Microbits on the Move

Teach computing; see Scotland!

[this page is out of date on 9/4/25 as the scheme is no longer running]

Would you like to share your love of computing with primary school children? Would you like to visit beautiful areas of the Scottish countryside? If so, why not take part in the Microbits on the Move programme? After some free training in teaching with Microbits, you'll be matched to a rural school to visit for one day. You will teach classes of children about computing using Microbits, with the help of the class teacher. 

This scheme is open to undergraduate Computer Science and Informatics students studying at Scottish universities in years 2-5 of their course. The school visits are likely to take place between mid April and late June 2024. You can choose to visit the school with another student, assuming you both visit the two schools! There are around 35 places are available.

Microbits on the Move is organised by the University of Edinburgh School of Informatics and funded by SICSA Education with assistance from Data Education in Schools. 

How to get involved

1.    Express interest in the Microbits on the Move scheme by completing this form by March 8th 2024.
2.    Sign up as a STEM Ambassador. This process will involve a Disclosure Scotland background check which you will need for working with children. Note that this can take 6 weeks or more.
3.    Attend a Microbits training session run by the University of Edinburgh on 19th or 25th April. 
4.    You will get an email from Adam Chudzinski which will connect you with a school.  Where possible, Adam will try to match you with a school within 50 miles of your university. Some students may be asked to travel further so we can reach more remote schools - we will help you meet the cost if necessary. Contact the school and arrange a time for a visit which suits you both.
5.    Email Adam to tell him when the date is finalised.
6.    Review the advice on working with children here.
7.    Make all the travel arrangements, pay for the trip and visit the school.
8.    Take a photo of yourself outside the school gates beside the school sign.
9.    Complete this form to tell us how you got on during your visit: 
10.    Email the photo along with the email from the teacher confirming the visit to Adam.
 

If you have any questions, please contact Judy.Robertson@ed.ac.uk.