Students learn coding concept at SCRF

Wearable devices can truly begin to feel like a part of you. People are using such devices in a much more personal fashion these days. These devices can monitor your heart rate and count your steps, and when they need your attention, they vibrate. Teaching little programmers how to program a wearable device was a workshop at the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival (SCRF).

Around sixteen children, divided in teams of 4, were engrossed in understanding the basics of a Micro:bit, that are often used in wearable devices.

The Micro Bit (also referred to as BBC Micro Bit) by definition is an open source hardware in embedded systems, designed by the BBC for use in computer education.

Simplifying the functionality of the system, trainer Mohammed Al Kazi from Fun Robotics says, “it’s a pocket-sized codable computer that allows young people to get creative with technology, whatever their level of experience, and aims to help develop a new generation of digital pioneers”.

He further says, “applying coding and S.T.E.M. theories children can create codes for games and animation, while learning new concepts and using them playfully. This, at a more advanced level can lead to the creation of good wearable devices”.

While children continued to brainstorm with features of an accelerometer, Bluetooth, compass, USB hub and temperature sensors, the tiny programmable computer, definitely made learning easy and fun, with kids undertaking a few engineering challenges during the workshop.

As computing devices get smaller and smaller, and as they get more interested in knowing things about you, they have also become more intimate. A wearable device thus, has become a trusted and natural part of our lives that come from human needs. Therefore, honing the next generation of future leaders and engineers was this SCRF session on innovation-supporting programmes.

SCRF 2019 has brought a diverse collection of interactive workshops to advance children’s knowledge and expand their creative horizons. The 11-day cultural extravaganza for children and young adults organised by Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) is being held at the Expo Centre Sharjah under the theme ‘Explore Knowledge’.