[Microbit-Python] PyCon UK proposal - Enriching Maths and Physics teaching with Micro:bit motion sensors

Mon Jul 11 09:50:29 EDT 2016

I have one Microbit via the STEM network, but according to the local STEM office they had to jump through significant hoops to get hold of a few. If there is a route for people in our situation (developing/promoting the product off our own backs), then please let me know too!

I’m waiting to see what comes of this proposal for PyCon; I have a full electronics development workshop at home (aka half the spare room) so am happy to help with development and testing.

All the best

Nigel

From: Microbit [mailto:microbit-bounces+nigel.kendrick=gmail.com at python.org] On Behalf Of Leona So via Microbit
Sent: 11 July 2016 13:47
To: Nevil Hunt <nevil.hunt at hotmail.co.uk>
Cc: Leona So <leonaso43 at googlemail.com>; Stestagg <stestagg at gmail.com>; mail at stevesimmons.com; microbit at python.org
Subject: Re: [Microbit-Python] PyCon UK proposal - Enriching Maths and Physics teaching with Micro:bit motion sensors

Hi Nevil,

That would be brilliant! I need to get hold of a microbit first, because I work at college we don't get any, and it seems impossible to buy one anywhere, unless you know where I could get hold of one?

The best thing for teachers to take away would always be pin-pointing exactly where it fits in the teaching curriculum, and how to move on from the project, which, I would be able to help.

I will be on leave from this Thursday until mid August, so may be slow in replying emails!

Thanks and I look forward to support you on this!

Regards,

Leona

On Mon, Jun 27, 2016 at 6:12 PM, Nevil Hunt <nevil.hunt at hotmail.co.uk <mailto:nevil.hunt at hotmail.co.uk> > wrote:

Hi Stephen, Leona, Nigel,

If your ideas need extra sensors connected to the micro:bit I'm happy to send you some of the boards I've had made which make doing so easier (see attached photos)

zbit:builder bolts onto the bottom of the micro:bit and provides a grid for components to be soldered with access to all GPIO and power.

zbit:breadboard is similar but requires no soldering.

Also, I've just submitted a proposal to demonstrate some of my other zbit:connect boards on Teachers day at PyCon so I look forward to meeting you and anyone else involved with micro python on that day.

Regards,

Nevil

  _____  

To: microbit at python.org <mailto:microbit at python.org> 
From: mail at stevesimmons.com <mailto:mail at stevesimmons.com> 
Date: Mon, 27 Jun 2016 01:20:58 +0100
Subject: [Microbit-Python] PyCon UK proposal - Enriching Maths and Physics teaching with Micro:bit motion sensors
CC: stestagg at gmail.com <mailto:stestagg at gmail.com> ; leonaso43 at googlemail.com <mailto:leonaso43 at googlemail.com> 

Hi everyone,

I mentioned on this list a couple of weeks ago an idea to run a session at PyCon UK Teachers' Day on using the Micro:bit's motion sensors. 

A number of people - including Leona, Steve and Nigel (Cc-ed) - replied wanting to get involved.

Encouraged by this, I have just submitted the outline below. It hopefully gives the conference organisers enough to say "Yup, go for it" while leaving a lot of space for us to decide exactly what to present.

I am on holiday next week so will finally have time to email everyone who has expressed interest about working together sorting out the details.

Thanks
Stephen

Title: 
Enriching Maths and Physics teaching with Micro:bit motion sensors

What are you proposing? 
A workshop for Teachers' Day 
(duration/number of attendees are flexible. TBD with PyCon UK organisers)

Abstract: 
The BBC Micro:bit has powerful accelerometer and compass motion sensors. While they are fun for kids to play with, we show how they can also be used in class to bring some key Maths and Physics principles to life.

This workshop session is intended for teachers who want to learn about using  micro:bit in their classes. No specific knowledge of micro:bit or Python programming is assumed. People who already know Python and micro:bit are also welcome to join in, especially if you can help the teachers get started.

Teachers and helpers are asked to send their ideas for teaching examples to me at mail at stevesimmons.com <mailto:mail at stevesimmons.com>  well before the Teachers' Day. We will write up several examples to present in full, with some others as group exercises.   

Why will people be interested: 
This is a practical session to help teachers integrate micro:bit into their classes. It can accommodate all levels of experience and teachers and non-teachers are welcome. 

What level of audience: 
Novice

More information about you (public): 
Stephen has been a Python programmer since 2000. He trained as a mathematician and electrical engineer, with a PhD in signal processing for radar target detection. After a period as a management consultant, he worked for credit card companies in Australia and The Netherlands, running areas like marketing, risk, operations and strategy. Six years ago, he moved back into technology and joined JPMorgan in London, where his team uses Python to build trading, risk management and analytics systems.

More information about you (private): 
I presented the tutorial "Pandas from the Inside" at PyData London on 6 May 2016. I have also submitted a separate proposal on motion sensors data fusion for the main PyCon UK conference.

_______________________________________________ Microbit mailing list Microbit at python.org <mailto:Microbit at python.org>  https://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/microbit

---
This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.
https://www.avast.com/antivirus
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://mail.python.org/pipermail/microbit/attachments/20160711/b8c430ab/attachment-0001.html>