MicroPython 4 Kids (ages 11-16)

This course is currently unavailable. For information on our active Workshop courses, please visit this page: Spark4kids’ Workshop Courses

Course Information

MicroPython 4 Kids is a computer coding workshop for children aged 11-16, during which they will complete a number of micro-controller programming projects using the popular Python language on the BBC Micro:bit. Each child that attends this course will take home their own BBC Micro:bit.

Attendees of all abilities are welcome, from beginners (who have never written a line of code) all the way through to experienced coders. Those who have attended this workshop in the past can attend again if they enjoyed it the last time; we tailor the coding challenges to build upon topics covered in previous workshops (please indicate previous attendance/experience in booking notes).

This is an all-inclusive workshop, with Spark4Kids providing all the course material and tuition.

Activities

On this practical workshop, children will be introduced to micro-controller programming, by writing Python code to control the MicroBit’s 25 individually-programmable LED’s and the 2 programmable buttons.

Specifically, attendees will create projects that take advantage of the MicroBit’s multiple sensors and communications features, and the coding challenges available for tackling include:

• Creating a rock, paper, scissors game (Push-buttons)
• Designing digital metronome (I/O pins)
• Playing music and tunes (Music and Sound FX)
• Creating Magic 8-Ball game (Accelerometer)
• Reading out Dalek poetry (Speech synthesis)
• Creating digital dice (Random)
• Sending/receiving morse code (Networking)
• Creating a digital compass (Compass)
• Reading/writing data files (Local Persistent File System)

The workshop is designed to keep the kids engaged throughout the day. There will be sufficient breaks to ensure that the children spend some time away from the computer and weather permitting, there will also be breaks outdoors.

The focus is on creating a fun and supportive environment in which children learn about various aspects of technology and coding.

The workshop is designed to keep the kids engaged during the sessions, and while the focus is on creating a fun and supportive environment in which children learn about various aspects of technology and coding, there will be sufficient breaks to ensure that the children spend some time away from the computer.

In-Person Sessions

Our In-person courses are available to book for the following times (London/UK time):

• In-person Mornings: 9:30am – 12:00pm
• In-person Full Day:  9:30am – 3:30pm

If your child is unwell and showing symptoms of COVID, do not send them in to Spark4Kids – please get in touch with us instead. Our contact details can be found at the bottom of the page.

Attending a Course Multiple Times

You can re-book the same Spark4Kids course multiple times if your child has previously attended the course and enjoyed working on the coding challenges. We are constantly updating our courses and there are always new coding challenges to tackle. We are also able to further tailor the coding challenges for a specific course to suit your child if he/she has a clear idea of what they would like to work on (kindly email us about this prior to the course starting).

Further Information

Attending a Course Multiple Times

You can re-book the same Spark4Kids course multiple times if your child has previously attended the course and enjoyed working on the coding challenges. We are constantly updating our courses and there are always new coding challenges to tackle. We are also able to further tailor the coding challenges for a specific course to suit your child if he/she has a clear idea of what they would like to work on (kindly email us about this prior to the course starting).

Sibling Discounts

We offer sibling discounts for families with more than one child enrolled with Spark4Kids. A discount of 10% is automatically deducted from the second child’s fees.

For term-time bookings, children looking to have double sessions during term-time are also offered a 10% discount off the second hour of the session. For workshop bookings, children who are booked on a second workshop also attract a 10% discount on the second workshop.

Discounts are automatically applied during the booking process if all courses are included in the same shopping basket and paid for at the same time. They do not apply if sessions for siblings or other multiple sessions are booked and paid for in separate transactions.

Paying by Instalments

Spark4Kids accepts payment by instalments on some of our courses, provided the booking is completed early (the option is not available if booking within a month of the course start date).

To pay for a course by instalments, kindly select the course you want, add to basket, and then proceed to check-out by clicking “View Basket” (you may need access to your email account). At check-out, choose “Pay by Instalments” as the payment option, and follow the on-screen prompts to complete your booking.

Childcare Vouchers

Spark4Kids accepts childcare vouchers as fee payment towards all of our courses from the following childcare voucher providers:

• Bravo Benefits (formerly Busy Bees)
• Care-4
• Childcare Grants
• ComputerShare
• Co-operative Flexible Benefits
• Edenred
• Employers For Childcare
• Enjoy Benefits
• FairCare
• Fideliti
• KiddiVouchers
• My Family Care
• NW Brown
• Reward Gateway
• Sodexo
• UK Government Tax-Free Credit vouchers (via Childcare Choices)
• Wider Plan

To pay for a course using childcare vouchers, select the course you want, add to basket, and then proceed to check-out by clicking “View Basket” (you may need access to your email account). When at check-out, choose “Pay with Childcare Vouchers” as the payment option, and follow the on-screen prompts to complete your booking (you will be emailed Spark4Kids voucher payment details in order for you to complete payment via your childcare providers website).

We can also accept a fee payment that is split between a childcare voucher payment and a standard debit/credit card payment (e.g. if your remaining childcare voucher balance isn’t enough to cover the course fee). To do this, kindly get in touch using the contact details listed in the footer of this page.

To book a place on the MicroPython 4 Kids workshop, use the booking form alongside, or call us on 020 8090 1444 if you have any questions.