The BBC Gladiators micro:bit competition is challenging 7-to-11-year-olds to design a gadget that can improve the performance of the Gladiators. It encourages students to think about the purpose and function of a product rather than how it might be digitally coded. The design process is essential and, as an engineer with decades of experience, I know it is essential for bringing an idea to life.

The micro:bit is a pocket-sized computer designed to inspire creative thinking in children. They can use it for science experiments; play Rock Paper Scissors with their classmates; or even count how many steps they took during their lunchtime break and compare the results over a week, month or term. It’s a great example of good design. Many hundreds of hours of thought and care have gone into creating a fun little device that is a joy to use. And central to the design has been the classroom teacher and the children who use it. We wanted to make it as simple to use as possible.

The micro:bit helps children to bring ideas to life by easily building prototypes. The icons and cute sounds give it a unique personality. The device allows children to quickly experiment with concepts, join some code blocks together, add some icons and sounds, and then share their prototype with others. What’s more, it’s accessible to children with widely differing abilities.

As the Design and Technology Association rightly points out, allowing children to learn design and technology at school provides them the opportunity to develop their skills, knowledge and understanding of designing and making functional products. The micro:bit is packed with easily accessible technology that means it is easy to use and developing new designs is straightforward.

We are challenging 7-11-year-olds to design a gadget that will help the Gladiators – yes, the Gladiators (eek!) – improve their performance. Schools can win some amazing prizes including a visit from a Gladiator and a £500 voucher for computing equipment for the overall winner. And there’s also classroom sets of micro:bits for the top 50 entries.

We want to engage children who might not necessarily identify with the technological aspects of the device. The competition is all about encouraging children to initially ‘think big’ in developing their ideas – we know just about anything can be powered by a micro:bit. Once they’ve come up with the problem they want to solve, they simply have to communicate their ideas using sketches and diagrams.

Design in the real world is also about working as a team. The competition asks children to work in small groups, or as a class, to refine individual designs and combine their ideas. Using iterative design processes, the competition provides resources to help pupils to work together to decide which features to take forward into their final design.

Schools can submit up to three entries. The website provides free resources for a Gladiators Inventor Workshop, including lesson plans and pupil worksheets. You can even watch a Live Lesson featuring Phantom and Dynamite going head-to-head in an epic battle of the fitness gadgets. All entries must include a drawing of the design along with a description of the idea in no more than 300 words. Prizes include a prototype of your gadget delivered to the winning school by a Gladiator!

Good luck!

For more information about the BBC Gladiators micro:bit competition, to watch the Live Lesson or to download the accompanying resources, please visit: www.bbc.co.uk/microbit. Hurry, the competition closes at midday on Friday 6 December 2024.

David Whale is a BBC micro:bit expert.