If you were unable to join us for the 'Physical Computing Competition' online community meeting, don’t worry! You can catch up on all the content and a recording of the session below.

Inspiring Engagement Through Physical Computing Competitions

Key Takeaways:

1. Physical computing competitions provide a compelling way to engage students in hands-on, creative problem-solving.

2. Teachers can use competitions to foster collaboration, resilience, and real-world application of computing concepts.

3. Planning and scaffolding are essential to ensure all students, regardless of experience, can participate meaningfully.

4. Competitions can be tailored to different year groups and skill levels, making them accessible to a broad range of learners.

5. There are numerous resources available to help teachers set up and support competition participation in their schools.

Bringing Computing to Life Through Competition

Physical computing competitions offer an exciting way for students to apply their programming and problem-solving skills in tangible, engaging ways. During the recent CAS community meeting, speakers shared insights on how such competitions can not only reinforce computational thinking but also inspire students to explore computing beyond the curriculum.

Why Competitions Matter

One of the key discussion points was how competitions provide an authentic context for learning, helping students see the real-world impact of their coding and engineering skills. Many competitions involve designing and building interactive projects using microcontrollers, sensors, and robotics—giving students the opportunity to tackle challenges creatively and collaboratively.

The session highlighted how competitions encourage resilience and iterative design thinking. When students encounter problems, they must debug, refine, and improve their designs, fostering perseverance and critical thinking. This mirrors the professional computing industry, making competitions a valuable preparation tool for future careers.

Making Competitions Accessible

A recurring theme was inclusivity. The speakers shared practical advice on structuring competitions to be accessible to all students, including those with little prior experience. Strategies included providing scaffolded tasks, using block-based programming for beginners, and offering differentiated challenges to suit different skill levels.

Teachers also discussed the importance of setting realistic expectations and breaking projects into manageable milestones. This helps ensure that students remain motivated and feel a sense of accomplishment as they progress through the competition.

Getting Started in Your School

The meeting covered a range of available competitions, from local challenges to international contests. Some well-known options include:

• The Astro Pi Challenge (coding for space experiments)

• VEX Robotics Competitions

• Pi Wars (robotics challenges using Raspberry Pi)

• Micro:bit Challenges

Each of these competitions has different entry requirements and themes, allowing teachers to choose one that aligns with their students' interests and school resources.

Next Steps: Reflecting on Your Practice

If you’re considering running a physical computing competition in your school, here are some key questions to ask yourself:

• How can I integrate competitions into my existing curriculum?

• What support do my students need to engage successfully?

• How can I use competitions to promote teamwork and problem-solving?

• What budget and resources are required, and how can I secure them?

Try This in Your Classroom:

• Mini-Challenge: Set up a small in-class competition where students create a simple interactive project using micro:bits or Raspberry Pi.

• Peer Mentorship: Pair experienced students with beginners to encourage skill-sharing.

• Showcase Events: Host an internal showcase where students present their projects, building confidence and excitement.

Further Resources

To support your journey in integrating competitions into your teaching, explore these resources:

CAS Community Forums

Raspberry Pi Foundation

Micro:bit Educational Foundation

VEX Robotics

Event Recording

Competitions are a fantastic way to bring physical computing to life for students. Whether you're new to them or looking to expand your existing participation, there’s a wealth of support available. Why not take the first step and explore which competition might be the right fit for your students?