. Learn more about Gary’s work, accomplishments, and awards here.
Sylvia Martinez, a former aerospace engineer, is co-author of the book, Invent to Learn: Making, Tinkering, and Engineering in the Classroom, called “the bible of the classroom maker movement in schools.” Sylvia speaks to and works with schools around the world and is president of Constructing Modern Knowledge Press, creating books and professional development advocating using modern technology for learning. Sylvia is also the principal advisor to the NSF-funded FabLearn Fellows program at Columbia University.
Prior to that, Sylvia ran the educational non-profit Generation YES, designed and programmed educational software and video games, and designed GPS navigation and high frequency receiver systems.