Pupils from schools across Greater Manchester will take over Old Trafford stadium today to explore careers in technology, as 7,740 Nominet-funded micro:bits, found in 258 free technology kits, are donated to all secondary schools across the city.
Image Credit: Micro:bit Educational Foundation
The 600 girls, representing more than 30 schools, will take part in hands-on workshops covering AI, cyber security and robotics at TechFirst MEGA: Manchester, led by IN4 Group, the regional delivery partner of TechFirst, the US Government’s flagship tech skills program.
The Micro:bit Educational Foundation, in collaboration with Greater Manchester Combined Authority, is donating the kits to help more young people develop digital and technology skills. The first 33 kits, each containing 30 micro:bits, will be distributed to schools on the day through Manchester United Foundation and a further 225 to follow in the coming months.
The BBC micro:bit is a pocket-sized programmable computer that turns coding into a hands-on, creative experience. Children have used it to invent everything from digital pets and temperature controlled fans, to fitness trackers and remote controlled vehicles, learning how to turn their ideas into working technology.
Research commissioned by the Foundation also found that 81% of girls who had learned with a micro:bit were interested in a coding related career, compared with 37% who had not been taught with one.
Melanie Washington, Chief Partnerships Officer at Micro:bit Educational Foundation, said: “Girls need opportunities to discover that technology isn't just something they use, it's something they can create with and shape. The micro:bit gives young people the chance to experiment, solve problems and bring their ideas to life. By donating micro:bits to schools across Greater Manchester, we want more children to experience coding for themselves, discover what they're capable of and develop skills that could open doors to future careers.”
Tim Bowman, Executive Director, Education, Work and Skills at Greater Manchester Combined Authority, said: “Every young person in Greater Manchester should be able to see a clear route to a good job in our growing economy, with access to the skills and experience they need to succeed.
“Putting these pocket-sized computers into every secondary school across our city region will inspire more young people to explore technology and imagine themselves in careers they may never have thought were for them.”
Lauren Monks, Director of TechFirst and MEGA Hubs at IN4 Group, said: “All girls in Greater Manchester should have the chance to explore technology for themselves and see where those skills could take them. Bringing 600 girls to Old Trafford gives them the chance to build confidence, try new technologies, meet industry professionals and discover careers they might never have considered. These kits will give schools practical tools to continue that learning in the classroom, extending the impact of this event and giving even more young people the chance to feel inspired and bring their own ideas to life.”
The event forms part of the Government-backed TechFirst program, delivered by IN4 Group across the North West and East Midlands, with Micro:bit Educational Foundation as a TechFirst Education Partner. It also supports Greater Manchester's MBacc initiative, connecting technical education with employers and career opportunities in the region's growing industries.
The donation comes as the Micro:bit Educational Foundation marks its 10th anniversary. Over the past decade, the foundation has helped 73.5 million young people across more than 85 countries build essential digital skills, with an ambitious target of reaching 100 million by 2028.