micro:bit in Wonderland: Coding & Craft with the BBC micro:bit (microbit)

**SECOND EDITION UPDATED FOR THE NEW MAKECODE EDITOR**

Are you ready for an adventure with the BBC micro: bit in Wonderland?

"Why," said the Dodo, "the best way to explain it is to do it." Come down the rabbit hole and modernise the White Rabbit's pocket watch, program the Lobster Quadrille dance, create an anger monitor for the Queen of Hearts and lots more!

Create 12 interactive projects, inspired by Lewis Carroll's classic story Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, and learn how to program the BBC micro: bit (microbit) mini computer using block-based coding. Gradually build modern skills as you learn about wearables, electronic games, e-textiles, electronics circuits, digital music, animation and much more.

The hands-on projects use simple, inexpensive electronics and everyday household and craft materials. The book provides a playful introduction for anyone new to coding, electronics and the BBC micro: bit. As you make each project you will develop important creative and computational thinking skills to enable you to imagine, design and create your own projects.

The projects are suitable for beginners aged 9 and over (including teens and adults). Younger children will require adult assistance, whereas older learners can work more independently using the easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions with colour illustrations and photographs. Additional instructions, templates and bonus content are available on the accompanying website alice.techagekids.com to make things easy for parents and teachers.

Written by computer scientist, Dr Tracy Gardner, and designer, Elbrie de Kock, micro: bit in Wonderland offers a springboard to develop modern skills, understand the digital world around you and explore technology and electronics in a creative way.

As a Mum with a limited computer background, I often feel left behind by my children's computer knowledge. This book provides a brilliant way of engaging with my child to be creative and learn new coding skills together. Using the story of Alice in Wonderland as the context, along with the clear instructions, makes the projects easy to follow and enjoyable to make. If I can do this, anyone can!" Anne Wan, children's book author and mother of three.

 

"I really enjoyed the activities - my favourite was the croquet." Bethany (aged 11).

 

"When I first heard about the micro:bit I was fairly underwhelmed and wondered how much you could really do with 25 red LEDs and a few inputs.  How wrong I was!  I absolutely love the creativity of this book. Tracy and Elbrie have brought together a unique combination of skills to develop these incredible projects that most of us couldn't even dream of. I would have loved a book like this at the age of 10 or 11 (or even older!) and although the projects will appeal to both boys and girls I think this book could be a significant tool for engaging this generation of young girls with computing." Sian January, software engineer and mother of two.

 

"The Alice theme works well, and the integration of crafting is a great way to elevate even the simplest projects into something quite special."

Sean McManus, author of Cool Scratch Projects in Easy Steps

 

"When we were presented with the draft of this book it was a delight to explore. It is coherent, concise and comprehensive. It takes the readers on a learning journey but in a way that is full of fun activities, set in the context of a timeless story that is known and loved around the world."  Gareth James, chief of education and strategy at Micro:bit Education Foundation.

 

“Lewis Carroll, aka Charles Dodgson, was an inventive genius who has caught the imagination of generations of children all over the world in his Alice’s Adventures books.  In their ‘micro:bit in Wonderland’ book, Tracy Gardner and Elbrie de Kock draw on that tradition and bring it graphically into the digital era.  They skillfully appeal to young learners’ imaginations and creativity, while giving them the digital tools they need to take control.   The chapters skilfully blend together practical craftwork using familiar materials with the pervasive 21st Century electronic tools on which we are increasingly reliant.  The clear and simple style of the text demystifies the processed involved and places them firmly in the grasp of primary school children.  Anyone, young or old, who has completed the projects in this book will be very well placed to create their own inventions.  I thoroughly recommend this book, and I also look very much look forward to reading more from these talented authors.”

Prof. Adrian Oldknow, Founder of the Cambridge Centre for Innovation in Technological Education

 

“Tech Age Kids have created an engaging, inspiring and visually beautiful activity book that is an absolute asset for classroms and families alike. Teaching and playing with children in ways that incorporate technology and develop their coding skills will bring them a lot of fun now and better prepare them for the world of tomorrow.”

Jane Moody, Drift Educational IT Services