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BBC Gladiator micro:bit competition

IMechE members judge BBC Gladiators micro:bit competition

The Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) partnered with Gladiators and BBC micro:bit – the next gen to support a design competition for UK Primary schools. The competition focused on technical design skills in Key Stage 2, combining them with hit TV show Gladiators. The competition combined an emphasis on computing and technology as well as sport.

In this nationwide contest, schools across the UK were challenged to design a fitness gadget using a micro:bit to enhance the performance of a gladiator. The winner, Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Primary School in East Sussex stood out among hundreds of entries with their inventive and well-executed design. Over 250 IMechE members from around the globe got involved with judging of the competition to help inspire the next generation of inventors, designers and sports scientists.

What is the BBC micro:bit?

The micro:bit is a pocket-sized computer designed to inspire creative thinking in children. The device provides an authentic experience of the interaction between hardware and software and gives children practical computer knowledge. Using it, they can see how what they do with the code on-screen has a direct impact on the device they're holding in their hand.

The features include:

  • An LED display that also doubles as a light sensor
  • An accelerometer that detects motion and movement
  • A microphone and a speaker
  • Radio and Bluetooth connectivity
  • Input buttons and a touch sensor