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Lessons / Being active

Being active

Design challenge

3 activities

MakeCode

7-11 yrs, 11-14 yrs

In the Fitness friend activity students create a simple wearable device to give regular reminders to do some exercise.

In the Heart rate monitor activity students learn how to measure their heart rate and create a prototype of a heart rate monitor.

In the Walking for water activity students learn how some children have a daily walk for water and create a step counter to track their steps.

Computational thinking:

Algorithms

Computer systems:

Hardware & software

Input/output

Sensors

Design & technology:

Product design

Digital arts:

Wearables

Global Goals:

3 Health

Physical education:

Performance tools

Programming:

Selection

Sequence

Download design challenge

Activity 1 details

Overall key learning

  • To understand the importance of regular exercise to help prevent heart disease
  • To consider how wearable devices can support people to exercise and track their activity level
  • To design, code and test a prototype of a wearable device to remind people to exercise using the BBC micro:bit
  • can analyse problems in computational terms, and have repeated practical experience of writing computer programs in order to solve such problems
  • can evaluate and apply information technology, including new or unfamiliar technologies, analytically to solve problems
  • are responsible, competent, confident and creative users of information and communication technology

Additional skills

Creative thinking, prototyping, testing, debugging, collaboration, evaluation.

Activity 1: Fitness friend

In this activity, students learn about the importance of regular activity then create a simple wearable device to give regular reminders to exercise.

Key learning:

  • To understand the importance of regular exercise to help prevent heart disease
  • To write an algorithm for a 'Fitness friend' device to remind someone to exercise
  • To program, create and test a 'Fitness friend' device using the BBC micro:bit
Activity 1 details

Activity 2: Heart rate monitor

In this activity students learn how to measure their heart rate and create a prototype of a heart rate monitor.

Key learning:

  • To understand the importance of activity to help keep the heart healthy
  • To measure the effect of different activities on heart rate
  • To create, test and evaluate a prototype heart rate monitor using the micro:bit
Activity 2 details

Activity 3: Walking for water

In this activity, students learn how some children have a daily walk for water. They then create a step counter to track their own steps.

Key learning:

  • To develop empathy and understanding for others
  • To design and program a step counter using micro:bit
  • To use the step counter and undertake a ‘walking for water’ challenge
Activity 3 details

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