Celebrating the micro:bit Champions 2023 cohort
Transforming lives through a global network of dedicated teachers and community leaders.
Photo by Cindha Riri Pratiwi taken at Muhammadiyah Boarding School in Indonesia.
Launched in 2021, the micro:bit Champions programme has two key aims–firstly to share best practice with passionate teachers and community leaders in order to strengthen their capabilities, and secondly to support those Champions to become leaders within their communities, sharing this learning with fellow teachers and their students.
As an extension of the Foundation, Champions allow us to access communities we could not reach on our own. Feedback from participants has emphasised not only the personal benefit that Champions gain, but also the impact it creates within their communities, countries and beyond.
Being a champion has paved the way for me to influence teachers not only in my country but also all over Africa and to share with them my experience and projects with micro:bit.
Raja, Tunisia
I had the opportunity to bring the use of the micro:bit to indigenous teachers who were seeing an electronic device for the first time.
José,Paraguay
Photo: Students from an indigenous community learning with the micro:bit through Champion activities in Paraguay
Champion facts and figures
- Our Champions for 2023 were located in 50 countries around the world.
- Champions presented at over 50 workshops and events promoting computer science education in over a dozen countries around the world, including low-income countries such as Benin and Burkina Faso.
- The Foundation hosted over 25 meet-ups for Champions in 6 languages to support, educate, and create a community among micro:bit Champions.
- A highly successful mentoring programme was set up in Malaysia, where our micro:bit Champion, Dr Raja,trained undergraduate students to teach core computing skills with the micro:bit.
Photo: A micro:bit Champion online meet up
For Champions themselves, a huge amount was gained by participating in the programme:
I am a part of a global community where new ideas and projects are shared[...]I know that there is always support from the micro:bit Champion community in case I face any problem or I misunderstand something. It's a big family and I love being part of it.
Stavroula, Greece
I have been able to meet with other Champions across the globe. I have also seen the impact others are making and I have been encouraged to do more.
Ruth, Nigeria
Many Champions have been recognised by their local governments as experts and changemakers in the fields of education and computer science education. Examples include:
- Selçuk Yusuf Arslan: most outstanding young person in Turkey in the category of Environmental Protection and Moral Leadership By Junior Chamber International
- Amanda Pickard: Digital Innovator of the Year-Scot Ed Awards
- Mohammed Azrul Che Mustapha(pictured below): received Pingat Perkhidmatan Cemerlang(Distinguished Service Medal) from the Government of Malaysia.
Photo: Mohammed Azrul Che Mustapha
Many more amazing Champions have contributed to our best year yet and we sincerely thank every single one of them (272 in 2023). We’ll be opening applications for our 2024 cohort early next year so do keep an eye on our social media platforms or sign up to our newsletter.
