Bring your Technology & Engineering standards and your Environmental Literacy & Sustainability standards together in one room! In this hands-on workshop, environmental educators will get a full introduction to physical computing with the BBC micro:bit, a small but mighty device with built-in sensors for light, sound, and temperature, and explore how it can deepen outdoor and place-based learning in any program.

We’ll start with the basics: an intro to micro:bit and MakeCode, followed by an intro to PA STEELS and how to read a standard. From there, participants will get hands-on with environmental sensors and data logging, learning to collect, visualize, and interpret real-world data using their own micro:bit. Along the way, we’ll draw inspiration from naturalist spotlights, botanist and author Robin Wall Kimmerer, and science visuals developer Alyssa Pagan, exploring how data, storytelling, and art intersect in environmental education.

Throughout the session, we’ll discuss how these activities connect to specific STEELS standards, how to integrate physical computing into existing programs, and different approaches to teaching coding to a range of learners and comfort levels.