The game allows kids aged 8 or older to challenge a friend, neighbor, family member, or themselves. Players can complete fun challenge tasks from a variety of categories including:

• English Language Arts
• Art and music
• Social Studies
• Science
• Math
• Coding

These tasks are designed to reach and engage every learner, from aspiring coders to reluctant comic artists. Keep learning going this summer with our free Leaps and Logs game! Download Leaps and Logs to get started with summer learning activities from Microsoft Education.

Play digitally or on paper

The learning activities in Leaps and Logs can be completed by students of most ages (age 8 or older recommended). Players may aim to complete one or two rounds of play a day, continuing their game play until the start of the new school year.

Leaps and Logs is versatile and can be played digitally or on paper. Full game directions and a game board can be found by downloading Leaps and Logs.

• Playing digitally involves downloading the game board and task lists then uploading them into Microsoft Whiteboard.
• Playing on paper involves downloading and printing the game board. The challenge tasks can also be printed, but students will need a digital version to access the embedded links.

Also, check out some tips for sharing the game with students in our blog post Leap into summer learning with a game from Microsoft.

Join the fun and continue learning

To help you get started, we’re highlighting a few of the fun learning activities in the Leaps and Logs game. Explore ways kids can have a blast while letting their creativity shine as they learn and grow!

Create a comic book in 5 easy steps

Try your hand at creating your own manga-style comic book. Dazzle your friends and family with thousands of graphics and animations that make your comic come alive!

1. Create a short outline of your story or brainstorm a storyline with Microsoft Copilot.¹
2. Open the Microsoft PowerPoint comic template.
3. Go to New Slide and select a comic layout.
4. Customize your frames with colors, characters, and text.
5. Share your story!

Build your own instrument and hold a concert

Express your musical creativity by building a musical instrument using items you have at home. Then set the stage and entertain everyone with your DIY creation!

1. Ask Copilot¹ for steps to build your favorite instrument or get inspiration from homemade musical instruments other people have made.
2. Gather the supplies and items you’ll need to make the instrument.
3. Follow the steps to build your instrument.
4. Test your instrument by playing a song.
5. Hold a concert or recital!

Create a plan to improve your community

Enhance your neighborhood by making plans to improve your community. Learn how to create an action plan with the Neighborhood Good game from iCivics.

1. Visit https://www.icivics.org/games/neighborhood-good
2. Select “New Game.”
3. Pick an issue that resonates with you and your community.
4. Make a plan of action by playing the game and then choosing the Who, What, and How details.
5. Share your plan with people in your community!

Recreate a famous landmark in Minecraft Education

Explore the world by researching famous landmarks. Use Seach Coach in Microsoft Teams for Education learn about a landmark and build a digital version of it in Minecraft Education.

1. Choose a famous landmark you want to learn more about.
2. With your school account, use Search Coach in Microsoft Teams for Education to research the landmark.
3. Plan your replica from at least two different angles on paper.
4. Explore and build the landmark with the Replicating Landmarks world from Minecraft Education.
5. Share what you learned by building it with your friends and family!

Continue learning all summer long with these fun and engaging activities. Curious about the other challenge tasks included in Leaps and Logs? Explore the game to see how students can build AI-powered inventions in Minecraft Hour of Code: Generation AI, personalize their own story using Reading Coach online, or organize a trip within a specific budget using Microsoft Copilot.¹ There are a variety of tasks to choose from that will encourage students to be creative and think critically.

Keep kids entertained this summer and help them prepare for a new school year with our free Leaps and Logs game! Download Leaps and Logs to get started with summer learning activities from Microsoft Education.

¹ Students under 18 years of age will not have access to Microsoft Copilot and will need adult supervision to access these activities.

The post Extend summer learning with a free game from Microsoft appeared first on Microsoft Education Blog.

We’ll highlight some of the recent product updates and capabilities to help you boost student engagement, improve your instruction, and simplify your tasks. We’ll also share professional development opportunities to help you develop and enhance your skills. Let’s dive in and see what’s new in Microsoft Education.

Simplify your workflow with new tools, features, and capabilities

1. Get free access to Khanmigo for Teachers for US educators

We recently announced a new partnership with Khan Academy to help turn the promise of AI in education into reality and increase access to innovation. As part of the partnership, Microsoft is enabling Khan Academy to provide free access to Khanmigo for Teachers to all US educators, we’re collaborating to explore opportunities to improve AI-powered math tutoring with a new open-source small language model, and bringing high-quality education experiences to more learners.

Read about our collaboration with Khan Academy and learn how US educators can get started with Khanmigo for Teachers for free. You can also save or print this quick guide to Khanmigo for Teachers to refer back to as needed.

2. Discover new Minecraft Education, Reflect, and MakeCode experiences inspired by Disney and Pixar’s Inside Out 2

Engage your class with new experiences from Microsoft Education inspired by Disney and Pixar’s Inside Out 2. Create an open and accepting classroom with these new activities from Minecraft Education, Reflect, and MakeCode.

• Dive into a world where emotions come to life and find what brings you joy in a new Minecraft Education build challenge inspired by the movie, complete with a lesson plan and a custom world.
• Explore new brain breaks in Reflect that include stories, games, and coloring pages featuring characters from the movie.
• Celebrate the release with a new Bubble Popping arcade tutorial from MakeCode that features art and characters from the movie.

3. Teach computing skills with Visual Studio Code for Education

Consistent with Microsoft’s commitment to preparing students for the future, we announced the release of our latest product to empower the next generation of developers—Visual Studio Code for Education, a free online computer science education platform. Visual Studio Code for Education is designed for students and educators and provides integrated curriculum and a sandbox coding environment for everyone, with zero setup.

Get started with Visual Studio Code for Education and see how it can be a valuable resource in your classroom!

4. Practice summer reading with Reading Coach

School may be out for summer in many places across the northern hemisphere, but learning doesn’t have to stop! Have your students practice their reading and personalize their own stories using Reading Coach online during the summer break. Reading Coach provides personalized, engaging, and independent reading fluency practice by allowing learners to create unique AI-generated stories by choosing characters and settings from a curated collection of options.

One of the newest features, “Unlock characters and settings,” empowers learners to get a new character or story setting for every 20 minutes of reading. Learners can even trade characters and story settings from a whole new collection. Get started with Reading Coach online for school or home use and scroll further to learn about the new Reading Coach training course for educators on Microsoft Learn.

5. Leap into summer learning with a free game from Microsoft

Help your student stay sharp over the summer break with our free game for students, Leaps and Logs. In this summer learning game, players take on challenges across various subjects including English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Coding, and Arts/Music. The free summer learning activities in Leaps and Logs can be completed by students of most ages (age 8 or older recommended) and players can engage with Leaps and Logs in two different ways: digitally or on paper (with access to a device for embedded task links).

Visit Leap into summer learning with a game from Microsoft for full game directions and the Leaps and Logs game board.

6. Check out the new AI enhancements in Microsoft Teams for Education

New features in Microsoft Teams for Education, a powerful communication app for schools, leverage AI to help you draft content like rubrics and assignment instructions, all while keeping the educator in control.   

• Using generative AI to create rubrics in Assignments: With generative AI integrated into Assignments, enter what you want the rubric to assess, and Assignments will suggest criteria and complete the rubric for you.
• Using generative AI to create instructions in Assignments: Get multiple suggestions for how to enrich the content, such as adding more details, adding learning objectives, emphasizing key concepts, and even making your assignments more interesting. After the content is created, you can make further edits and updates as you go.

Visit What’s New in Microsoft EDU | May 2024 to learn about all the new updates in Microsoft Teams for Education.

7. Explore the new wild wisdom activities collection in Microsoft Reflect

We’re excited to introduce the wild wisdom activities collection in Reflect, featuring stories and coloring pages centered around nature. Reflect is a Learning Accelerator that helps students build important social, emotional, and academic skills by offering quick check-ins, intentional brain breaks, mindfulness activities, and actionable data. Each story in the wild wisdom collection is paired with a corresponding coloring page and highlights the fascinating behaviors of various animals—from dolphin friendships to elephant empathy, and penguin teamwork.

Explore the engaging stories and coloring pages in the new wild wisdom activities collection in Reflect.

8. Enrich teaching and learning experiences with Microsoft Forms updates

Microsoft Forms helps educators assess student progress and create engaging, interactive learning experiences for their students. Check out these updates in Microsoft Forms to easily access your responses and insert a form into a Stream video.

• Form or quiz data sync to Excel: You can now access all your responses in Excel for the web. New responses will sync automatically in real-time, while also leveraging Excel’s robust functions to analyze and evaluate your class’s performance.
• Embed Forms and callouts into Stream videos: You can now insert a form or quiz directly into a Stream video. As the video plays to a specific moment, the form or quiz will appear to the students. Once they’ve completed the form or quiz, they can continue watching the video, providing you with a new way to enhance engagement and assess comprehension in real-time.

Read What’s New in Microsoft EDU | May 2024 to learn about all the latest updates in Microsoft Forms.

9. Adding Universal Print value for educational organizations

Many schools have told us that they need simpler printing solutions and more predictable costs to manage their budgets effectively. To help educational organizations meet their printing needs, we recently announced licensing changes that will address both these issues. Organizations with Microsoft 365 A3 and Microsoft 365 A5 licenses¹ now receive 100 print jobs per license per month. This means that most organizations can use Universal Print with no extra cost if they have eligible licenses.

Read the article Adding Universal Print value for educational organizations to learn more about Universal Print and the new increased print volume.

Stay ahead with professional development opportunities and events

10. Take the new Reading Coach course on Microsoft Learn

Learn how to use Reading Coach, a free tool that uses AI and built-in fluency detection to personalize reading content and practice for learners, with a new training module on Microsoft Learn. The new course will help you understand how to access Reading Coach and use the tool in your classroom. It’ll also help you learn how to describe the core reading functionality of the tool, and how to best use the different reading modes to support your students’ reading fluency.

Take the new Build reading fluency with Reading Coach training module on Microsoft Learn and learn how to get started with Reading Coach.

11. Recharge and explore with summer learning for educators

Many educators in the northern hemisphere are getting ready to take a well-deserved break for the summer. We know that many of you embrace this opportunity to explore new things, so we’ve curated a list of exciting learning experiences to inspire you this summer. These free, flexible professional development resources for teachers allow you to move at your own pace and can be accessed anytime, anywhere.

Visit Recharge and explore with summer learning for educators to tap into our collection of free professional development resources for teachers.

Tap into new possibilities for innovation in education

12. Become an MIE Expert, Showcase School, or Incubator School for 2024-2025

The future is here, and it’s time to step into the spotlight as a beacon of educational innovation. The Microsoft Innovative Educator (MIE) Expert nominations for the 2024-2025 academic year are open until June 17, 2024, and Showcase School nominations are opening soon. This is your opportunity to shine! Being part of these programs means actively participating in a global movement that redefines education through technology.

Check out the article Become an MIE Expert, Showcase School, or Incubator School for 2024-2025 to learn how to nominate yourself and your school.

Whether you want to discover new ways to engage your students, expand your learning, or tap into possibilities for innovation at your school, Microsoft Education has new features and experiences for you to explore. Happy teaching!

¹ Users with Student Use Benefit licenses can print with Universal Print, but these licenses do not contribute print jobs to the pool. See Product Terms for details about Student Use Benefits and Academic Programs.

The post Discover 12 new ways to enhance your teaching with Microsoft Education appeared first on Microsoft Education Blog.

In this summer learning game, players take on challenges across various subjects including English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Coding, and Arts/Music. After completing each activity, players share their newfound knowledge or creations with fellow players or family members, ensuring that learning goes beyond just ticking off boxes on a list.

The free summer learning activities in Leaps and Logs can be completed by students of most ages (age 8 or older recommended). Whether students try to build AI-powered inventions in Minecraft Hour of Code: Generation AI, personalize their own story using Reading Coach online, or organize a trip within a specific budget using Microsoft Copilot, there are a variety of tasks to choose from that will encourage students to be creative and think critically. Players may aim to complete one or two rounds of play a day, extending their game play throughout the summer.

Two ways to play Leaps and Logs

Students can engage with Leaps and Logs in two different ways: digitally or on paper (with access to a device for embedded task links). Full game directions and a game board can be found by downloading Leaps and Logs.

The free summer learning activities in the Leaps and Logs game encourage students to be creative and think critically.

Playing digitally

• Download the game board and task lists and upload them as a document into Microsoft Whiteboard. To upload, select “New Whiteboard” then select “Document” from the lower panel. Find the Leaps and Logs Game file that was downloaded, then select the gameboard page.
• Change the title of the whiteboard by selecting the dropdown arrow next to “Whiteboard” and typing in the text box. When renaming is complete, select the checkmark in the text box to save your new title.
• In the whiteboard, select shapes or upload images from the side panel to use as moveable game pieces.
• Roll one die using this digital dice roller. Be sure to unselect Dice 2 and Dice 3 to roll just one die.

Upload the Leaps and Logs gameboard to Microsoft Whiteboard and use shapes or images as game pieces.

Playing on paper

• Download and print the game board. The challenge tasks can also be printed, but students will need a digital version to access the embedded links.
• Assign players game pieces or small objects to move around the printed gameboard.
• Use one six-sided die (or this digital dice roller) to determine the number of spaces to move.
• Ensure that the gameboard and pieces are kept in a safe place where they won’t be moved or use a pencil to mark where each player ended their turn.

How to share with students

Whether your classroom is still buzzing with activity or students have already left for the school year, here are some ways you can share the Leaps and Logs summer learning game with students and families.

• Share the link to this blog post with families at end of the year events.
• Post information about the game on a classroom website, school social media page, or Microsoft Teams for Education announcement.
• Provide students with a printed copy of the game and instructions on how to access Leaps and Logs.
• Add the link to this blog post to your classroom or school newsletter.
• Help students begin game play as individuals, in pairs, or small groups to start their journey.

Keep learning going and kids entertained this summer with our free Leaps and Logs game! Download Leaps and Logs to get started with summer learning activities from Microsoft Education.

The post Leap into summer learning with a game from Microsoft appeared first on Microsoft Education Blog.

With at least 9 out of 10 jobs requiring digital skills and demand continuing to grow, education institutions worldwide are integrating computer science into curricular requirements. At Microsoft, we want all learners to be confident in their digital skills and have opportunities to develop the skills needed for their future careers. Learners who have access to computer science in school tend to perform better in reading and math and develop skills sought by employers like analytical thinking and problem solving. 

With a wide array of opportunities from Minecraft Education, Microsoft MakeCode, and Flip, we’re thrilled to provide educators and students with engaging and easy to access resources during Computer Science Education Week (CSEdWeek) and throughout the year. From professional learning experiences to game-based computer science activities, learners will be able to explore new skills to become safer, smarter, and more confident online, opening potential career opportunities and raising awareness of responsible technology use. 

Start your planning with the CSEdWeek Resource Guide

The Microsoft Philanthropies Technology Education and Learning Support (TEALS) Program’s 2023 CSEdWeek Resource Guide is carefully curated to help you plan an inspirational week for your students. The guide includes events, Hour of Code activities, and more from Microsoft and our computer science education partners. Check out this useful resource and sign up to get the guide! 

Plan an inspirational week for your students with the 2023 CSEdWeek Resource Guide from the Microsoft Philanthropies Technology Education and Learning Support (TEALS) Program.

Do the new Minecraft Hour of Code with your students

All students deserve opportunities to explore AI technology to understand its implications, access career pathways, and be empowered to safely, confidently navigate an AI-powered world. Designed for anyone ages 7 and up, Minecraft Hour of Code: Generation AI is a fun, accessible way to explore the fundamentals of coding and responsible AI. Register to join a free Hour of Code Play Along on December 6, 2023, and let your learners engage in the Hour of Code lesson alongside a guest presenter and other classrooms tuned in around the world.   

Minecraft’s Hour of Code inspires learners to learn coding basics and essential principles of computer science, all while encouraging thoughtful discussions around responsible coding and AI development. Get involved with CSEdWeek and do the new Minecraft Hour of Code!  

Explore cybersecurity with Minecraft Education’s full curriculum

Boost learners’ awareness of cybersecurity, online safety, and digital citizenship with Minecraft Education’s full cybersecurity curriculum progression. Resources include information about cyber career pathways, lessons aligned to Cyber.org and CSTA standards, and family engagement strategies. Minecraft Education helps learners ages 7 to 18 build the knowledge and skills they need to protect themselves and their data in our growing digital world by allowing them to practice in a fun and immersive experience. 

The Cyber Skills Curriculum not only familiarizes students with digital citizenship and cyber ethics through critical thinking learning experiences but also covers essential cybersecurity topics such as digital footprints, phishing, password protection, and comprehension of encryption, malware, and ransomware. Learn more about teaching cybersecurity concepts with Minecraft Education in this self-paced Microsoft Learn module. 

Minecraft Education empowers educators to bring coding into any classroom and demystify critical topics like cybersecurity and AI. Educators have access to extensive computer science education resources, with opportunities for differentiated and student-centered instruction, inclusive standards-aligned content, and professional learning. 

Build coding skills at all levels with Microsoft MakeCode and Visual Studio Code for Education 

Microsoft MakeCode Arcade 

Microsoft MakeCode is a free online platform that brings computer science to life for all students with fun projects, immediate results, and both block and text editors for learners at different levels. MakeCode Arcade empowers students to create their very own Arcade games online! Try out the new Sparks Flying Skillmap or the Sparks Flying Junior tutorial to build a simple and fun clicker-style game. Check out the educator resources for the Sparks experiences and create games with your students this CSEdWeek! 

Try the new Sparks Flying Junior tutorial from MakeCode and create a fun clicker-style game with your students. 

Visual Studio Code for Education

Visual Studio Code for Education is a free online version of one of the most popular professional code editors in the world, optimized for learners. This year for CSEdWeek, challenge your students to explore Spooky Manor and code their own Python text-based adventure game! Learn more about Visual Studio Code for Education and bring the world’s leading code editor into your classroom. 

Challenge your students to explore Spooky Manor and code their own Python text-based adventure game.

Discover careers in coding with Flip

Minecraft Education and Flip are also joining forces for an engaging opportunity that focuses on careers in coding in honor of CSEdWeek. The Careers in Coding event, happening December 7, features robotics technologist Kamak Ebadi from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab. His story promises to ignite the STEM dreams of every student and aspiring space enthusiast. During the event, he’ll discuss the power of coding in shaping future careers and share about NASA’s Artemis missions. 

Take part in the experience and register for the free Careers in Coding event. You can even submit your video questions in the Careers in Coding with NASA & Minecraft Flip Group for a chance to be featured in the event! 

Check out the Careers in Coding Flip event with NASA and Minecraft experts, happening December 7, 2023.

To extend student learning after the event, learners can code their way to the moon with Minecraft Artemis: Return to the Moon, developed in collaboration with NASA. 

Continue computer science learning long after CS Education Week

There’s plenty of learning to be had with so many Microsoft, Minecraft Education, MakeCode, and Flip opportunities to choose from before, during, and after CSEdWeek. Ready to explore even more complex topics like AI? Check out these resources to learn more. 

• AI for education: Resources and learning opportunities: Build your professional learning around AI with training and resources from the Microsoft Learn Educator Center. 
• Microsoft Ignite: Bringing the innovations of the cloud to your CTE classroom: Discover how you can leverage the latest Microsoft cloud services and AI tools in your Career and Technical Education (CTE) classroom. 
• Announcing Microsoft Copilot (formerly Bing Chat Enterprise) for faculty: Learn how you can use Microsoft Copilot to explore the potential of AI in your educational space with commercial data protection. 

Microsoft aims to inspire students to engage in computer science with opportunities to learn, make, and do. From our professional learning experiences to game-based activities, learners can discover new skills to help access career opportunities and thrive in computer science—during Computer Science Education Week and throughout the year. 

The post Gearing up for Computer Science Education Week appeared first on Microsoft Education Blog.

National STEM Day: Time to inNOV8

In our constantly evolving world, educators have a unique opportunity to instill a passion for problem-solving, innovation, and creativity in their students. This is where STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) comes into play. STEM is not just about formulas and equations; it’s about igniting a lifelong love of learning and shaping the future.  

Students working together on a STEM project in a school classroom. STEM education can impart critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity skills.

November 8th marks National STEM Day, an annual celebration dedicated to promoting STEM education and careers among our youth. Its origin lies in the desire to emphasize the significance of these fields and inspire students to venture into STEM-related career paths. STEM education imparts critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity—essential skills in our tech-driven world. 

For K-12 educators, National STEM Day presents several significant benefits: 

• Inspiration: National STEM Day offers a platform to showcase the real-world applications of STEM concepts, from problem-solving to design thinking and teamwork, inspiring students to pursue these paths. 
• Engagement: Engaging in STEM activities can captivate students’ interest and encourage them to explore these subjects further. Providing opportunities for relevant, empathy-driven, and genuine connections will help your students go beyond and increase their buy-in and excitement. 
• Career exploration: National STEM Day opens doors to career opportunities students might not have considered, such as ethical hackers, LEGO® designers, app developers, or aerospace engineers. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 10.8% growth in STEM occupations from 2022 to 2032. 

Future ready isn’t a fad

According to the ACT 2023 Class of 2023 report, only 15% of high school graduates are ready to take college-level STEM coursework. Research shows that early exposure to STEM subjects lays the foundation for students to explore STEM careers. In fact, the University of Nevada, Las Vegas found that early science exposure not only enhances STEM skills but also boosts performance in reading, math, and critical thinking. 

Sustaining STEM exposure throughout elementary school further fuels students’ curiosity about STEM careers. As Marian Wright Edelman, civil rights activist and founder of the Children’s Defense Fund, wisely said, “You can’t be what you can’t see.” Multiple studies confirm that early exposure increases the likelihood of students pursuing STEM majors in college. By nurturing a love for STEM at every educational stage, we pave the way for a brighter future full of endless possibilities. 

Engaging hands-on activities to celebrate National STEM Day

Minecraft Education

Minecraft Education opens doors to game-based learning across various subjects. Dive into these Minecraft STEM lessons to spark your students’ excitement for National STEM Day! 

• In M.A.T.H. Mummy Mayhem your students in grades 3 through 5 can explore key concepts in geometry, such as shape, symmetry, and spatial reasoning while they traverse the tricky tomb and unlock the secrets. Supporting materials provide jumping-off points and further ideas to help make the most of the game in your classroom. 
• Cyber & Digital Safety lessons empower your students to be safe online with lessons in cybersecurity, online safety, and digital citizenship aligned to Cyber.org and CSTA standards. These STEM lessons are suitable for students in grades 3 through 12, ensuring that learners of various ages can benefit from this comprehensive curriculum.  
• Minecraft Education Computer Science Webinar for Leaders and Educators: You’re invited to join a special webinar ahead of Computer Science Education Week on November 16, which focuses on Computer Science curriculum integration best practices across grade levels, including Hour of Code. Hear from Dr. Lisa Milenkovic from Broward County on how they integrated computational thinking and expanded career opportunities in the AI-powered future for students district-wide. Register for the webinar now. 
• Minecraft Artemis Missions will engage students in space science, spark interest in STEM, and help develop a lifelong love of learning. Learners will explore Newton’s Laws to design and launch a rocket, use code to navigate the Orion space capsule, and work as a team to build a survival base on the moon—meeting scientists along the way.  

Microsoft MakeCode  

Microsoft MakeCode brings computer science to life for all students with fun projects, immediate results, and both block and text editors for learners at different levels. Try some of these free MakeCode lessons and activities with your students this National STEM Day! 

• MakeCode for Minecraft: The newest version of MakeCode in Minecraft Education has just been released with a ton of new features—including new blocks and mobs like Frogs and Tadpoles, new extensions including a Solar System simulation, and version control to help students preserve their progress.  
• MakeCode micro:bit Science Experiments: Explore these engaging Science Experiments lessons featuring micro:bits in your classroom. These beloved classics, like the Egg drop experiment and Spoon race, are adored by students and can be modified to meet a diverse range of learners from upper elementary to high school level students. Through the lens of observation, measurement, and data analysis, students embark on hands-on, practical measurement activities while mastering the art of using the micro:bit to control and record data for their experiments.  
• MakeCode Arcade: Making your own video games is easy with MakeCode Arcade, and all you need is a browser. These captivating activities are suitable for students in grades 3 through 12 and teach block coding skills and progress gradually to text-based programming with JavaScript and Python on the same platform. Save the Forest is a challenge where users create a game that simulates the conditions for a forest fire, and then code their fire-fighting air tanker plane to spray water and put out the flames. Code a Carnival guides students through making carnival games like Whack-the-Mole and Burstin’ Balloons. Have your students try out some of these fun coding activities to build games and play with others!

Code fun multiplayer carnival games in less than an hour with Code a Carnival from MakeCode.

Additional STEM Day activities from Microsoft

Explore these fun STEM activities for all ages to engage your students in hands-on learning experiences that spark curiosity and foster a deep appreciation for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. 

• Leaps and Logs offers an array of captivating STEM activities, tailor-made for students aged 8 and older. Whether they’re up for a friendly challenge with a friend, or family member, or simply wish to test their skills against themselves, the tasks in this free and engaging game cover a wide range of STEM categories. 
• Flip and NASA have teamed up to offer a lot of exciting activities that support STEM learning in early elementary through high school. Inspire your students to explore space, improve aeronautics, and examine Earth with this collection of resources. 
• Microsoft Hacking STEM is a collection of affordable inquiry and project-based activities, designed to help students in elementary to high school visualize data across the STEM curriculum.  

Empowering all STEM students

Every student brings a unique set of strengths and challenges to the classroom, and Microsoft Education acknowledges this diversity and provides a suite of inclusive tools that level the playing field for STEM students with varying needs.  

Math Assistant in OneNote offers various tools to help students understand problems, including equation reading and step-by-step explanations.

• Math Assistant: For many students, understanding and solving math problems can be a daunting task. Math Assistant steps in as a supportive companion in STEM education. It breaks down math problems step by step, providing clarity and guidance throughout the problem-solving process. Whether it’s algebra, calculus, or statistics, Math Assistant simplifies complex equations, making math more accessible and less intimidating. 
• Math Solver: When students encounter challenging math problems, they no longer need to feel stuck. Microsoft Math Solver is their go-to tool for tackling complex equations that STEM students may face. It provides step-by-step solutions and explanations for a wide range of math problems. From algebra and calculus to geometry and trigonometry, this tool offers clarity and guidance, helping STEM students overcome mathematical hurdles with ease.  
• Immersive Reader: Reading math equations can be challenging, especially for students with dyscalculia or dyslexia. Immersive Reader for Math is the game-changer here. This tool goes beyond reading traditional text; it reads math equations aloud, ensuring that all STEM students have access to the content. It’s a critical support system that bridges the gap for students who may otherwise face barriers in math comprehension. 

These free STEM education tools are transformative. They empower students of all abilities to improve their comprehension of written math problems and foster independent learning. With digital Learning Tools from Microsoft Education, students can work at their own pace, ensuring that no one gets left behind in the fascinating world of STEM. 

Build your skills and confidence before National STEM Day

Discover various opportunities for educators like you to dive deeper into STEM: 

• MakeCode Teach: Here you can find a welcoming community forum and challenges for your students that build creativity, computational thinking, and collaboration skills. 
• Minecraft Education: Teacher Academy: This self-paced learning path shows you how to use Minecraft Education as a teaching and learning tool to support strong pedagogical practices. 
• STEM, coding, and esports on Microsoft Learn: This learning pathway has everything you need to get started with STEM, coding, and esports. It’ll help you spark student curiosity by connecting in-class activities to the real world. 
• Want more? Check out this blog from Microsoft Education for more Exciting STEM-focused professional learning opportunities!  

Ready to make National STEM Day an unforgettable experience for your students? Take the first step in igniting their passion for science, technology, engineering, and math. Explore these incredible resources and tools available in Microsoft Education, and embark on a journey of inspiration, exploration, and innovation. Happy National STEM Day!

The post Empowering tomorrow’s innovators: An educator’s guide to National STEM Day appeared first on Microsoft Education Blog.

The Microsoft Learn Educator Center provides free, self-paced opportunities that offer entry points for educators wanting to embrace STEM activities regardless of their previous experience.

Build skills and confidence with the Microsoft Learn Educator Center

The Microsoft Learn Educator Center training resources offer great support to educators wanting to learn more about integrating STEM into teaching and learning. Opportunities include engaging with interactive lessons, earning professional development hours, and validating your learning with one of many available industry certifications. In Learn, educators can choose from Modules and Learning Paths to personalize their learning experience.

Modules allow educators to explore a specific task or topic of their choice. Designed to stand alone, these easy entry points to learning consist of units that provide a broad view to quickly understand the purpose and benefits of that topic or task. Modules often include videos, tasks, reflection, and resources. 

Educators looking for a more in-depth, guided exploration of a topic can choose from a variety of Learning Paths. Learning Paths are a collection of Modules that provide a deep dive into what you need to understand a concept and actively start using the tools.

MakeCode: Coding + video games = lots of fun  

For educators looking to get started incorporating computer science into their curriculum, Microsoft MakeCode is a great educational platform to teach students basic coding concepts. Read more about how you can encourage students to develop an interest in computer science with MakeCode. The following MakeCode Learn Modules and Pathways are a great way to get started exploring engaging STEM tools and resources for classroom teaching and learning: 

Utilize MakeCode Arcade in the classroom

Games are an excellent way to integrate STEM learning, specifically computer science, into the classroom. MakeCode makes it easy to engage students in creative activities that introduce them to computer science concepts and develop their coding skills.

• What to expect: This module identifies the benefits of coding and computer science in the classroom. Learn how to navigate the easy-to-use MakeCode Arcade interface and plan lessons using MakeCode Arcade skillmaps and resources.
• Module length: 42 mins; 6 modules
• Tool focus: MakeCode

Engage learners through games with MakeCode Arcade

Are your students’ gamers? Even if you know nothing about video game design, MakeCode is an easy way to support a progression path into real-world programming through game-based learning.

• What to expect: This Module identifies the benefits of using games in education, describes the functionality of MakeCode Arcade, and explores skillmaps that educators can use to guide student learning. Learn the benefits of game-based learning and how games are used in MakeCode Arcade to help students develop computer science skills.
• Module length: 1 hour; 8 units
• Tool focus: MakeCode

Support student learning with MakeCode Arcade

Computer science concepts and skills can support student learning both in coding and non-coding classes. As students engage in coding with MakeCode, they learn to use critical and creative thinking, develop problem solving skills, and work collaboratively.

• What to expect: This module outlines how to use MakeCode Arcade to teach computer science concepts and skills. Explore how to integrate skillmaps into core-content areas to support students’ learning.
• Module length: 35 min; 8 units
• Tool focus: MakeCode

Minecraft: Education Edition: Take STEM and computer science learning to the next level

Minecraft: Education Edition is a game-based learning platform that supports creative, inclusive learning through play. Engage students with fun, standards aligned content that supports a variety of subjects, including STEM and Computer Science. You can sign up for free virtual trainings on the Minecraft: Education Edition website including cohorts on teaching coding and esports with Minecraft. In addition, you can find these Minecraft modules on the Microsoft Learn Educator Center:

Intro coding in Minecraft: Education Edition

Block coding is an easy entry point for anyone new to coding, and students love to see their code come to life in Minecraft the world. It uses easy-to-understand blocks that look like puzzle pieces and snap together to build code. Block coding can effectively teach computer science concepts such as algorithms, variables, conditional logic, and code comprehension.

• What to expect: This module introduces educators to teaching block coding using MakeCode in Minecraft: Education Edition. Explore the basics using the in-game coding feature called Code Builder, a sure way to engage your students in learning computational thinking.
• Module length: 59 min; 11 units
• Tool focus: Minecraft Education Edition, MakeCode

Minecraft Teacher Academy

This new Learning Path offers 3 one-hour Modules that will help any educator learn how to teach with Minecraft: Education Edition. By the end of the first hour (Minecraft 101) you’ll be ready to teach a lesson!

• What to expect: The Modules have three levels intended for beginner, intermediate, and advanced users. After completing this Learning Path, educators become a Minecraft Certified Teacher and receive the badge as well as an invitation to join the Minecraft Certified Teacher community.
• Learning path length: 3.5 hours; 3 Modules
• Tool focus: Minecraft Education Edition

Microsoft Esports Teacher Academy (META)

New to esports? Microsoft Esports Teacher Academy (META) teaches the role of esports in education and career pathways, how to integrate esports in educational settings, and how to build a thriving esports program.

• What to expect: This Learning Path features 4 modules that offer an immersive exploration of Minecraft: Education Edition. In addition, it prepares educators to develop their own esports program and create a tournament.
• Learning path length: 3 hours; 4 Modules
• Tool Focus: Minecraft Education Edition
• META Instructor Led Training – sign up for our upcoming virtual cohort— starting January 23, 2023 – 4 weeks of one-hour instructor led sessions where you can earn your Certified Esports Leaders badge as a group.

Unlock and develop STEM interest in all learners

In addition to MakeCode and Minecraft, you can find other great resources on the Microsoft Learn Educator Center designed to help create diverse and inclusive STEM learning environments for all students:

Close the STEM gap by engaging girls

Women are underrepresented and often overlooked when it comes to STEM opportunities. Educators who are interested in creating excitement and inspiring young women to pursue STEM will love this module.

• What to expect: This Module introduces educators to research and resources that support STEM education for girls. Learn to create conditions for STEM learning and context for applications to authentically engage women.
• Module length: 39 mins; 10 units
• Tool focus: Microsoft Teams, MakeCode, Minecraft Education Edition

Kickstart your professional development using the Microsoft Learn Educator Center to access STEM topics and more!

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What is MakeCode Arcade?

MakeCode Arcade is a free, online platform for building retro-style video games using block or text-based programming. Using blocks that snap together as a developmentally appropriate alternative to text-based programming languages, students at any skill level can create projects and share a multi-player interactive product in minutes.  

While Arcade was designed for elementary and middle school students to develop hands-on fundamental coding skills, MakeCode Arcade offers an AP Computer Science Principles curriculum. This College Board endorsed and approved curriculum aligned for high school students features game-based learning to increase student engagement and experimentation.

Leveling Up in Your Classroom

With less than 30% of teachers in elementary and middle school having a degree in a computer or technical services, we recognize that there are multiple pathways to teaching computer science¹. In addition to supporting student learning, MakeCode promotes teacher learning pathways with free professional development opportunities, customizable lessons, and access to tailor-made resources that do not require pre-existing coding knowledge or expertise.

Whether you are new to computer science, interested in bridging CS across the curriculum, or exploring the art of the possible with block-based programming, we encourage educators to familiarize themselves with MakeCode resources:

1. Connect with our free MakeCode professional learning and self-guided resources on Microsoft Learn. Pro Tip: We recommend starting with “Engaging learners through games with MakeCode Arcade” as a great starting place.
2. Explore the skillmaps, tutorials, and live coding sections of MakeCode Arcade.
3. Check out our standards-aligned Introduction to Computer Science curriculum.
4. Visit and bookmark our dedicated teacher resource page on the MakeCode homepage.
5. Share your insights and partner with a teacher in another school subject.

Connecting Arcade to Your Classroom

After reviewing some of MakeCode’s educator resources and tools, consider how you will use Arcade and block-based coding with your students:

• What are the natural connections to your classroom with MakeCode Arcade? Coding naturally aligns with math concepts like coordinate grids, rotation, and variables as well as problem solving and the arts. Further, computer science is a cross-discipline subject; consider how you might partner with Language Arts, Social Studies and other content areas to embed computer science instruction across the curriculum. As a reminder, each skillmap includes a learning outcomes document outlining the specific objectives of the activity.
• What can you demonstrate with MakeCode Arcade? Show a project that you created to spark the students’ interest and demonstrate how to get started with MakeCode Arcade.
• What activity can students successfully complete on the first day? Whether you do this as a class or assign it as an individual activity, the Beginner Skillmap or any of our Hour of Code activities make great introductions for first-time coders.
• How can you elevate student work at the end of the first day? Students feel a sense of purpose when they’re able to share their final creations with a classroom or even an elbow-partner. Create a space to ensure that students can explain their projects to a friend. Also, when completing skillmaps, students are rewarded with a downloadable certificate and a digital badge upon reaching the trophy level.

Wakanda Forever and Hour of Code

We have two new engaging and entertaining experiences for Computer Science Education Week^© 2022, which are already available for use in your classroom.

Hour of Code: “Code a Carnival”

Celebrate this year’s CS Education Week with Code a Carnival by MakeCode Arcade. Students will be introduced to game design as they create traditional carnival activities like “Whack-the-Mole” and “Burstin’ Balloons.” Along with guided tutorials, Code a Carnival provides a free easy-to-use teacher resource guide. 

To really bring your carnival to life, students can create multiplayer versions of their games to play with their friends, while putting their skills to the test. Whatever their coding experience, every student (and teacher) can increase their programming knowledge and have fun, while coding their own carnival game!

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever  

Have any Black Panther fans in your classroom? Your school can learn coding fundamentals as they develop their own action-packed activity inspired by Marvel Studios’^© Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (in theaters beginning November 11).

Ready to take the first step? Kickstart your lesson along with an introduction by Letitia Wright, the actress who plays Wakanda’s lead technologist Shuri.

After your students learn about their challenge, introduce your students to the MakeCode Arcade Wakanda Forever tutorial. This activity has step-by-step instructions and a corresponding teacher lesson plan, making it perfect for any classroom regardless of their coding background.

For more Wakanda Forever inspired content and the opportunity for your class to win an Xbox, go to xbox.com/wakanda-forever.

Powering Up with MakeCode

Ready to take your lessons to the next level? You can also integrate MakeCode with popular tools like the Micro:bit and Minecraft Education Edition. MakeCode works with the affordable, pocket-sized computer called a micro:bit, students can create things like a soil moisture sensor or a DIY pedometer.

Does your school have a subscription to Minecraft Education Edition? If so, did you know that you can use MakeCode to automate events and mod Minecraft’s virtual world? Visit Microsoft Learn to get started with block coding in Minecraft Education Edition. 

Stay Connected

We encourage you to subscribe to our MakeCode Blog to learn more, engage with other teachers on our MakeCode forum, or visit the Microsoft Learn Educator Center to bolster your knowledge about STEM, coding, and computer science. Don’t forget to follow @MSMakeCode wherever you scroll for the most up-to-date MakeCode news.

¹ The Computer Science Teacher Landscape: Results of a Nationwide Teacher Survey | CSTA

The post Developing interest in computer science with Microsoft MakeCode appeared first on Microsoft Education Blog.

Let’s dig in!

Find back-to-school inspiration in one YouTube playlist

If you’re looking for back-to-school inspiration, we have the YouTube playlist for you. No matter how or where you’ll be teaching this year, these quick and informative videos can help you discover tips for making the most out of cutting-edge classroom tools including Microsoft Teams, Reading Progress, Immersive Reader, and more. 

Express yourself with an expanded GIPHY library

Personal expression is a powerful way to build classroom engagement, which is why we’re excited to announce a new set of GIPHYs rolling out just in time for back-to-school. These new GIFs are the work of several talented animators, motion designers, and other artists including French animator, Aurelia Durand; Melbourne-based motion designer Adrianne Walujo; American graphic designer, Jhenne Tyler; and Mexico-based digital illustrator, Valeria Alvarez. Starting Monday, August 30, the new GIFs will start appearing in Microsoft Education’s GIPHY Channel, discoverable by searching “Microsoft Education” when inserting a GIF in the Teams chat, Twitter, Instagram, or on Facebook.

Build your professional learning community (PLC) in Teams

Did you know you can create or join a PLC through Teams in a few simple steps? Whether you’re looking to do that or improve your existing PLC, Teams can help PLCs collaborate more effectively and efficiently. From swapping lesson plans to setting collective goals to staying organized while sharing and analyzing student work samples, learn more about how to get your PLC started in Teams today. 

Introduce computer science in your classroom with free Microsoft MakeCode curriculum

In partnership with the United States College Board organization, the recently announced Advanced Placement Computer Science Principles with Microsoft MakeCode curriculum is free and uses web-based technology and tools that can be accessed across platforms and devices. Learn how to bring computer science into your classroom here. 

Enroll in trainings to discover new ways of creating inclusive, student-centered classrooms

The Microsoft Educator Center (MEC) and Microsoft Store are offering dozens of free, on-demand workshops to help educators discover new way of creating personal, engaging, and socially-connected classrooms. From brushing up on Teams basics to sharing tips for fostering inclusive learning environments, these trainings offer technology, tools, and techniques to improve student learning outcomes this back-to-school season and beyond. 

These are just a few of the resources available to help you step into the school year with a toolkit of tailor-ready techniques that can help unlock every student’s learning potential. Stay in the loop with all the latest tools, trainings, and more, and sign up for Microsoft’s monthly educator newsletter today.

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In partnership with the United States College Board organization, whose mission is to expand access to higher education for every student, Microsoft is proud to announce a free new curriculum resource for high school educators who teach the College Board’s Advanced Placement Computer Science Principles course, known as AP CS Principles.

AP CS Principles is an introductory course designed to attract students of all backgrounds, experience levels, and interests. It covers a wide range of computing topics with a special focus on the impact of technology and computing on students’ lives. The course covers a full academic year and does not require any prerequisites (though Algebra I is recommended). An end-of-course exam may be taken to receive college credit.

Watch the above video to learn more about AP CS Principles. 

The AP CS Principles with Microsoft MakeCode curriculum is free and uses web-based technology and tools that can be accessed across platforms and devices. The curriculum is endorsed and approved by the College Board as aligning with the AP CS Principles curriculum framework and AP CS Principles exam.

Some additional features of the Microsoft MakeCode curriculum include:

• Game-based learning for increased student engagement using the MakeCode Arcade platform
• Visual block-based programming environment, with JavaScript and Python options for more advanced students
• Creativity and self-expression encouraged through the creation of custom game assets, characters, and storylines
• Easy ability to share games and projects with friends and family
• Focus on design thinking process for student projects
• Optional service learning module and physical computing lesson options with micro:bit
• Educator professional development available

The curriculum was written and tested in the classroom by Kelli Etheredge, an AP CS Principles teacher herself. It is designed for teachers new to computer science—concepts are explained in plain language, daily materials and talking points with all solutions included.

In addition, the curriculum was written to be culturally relevant to a wide variety of students with diverse backgrounds and experience levels. All computing terms are explained using language and analogies that students understand, most projects encourage student choice in the topic to ensure that the learning aligns to their interests, and no prior knowledge or computing experience is assumed in the course design and pacing.

And best of all, it’s free for anyone to use!

Learn more about the AP Computer Science Principles with Microsoft MakeCode curriculum with these resources:

• Microsoft Educator Center 1-hour online course
• Curriculum overview
• Online curriculum materials

The post Announcing AP Computer Science Principles with Microsoft MakeCode appeared first on Microsoft Education Blog.

In many countries, students perceive computer science as difficult and not relevant to their lives or career aspirations. This is particularly acute among young women and girls, with women representing only 19 percent of computer science graduates from bachelor’s programs in the US, according to the National Science Foundation.¹ This picture is similar around the world.

At the same time, job opportunities in computer science are growing, with the World Economic Forum estimating that 97 million new jobs will arise by 2025 in areas such as data science, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and the Internet of Things (IoT).²

Education systems are looking at ways to enhance computer science education throughout student learning pathways, from primary to upper-secondary. We hear from education leaders across the globe that they are keen to include cutting-edge topics like AI and data science in curriculum, but that constant change and innovation in technology makes it challenging to keep current.

In response, Microsoft is aiming to help bridge the gap by launching our new Microsoft Computer Science Curriculum Toolkit. The toolkit is a set of materials that can help education leaders rethink curriculum, by explaining the rationale for change and setting out key learning objectives and guiding materials for kindergarten through grade 12.

The curriculum objectives are based on a set of “big ideas” that students are encouraged to explore using problem-solving skills and that are aligned to the global challenges of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. We have taken this approach because research has shown that students are more motivated about computer science when we demonstrate how it can be harnessed to solve big-picture societal issues.³

In the toolkit, leaders can take advantage of:

• The “Reimagining computer science in the curriculum” white paper that outlines the key opportunities and challenges in computer science curriculum while also pointing to global approaches and best practices.
• Curriculum review and development resources including structure, rationale, curriculum objectives, and mapping for each grade level. These can be localized and adapted as needed.

For each step in the curriculum, we propose relevant materials, as well as pointers to leverage Microsoft’s computer science teaching and learning resources, such as Microsoft MakeCode, Minecraft: Education Edition computer science subject kit, and Microsoft Learn for Students.

We are excited to launch this set of resources and continue to contribute to improving computer science education for students across the world. These resources connect to the Teaching and Learning pillar within the Microsoft K-12 Education Transformation Framework, which supports education leaders in navigating holistic transformation strategy within their institutions.

Explore the computer science white paper, as well as the accompanying curriculum and structure.

^{1. Women, Minorities, and Persons with Disabilities in Science and Engineering: 2019 | NSF – National Science Foundation}

^{2. Tech-Driven Changes in Job Markets Threaten Social Contract with Workers > Press releases | World Economic Forum (weforum.org)}

^{3. Why Europes’ girls aren’t studying STEM | Microsoft Research}

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At Microsoft, our goal is to help people throughout the entire education and learning continuum—from education through one’s professional career—to fully participate in the digital economy. Part of this is about preparing the next generation for the jobs of tomorrow. Our unique responsibility and opportunity is to ensure everyone has access to the promise and potential of technology for the digital economy. This contributes to our mission to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. We believe that those who create with technology are those who write history and shape our future; everyone should have access to learning these skills.

Our ambition is to empower all students to confidently create with technology. Our products like Minecraft: Education Edition, MakeCode, and Visual Studio Code bring this to life by providing a canvas for creating with technology. We offer a range of options for learners of all ages to learn coding.

To prepare the next generation for the jobs of tomorrow while inspiring their creativity, we have partnered with Wonder Woman 1984, Smithsonian Learning Labs, and NASA to create distinct portfolios of project-based lessons that teach programming. We wanted to cultivate learning by connecting content to something interesting, relevant, and most importantly, inspiring for learners of all ages—whether they are 8, 18, or 80.

Included in these collections are:

Five Wonder Woman 1984 and Smithsonian Learning Lab lessons

• Museum Heist
  Learn to code with Minecraft: Education Edition in this adventure based on the upcoming movie Wonder Woman 1984. Venture through an in-game museum and solve puzzles to find a stolen painting, learning basic coding and game design concepts along the way.
• Chaos Maze
  Wonder Woman is in the Smithsonian Museum and she needs to collect artifacts before time runs out! In this free virtual experience, learners eight and older use block-based coding to design and code their own arcade game to play online.
• Legendary gauntlets
  The indestructible gauntlets that Wonder Woman wears to deflect attacks are symbols of empowerment and strength. Make and code your own Wonder Woman gauntlets that light up and have sound—activated with the iconic arm cross. This activity requires the physical purchase of items.
• Decode a secret message
  There’s a secret message that needs a code-cracker to find the truth. Learn how to crack a code that reveals an Easter-egg location from Wonder Woman 1984. Get a glimpse into the popular Python programming language with this introductory lesson that assumes zero background knowledge! You’ll be led through instructions to write two programs and learn about variables and functions.
• Super quiz
  Which Wonder Woman 1984 character are you? Use Python to build a quiz yourself and share it with your friends. This lesson will teach you the basics of Boolean commands and conditionals. No prior background in computer science is needed.

Three lessons inspired by NASA 

These new modules and learning paths created by Sarah Guthals are inspired by NASA scientists. They help prepare learners for a career in space exploration.

• Introduction to Python for space exploration
  Get an introduction to the types of space exploration problems that Python and data science can influence.
• Classify space rocks by using Python and artificial intelligence
  This learning path gives you a view into the worlds of AI and space. Learn how to create an AI model that can classify different types of space rocks in random photos.
• Predict rocket launch delays with machine learning
  This learning path introduces you to the world of machine learning. You’ll take a real-life problem that NASA faces and apply machine learning to solve it. The goal is to get students excited and curious to discover how machine learning could help solve other problems in space discovery and different aspects of life.

¹ World Economic Forum. March 2019. The digital skills gap is widening fast. Here’s how to bridge it.

² Wall Street Journal. October 15, 2019. America’s Got Talent, Just Not Enough in IT, citing data from CompTIA.

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At KID Museum, an experiential museum and community maker space just outside Washington, D.C. in Bethesda, Maryland, we serve tens of thousands of kids each year through summer camps, after-school classes, public workshops, and school programs focused on project-based, STEM learning. As the Director of Teaching and Learning, it’s my job to design and refine programs to ensure they fulfill our mission of empowering kids to become the creative problem-solvers of tomorrow. I do this by making sure we’re delivering a consistent, quality experience through program design and facilitation, using hands-on technologies to help students reach their creative goals.

KID Museum’s signature program, Invention Studio, engages middle-school students in a series of skill-building workshops that focus on technology, engineering, and fabrication. Students then use their skills to develop a prototype of an invention to help solve an environmental problem. During the first four years of this program, we used the Arduino electronics platform for the coding and robotics components of the program. But we found that it was a struggle to get kids past a level of basic understanding to a place where they felt comfortable adapting and using the tools in their own projects. As a result, very few of their final projects incorporated this technology.

So, this year, we were pleased to switch our Invention Studio Program to MakeCode for micro:bit. For the same price as an Arduino board, the Micro:bit gives kids access to the kind of high-impact, scaffolded learning experiences that had previously been prohibitively expensive. With Micro:bit and MakeCode we don’t need to teach the students breadboarding or worry about syntax errors in their code. It therefore takes us far less time to cover content like sensors and servo motors. So far, we’ve found this approach to be much more engaging for the students – they feel confident with the technology and are able to use it in their own unique creations.

An example of a mini-challenge we did with students learning MakeCode for micro:bit recently involved imagining they were children in Kenya who had to come up with an invention to keep lions out of their village at night. Students were challenged to use the Micro:bit to design a solution, such as using a servo motor to control a fence or using a temperature sensor to activate lights at night.

We’ve also found that the teachers who come to KID Museum with their students are more comfortable using the Micro:bit, are more engaged in the field trips, and feel better equipped to help students with their projects back at school!

For our elementary-school version of Invention Studio, which focuses on robotics, we’re using MakeCode with Hummingbird Bits. We love that MakeCode is accessible through the browser and easy to use, and we love the way it interfaces with the Hummingbird Robotics platform, thus making robotics projects more accessible for younger students. It’s a big upgrade from the previous Hummingbird technology because the robots no longer must be tethered to the computer.

The Invention Studio program culminates in a showcase for family, teachers, and the community. It’s an amazing experience as an educator to see these kids excitedly demo their robots — robots that they were able to build to reflect their individual creativity and imagination. It’s exciting as an educator to be able to provide our young people with these types of accessible, hands-on computing tools and creative learning experiences that not only prepare them with technology skills but also empower them to become the creative problem-solvers of tomorrow.

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