Kitronik Lesson in a Box – Visual Computing Pack for the BBC micro:bit

Designed by Teacher’s and tested by Pupil’s to save you time when teaching Visual Computing at KS3/KS4 (US equivalent – Grades 6-8/9-10).

Description:

The Lesson in a Box Visual Computing pack for micro:bit, available separately here, is a complete set of parts & teaching resources to enable successful cross-curricular lessons at KS3/4 (US equivalent – Grades 6-8/9-10). The subject packs come with a detailed lesson plan, cross-referenced to: class slides, workbooks/worksheets, checklists etc., technician’s notes and where appropriate, AFL guidance with answers and plenaries.

• The Kit covers the following subjects;
  • D and T.
  • Computing.
  • Physics/Combined Science.
  • Geography.
  • Enrichments

In developing this box we wanted it to be affordable, useful and robust enough for teachers to use again and again. The resources cover not only the KS3/KS4 (US equivalent – Grades 6-8/9-10) specifications but also personal development by encouraging pupils to view traditional STEM activities as having value across their curriculum.

The teaching resources included in this pack are set out in a ‘teacher-friendly way, with sufficient detail to enable you to ‘lift’ them, photocopy them and run your lesson(s) with minimal fuss straight out of the box.

Each lesson includes:

• Technicians Notes.
• Lesson plans/ Schemes of work.
• Slideshows.
• Workbooks/sheets.
• Assessment questions.
• Example code.

The activities in The Lesson in a Box Visual Computing pack utilise the BBC microbit, the Kitronik ZIP Halo HD for micro:bit and a clippable motor driver board designed specifically for these types of activities. The advantages of the microbit are that, while being easy to use, it is feature-packed and it can be coded with languages that suit every ability level.

Features:

• The Lesson in a Box (Visual Computing) is a complete set of electronics and teaching resources to enable successful cross-curricular lessons with minimal teacher effort.
• No soldering is required for technicians or students.
• The kit has been tried and tested by pupils and developed by teachers.
• These subject packs are a basic introduction to cross-curricular visual computing.
• The resources cover not only the KS3/KS4 (US equivalent – Grades 6-8/9-10) specifications but also personal development by encouraging pupils to view traditional STEM activities as having value across their curriculum.
• The subject packs come with a detailed lesson plan, cross-referenced to: class slides, workbooks/ worksheets, checklists etc., technician’s notes and where appropriate, AFL guidance with answers and plenaries.
• The sturdy reusable Gratnells tray is robust enough for teachers to use again and again.
• It’s fun to teach and fun to learn!

Contents:

• 1 x 2GB swivel USB stick, containing everything needed for planning and delivery of each lesson.
• 1 x Deep Gratnells storage tray.
• 1 x Translucent lid for tray.
• 11 x Kitronik ZIP Halo HD for micro:bit.
• 1 x Klip motor driver for BBC micro:bit.
• 1 x Right angle geared hobby motor.
• 1 x Solderless motor board for right angle geared hobby motor.
• 1 x 5 spoke injection moulded yellow wheel for Right angle geared hobby motor.
• 1 x Pack of 10 Crocodile Leads.
• 2 x M3 8mm Pan Head screws.
• 6 x Black cable ties.
• 10 x Rubber bands.
• 1 x Roll of double-sided tape.
• 1 x Kaleidoscope build poster.
• 1 x Egg drop poster.
• 1 x Mood light poster.
• 1 x Shake Table poster.
• 2 x Visual coding guide poster – Part 1.
• 2 x Visual coding guide poster – Part 2.
• 1 x Visual computing pack quick start guide.
• A set of Pre-cut cardboard templates for each experiment.
  • 1 x Pre-cut Simple buildings pack
  • 1 x Pre-cut Shake Table.
  • 1 x Pre-cut Mood light pack
  • 1 x Pre-cut 4/6 side Kaleidoscope pack.

Video:

What’s on the USB Drive:

On the USB you will find full teaching resources for 13 lessons and 2 enrichments as follows:

• Design & Technology;
  • KS3 Mood Light Cultures of Lighting Challenge (Scheme of Work – 6 lessons).
  • KS4 Design Prototyping (1 lesson).
• Computing;
  • KS3 Iteration and Loops (1 lesson).
  • KS4 Selection and If-Statements (1 lesson).
• Physical/Combined Science;
  • KS3 Air Resistance and Drag Experiments (1 lesson).
  • KS4 Visual Data Experiments (1 lesson).
• Geography;
  • KS3 Earthquake Shake Table Experiments – Strong Structures (1 lesson).
  • KS4 Earthquake Shake Table Experiments – Comparing Earthquakes (1 lesson).
• Enrichment/Open Days;
  • Dance and Light Challenge.
  • Kaleidoscope Challenge.
• The USB drive also contains;
  • Teacher’s and Technician’s Guides.
  • DXF files for making additional cardboard templates.
  • A printable template for cutting by hand is also included as a PDF.
  • The code HEX files for each lesson.
  • Solderless TT motor board assembly guide.

Requires:

• 11 x BBC micro:bit.

Resources:

• Tech Talks – Halo HD live stream playback.
• What is Lesson in a box and who is it for.
• Video: Overview of Lesson in a box.
• Tech Talk Livestream playback – Lesson in a box – The concept – Join Caroline Keep, Alasdair Trench & Kevin Spurr.