In this unit of work children design and make an alien soft toy and combine it with a Microbit controller to create an interactive soft toy. Children learn how Tamagotchi electronic pets were the most popular toy in the 1990s and that many schools banned pupils from bringing them to school. Children use a mood board and computer software to help them design their alien soft toy. They apply their knowledge and skills of joining textile pieces to create a soft toy which they decorate using a range of fabric techniques. As part of their design, they make a small window and pocket to accommodate a BBC Microbit controller. Using their knowledge of block coding they program the Microbit to interact with the user. As part of the project children create packaging and promotional materials for their product. This knowledge, skills and understanding is delivered through the following six sessions: IDEA Task 1: What was a Tamagotchi? & Focused Practical Task 1 – Toy Designer IDEA Task 2: All About the Micro:Bit Making the Product Programming the Product Packaging the Product Evaluating the Product

In this unit of work children using Crumble Kit components to design and make a night light that is controlled by a microcontroller and is activated when it gets dark. Children learn about all the different ways in which lights are used in the home and they understand that a product such as a lamp can bee broken down into its component parts. As part of their learning, they re-activate their knowledge of using simple circuits to make a bulb light up. They learn about the purpose of nightlights and about their inventor – Abe Donsky. As part of this learning sequence, children can also learn about Thomas Edision. Children are then taught about the different components of Crumble Kit and how they are controlled using block coding language. Children then apply they learnt knowledge and understanding to create nightlight that lights up when it gets dark using a light sensor to monitor the environment. The nightlight shade is made of recycled plastic and this needs to be considered when designing the nightlight.

In this unit of work children design and make a robot buggy that is controllable using Crumble Kit and programmed for random movement using computer block coding. As part of this project children learn about how electric vehicles work and the story of Elon Musk. Children embark on a series of focused practical tasks to create a chassis on which to add other electrical components to make their controllable vehicle. They learn how to use block code to program their vehicle to successfully complete the ‘test track’ before their vehicle is allowed to take part in the class Robo Wars. Children evaluate their project by making a short documentary film or a display stand or by taking part in a ‘show and tell’ event. This knowledge, skills and understanding is delivered through the following six sessions: IDEA Task 1 – Robo Wars! Focused Practical Task 1: Creating the Chassis Focused Practical Task 2: Vehicle Control Buggy Designing and Making Test Track Evaluation: The Robo Wars Competition – Let Battle Commence