IEEE STEM Week 2025: Empowering Rural Students through the Micro:bit

The IEEE DBCE Student Branch celebrated its STEM Week from 8th to 12th September 2025 with a workshop titled “Code • Create • Innovate: A Micro:bit STEM Journey”, organized in association with the Unnat Bharat Abhiyan Campaign. The sessions were conducted for students of Government High School, Balli; Government High School, Shigao; Government High School, Malkarnem; Sacordem Education Society; and St. Joseph High School, Usgao, inspiring them to explore coding, creativity, and innovation through hands-on Micro:bit activities.

The series of workshops aimed to ignite curiosity in STEM education and equip students with essential 21st-century skills using the BBC Micro:Bit, a pocket-sized programmable device that makes coding interactive and engaging. Students were introduced to the Micro:Bit’s LED matrix, onboard sensors, and wireless communication features. Using the MakeCode platform, they created projects such as scrolling name badges, dice emulators, Rock–Paper–Scissors games, digital thermometers, reaction-time games, and compasses. Advanced activities demonstrated wireless communication between devices, offering a progressive learning experience from basics to applied coding.

The response from students across all five schools was overwhelmingly positive, marked by enthusiasm, teamwork, and a growing interest in robotics, IoT, and programming. This initiative was made possible through the dedicated efforts of the 25-member IEEE DBCE Student Branch STEM team led by Mr. Loxley Dias, under the guidance of IEEE Student Branch Counselor, Mr. Yeshudas Muttu.