micro:bit Live Global 2026 - recap
This global event reflected on the last 10 years, and looked forward to the next decade of collaboration and innovation in computer science education
What do flying ducks, the hundred languages of children, and dancing have in common? On a spring weekend in Barcelona, they were all highlights of a packed agenda at micro:bit Live Global 2026. This event, proudly supported by Nordic Semiconductor, brought together an incredible mix of people from all over the world to connect and share valuable insights about computer science education.
As we kicked off celebrations of the 10-year anniversary of the Micro:bit Educational Foundation, attendees came together to learn from a decade of collaboration and exploration, and consider what the next decade of technological innovation could mean for the young people of today.
For me, the most remarkable thing is the number of people from different countries who have been at this event.
Alexandra Martin Sánchez, Generalitat de Catalunya
Teaching computing in an AI world
In computing education, we need more critical thinking… I think the micro:bit is hugely impactful in that because it works across subjects, it is related to the real world.
Professor Sue Sentance, University of Cambridge
Artificial intelligence was a key theme of the conference. Plenty of talks and presentations touched on why teaching about AI is so important, discussing key considerations when thinking about teaching AI - how physical computing plays a part, how young people should be empowered to understand it better, and why breaking down barriers to AI is essential.
Explore
- micro:bit in an AI world
- Exploring access to AI literacy
- Data literacy: learning to unlock the power of data
Diversity, accessibility and inclusion
I think it used to be typically white men that participated in computer science. And now we're seeing a lot more women participating. We're seeing a lot more people from different cultures, different sorts of communities, which I think is really, really cool.
Dr Marcelo Worsley, Northwestern University
To inspire every child to create their best digital future, it it vitally important to reduce the barriers that exist for many children. In the past 10 years, more efforts have been made to consider the needs of learners with disabilities, from different backgrounds, and those with specific needs. But much more needs to be done, and educators and organisations should continue to work in collaboration to keep accessibility a priority.
Explore
- Making learning with the micro:bit accessible
- The last 10 years - Gareth Stockdale and Dr Maya Israel in conversation
Creativity and physical computing
micro:bit is perfectly designed to help young people develop as creative, curious, caring, and collaborative learners.
Mitchel Resnick, MIT Media Lab
By making computing physical, the micro:bit enables young people to develop creative ideas relevant to their own lives, empowering learners by taking coding off the screen and placing it into their own hands. At micro:bit Live Global, people from around the world shared incredible examples of how they and their learners got creative with the micro:bit, demonstrating the powerful impact of combining passion, play and physical computing.
Explore
- Mitchel Resnick, Supporting the hundred languages of children
- Designing for learner agency: physical computing with the BBC micro:bit
Research and innovation
For us in the Micro:bit Educational Foundation, what's important is to continue to support teachers as they face new challenges in the classroom.
Gareth Stockdale, Micro:bit Educational Foundation
Underpinning all of the creative ideas was a strong focus on research, and how this can be used to continue innovating computer science education. The launch of the Micro:bit Innovation and Research Lab is a huge milestone, to enable more collaborations across the academic, educational and technological sectors.
Explore
- Exploring Physical Computing in Schools: a UK-based research study
- Micro:bit Innovation and Research Lab launch - panel
Thank you so much
This event was a celebration of the entire micro:bit community and beyond. We are so grateful to everyone for sharing their knowledge, being open to discussion and collaboration, and especially appreciative of the volunteers who contributed their time to help.
A huge thanks to the event supporters, without whom this event would not have been possible:
- Nordic
- Sistema THEAD
- Generalitat de Catalunya
- Farnell
- RS
Catch up on the event
Explore thought-provoking content from micro:bit Live Global 2026:
