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You can no longer submit your playground survey data, but you can still do all of the activities with your class.

The 大象传媒 micro:bit playground survey is part of the 大象传媒 micro:bit 鈥 the next gen campaign and is an exciting investigation to help children aged 7 - 11 get to grips with data science and digital skills in a fun and practical way that relates to their everyday lives.

This teacher's guide includes all of the information you need including details of the benefits of taking part, how the survey is linked to the curriculum, support that's available to you and much more.

Jump to the bottom of the page to download teacher resources for each activity

What is the 大象传媒 micro:bit playground survey?

The survey is a series of seven engaging, cross-curricular activities for primary schools across the UK. Five activities involve data collection and each of these is made up of three or four simple parts (sessions) including classroom-based planning, optional coding, playground fieldwork and whole-class data analysis.

The activities are: Getting started (Introduction), Comparing surface temperatures, Investigating biodiversity, Measuring area, Tracking our physical activity, Exploring machine learning and What next? (Extension).

There is a 大象传媒 Teach guide including a video for each of the activities and a micro:bit how to guide from the Micro:bit Educational Foundation for the coding and machine learning.

How can taking part benefit teachers and pupils?

By taking part, children will learn about big topics such as the importance of data and machine learning in a really fun, active and accessible way.

The survey guides and learning resources have been carefully crafted by subject specialists and can be used for teaching primary school pupils aged 7-11 and to support with Ofsted, Estyn, Education and Training Inspectorate NI and Education Scotland requirements.

How does the playground survey link to the curriculum?

Each data collection activity has been mapped to the curriculums in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. We have identified cross-curricular links and opportunities across multiple subjects, for every nation. By completing the playground survey sessions, children will explore Geography, Humanities, Maths, Numeracy, Science, Computing, ICT, PE, PSHE, Health and Wellbeing, Citizenship and more!

The playground survey curriculum maps can be downloaded as part of the available resources and we have also identified topics covered, suggested learning objectives and extension ideas to help you whilst planning.

How can I fit the survey into the school timetable?

The playground survey sessions are designed to work flexibly to help teachers fit this learning into a busy timetable. Teachers could choose to do just one activity or pick those that fit the learning they want to cover.

The sessions can be split across days, weeks or even months! We suggest the full survey be completed over the course of a two-to-six-week timetable.

How can I tailor the activities to the needs of my class?

To help every teacher feel confident in taking part, the playground survey resources include detailed, step-by-step teacher instructions for each activity. These can be adapted to meet the specific needs and learning objectives of your pupils.

We have noted areas for differentiation in the teacher instructions and the coding for each activity is optional. We have also suggested opportunities to make the code your own in each of the micro:bit how to guides.

What teaching support is available?

Teachers can access free in-person and online training courses to build their confidence teaching using the micro:bit from the Micro:bit Educational Foundation and partners across the nations.

There is also an opportunity for a STEM Ambassador to visit your school to help you conduct your playground survey (see below).

At no point during the data collection sessions, analysis, or data upload process are children being asked to collect personal data. However, some pupils and parents may benefit from an explanation of this prior to taking part. Pupils can learn about data privacy and data security as part of our Getting started and Exploring machine learning activities and a letter for parents/carers is provided at the end of this page.

Apply for a STEM Ambassador to help your school

STEM Ambassador volunteers are trained and available to support your micro:bit activities in the classroom and beyond. Registering as an Educator and requesting a STEM Ambassador via the website is quick and easy to do.

to post an activity request or look for an offer from a STEM Ambassador who has completed micro:bit training. All 28,000 STEM Ambassadors are fully background checked, trained in safeguarding and insured.

Join an to learn how Educators can use STEM Ambassadors or find help in their .

Please be aware that some of the links on this page will take you away from the 大象传媒.

Download the resources

Here you will find every downloadable resource for the 大象传媒 micro:bit playground survey:

Teacher instructions and worksheets for the activities

Curriculum maps

Posters and certificates

Please consider the environment and only print what you need.

Get started with the playground survey activities

Introduce the playground survey and the fun activities your primary school can take part in. Discuss data security and make your playground map!

Getting started

Enjoy comparing surface temperatures in four areas of your school playground with the micro:bit Thermometer program.

Comparing surface temperatures - try this first!

Use the micro:bit Biodiversity Counter program to investigate the number of different species of plants and animals in your playground.

Investigating biodiversity