Local mentors, global impact - micro:bit Champions 2024
Celebrating innovation and inspiration from our amazing community
Our micro:bit Champions are a network of volunteers who are passionate about removing barriers to learning digital skills by using the micro:bit. We work closely with them to inspire young minds and build and support local communities of educators and other micro:bit enthusiasts.
From pioneering classroom projects to hosting community workshops and championing inclusive learning, these educators and enthusiasts have made a lasting impact across the globe. Their passion for digital creativity has empowered students, fostered collaboration, and showcased the transformative power of coding and physical computing.
In 2024, our 355 micro:bit Champions:
- spanned 53 countries across the world
- reached at least 200,000 students with micro:bit
- trained and supported over 30,000 teachers
- held at least 2000 workshops and events
- 98% felt that being a micro:bit Champion was a worthwhile experience
- 99% would recommend the programme to others.
Vivi Iatrou: empowering educators in Greece
Vivi Iatrou and Micro:bit Educational Foundation's Aimee Fagan, at micro:bit Live in Athens
In Greece, Vivi Iatrou has been working through Socialinnov to inspire teachers through events and training.
The micro:bit Live in Athens 2024 brought together over 100 educators to explore how micro:bit technology can transform teaching and empower the next generation of learners. It was organised by Socialinnov in partnership with the Micro:bit Educational Foundation and the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation.
Socialinnov’s Tech Talent School for Educators is providing teachers with hands-on training in coding, digital tools, and emerging technologies like micro:bit and AI. By offering practical, skills-based courses, the program ensures that educators can seamlessly integrate technology into their classrooms, preparing students for a rapidly evolving digital world.
Socialinnov’s Do Your Bit School extends this impact to students, introducing them to coding and computational thinking. A standout initiative, "Do Your Bit School – Protecting Our Seas," uses micro:bit technology to engage students in real-world environmental challenges, focusing on coastal and marine ecosystem protection. Through data analysis and creative problem-solving, students develop both technical skills and environmental awareness.
With these initiatives, Vivi Iatrou and Socialinnov hope to empower both teachers and students with the skills to thrive in a tech-driven world while fostering innovation, creativity, and a commitment to sustainability.
Carlos Borjas: bringing physical computing to Honduras
The 'Tinkering with Technology' event in Honduras, in which Carlos Borjas played a key role
As the Co-founder of Robótica Educativa de Honduras, Carlos Borjas is dedicated to advancing STEM education through practical learning. With a background in electronics and a degree in Electronic Engineering, he spent seven years teaching computer science, electronics, and educational robotics before establishing his company.
Recognizing the micro:bit as a powerful tool for digital education, Carlos integrated it into his company’s resources and lesson plans three years ago, introducing the technology to schools where it was previously unfamiliar. His efforts have helped expand access to coding, micro:bits and physical computing, earning him recognition as a micro:bit Champion in both 2023 and 2024.
Earlier this year, Carlos played a key role in the 'Tinkering with Technology' initiative, a collaboration between the Honduran government, UNICEF and the Micro:bit Educational Foundation. As a volunteer trainer, he helped over 40 teachers implement micro:bit-based learning in their classrooms and provided ongoing support for their successful integration. The program provided fifth-grade students with micro:bit devices, enabling them to create projects focused on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and specifically climate change. Within three months, students were applying their new skills to develop innovative solutions as part of the Honduras do your :bit celebration.
Kaiko Oishi: inspiring the next generation of engineers in Japan
Kaiko Oishi poses with a bag of micro:bits displayed
Kaiko Oishi is dedicated to delivering high-quality programming and science education to elementary and junior high school students across Japan. She is the CEO at Codience, where all instructors are professional engineers. This provides students with an engaging environment to explore programming, hardware development, and software applications using tools like micro:bit.
This year, Oishi is setting her sights on serious electronics work with her team—an ambition sparked by her experience at the IT Challenge Girls Camp, a programming education support program for high school girls. There, she connected with fellow micro:bit Champions Izumiyasu and Nakauchi, discovering a newfound passion for hardware development. Now, she’s bringing that inspiration back to Codience, where she plans to take electronics education to the next level with her team of engineers.
With her expertise and enthusiasm, Oishi continues to empower young learners, proving that programming isn’t just about code—it’s about building the future!
Douglas Ayitey: transforming STEAM education in Ghana
Some of the teachers and students who have benefitted from The MakersPlace's training
Douglas Ayitey is dedicated to inspiring Ghana’s next generation of innovators and changemakers through The MakersPlace. By equipping students and teachers with hands-on skills in coding, robotics, and engineering, he hopes to revolutionise STEAM education in Ghana. Since 2019, the organisation has impacted over 10,000 learners, integrating micro:bit technology to foster problem-solving and innovation in classrooms.
Through the Train-the-Trainer (T3) Model, 100+ teachers have been trained to incorporate coding into their lessons, creating a lasting impact on students. One educator shared, "Before this training, I had never used coding in my lessons. Now, I confidently teach my students how to use micro:bit to solve real-world problems."
The ‘do your:bit’ challenge further encourages students to develop technology-driven solutions for global issues, with projects tackling sustainability, health, and accessibility. With 150+ students participating, the initiative showcases the power of STEAM in real-world problem-solving.
By expanding access to micro:bit technology, scaling up the T3 program, and growing the ‘do your:bit’ Challenge, The MakersPlace continues to inspire and equip Ghana’s next generation of innovators and changemakers.
Ali Alzuibady: Moonhack Iraq 2024
Ali Alzuibady with the Moonhack Iraq 2024 participants
Coding for a sustainable future is a key topic for Ali Alzuibady. Through his organisation Coding for Kids Iraq NGO, in collaboration with Code Club Australia, the Moonhack Iraq 2024 event was dedicated to inspiring young minds through coding and sustainability.
This year, participants engaged with the Microsoft MakeCode platform to bring the “Talking Rubbish” project to life using micro:bit. This hands-on activity, developed by Code Club Australia, encouraged children to explore how coding and technology can address real-world environmental challenges. Through creativity and problem-solving, young coders took another step toward a more sustainable future—one line of code at a time!
We trained 50 participants in Iraq, equipping them with the skills to collect and analyze data using micro:bit technology. Our goal is to empower Generation Alpha with coding knowledge that drives progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Through technology, we are building a smarter and more sustainable future - together!
Ali Alzuibady, micro:bit Champion 2024, Iraq
Championing micro:bit and digital creativity
From Greece to Ghana, Japan to Iraq, Honduras to Canada, micro:bit Champions have used micro:bit to deliver inspirational STEAM education, making coding and technology more accessible.
Through workshops, competitions, and hands-on projects, thousands of young minds have been inspired to become problem-solvers and innovators. The legacy of 2024's micro:bit Champions will continue to shape the future, proving that with technology and passion, we can transform education and create lasting change. Thank you so much for your work!
