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Lessons / Night safety

Night safety

Design challenge

3 activities

MakeCode

7-11 yrs, 11-14 yrs

In the Night sensor activity students create a wearable device to give a visual and audio reminder when it is time to “Be Safe: Be Seen!’ at nightfall.

In the Flashing wheels project students design a prototype of a flashing wheel light to help improve road safety for a wheelchair user.

In the Bag for Juliane project students learn about Juliane, a girl from Zimbabwe, and create a light-up bag for her journey to school.

Computational thinking:

Algorithms

Computer systems:

Input/output

Sensors

Design & technology:

Product design

Global Goals:

3 Health

Programming:

Sequence

Download design challenge

Activity 1 details

Overall key learning

  • to understand the issues around road safety for children at night
  • to consider how technology can help children to ‘Be Safe: Be Seen!’
  • to design, program, test and present working prototypes using the BBC micro:bit to help children 'Be Safe: Be Seen!'
  • 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, presenting.

Activity 1: Night sensor

Students develop their understanding around road safety for children at night and explore potential solutions before planning, creating and testing a Night sensor using the BBC micro:bit.

Key learning:

  • To understand the problem of road safety for children
  • To explore ways technology can help children stay safe at night
  • To plan, create and test a ‘Night sensor’ using the BBC micro:bit to remind children to ‘Be Safe: Be Seen!
Activity 1 details

Activity 2: Flashing wheels

Students design, create and test a prototype of a flashing wheel light to help improve road safety at night for wheelchair users.

Key learning:

  • To develop understanding of issues around road safety for wheelchair users, especially at night.
  • To design and create a prototype of a flashing wheel light using micro:bit to help wheelchair users 'Be Safe: Be Seen!' at night.
  • To test, debug, evaluate and present a Flashing wheel light prototype.
Activity 2 details

Activity 3: A bag for Juliane

In this activity, students learn about Juliane, a girl from Zimbabwe who has come to England as a refugee and create a light up bag for her journey to school.

Key learning:

  • To develop empathy and understanding for child refugees
  • To design a bag to help Juliane, a child refugee, feel safer on her school journey
  • To design and code a light for Juliane’s bag using micro:bit
  • To create a bag featuring a micro:bit light and other features to help Juliane (if you have materials)
Activity 3 details

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