Farnell, an Avnet Company and global distributor of electronic components, products and solutions, has expanded its range of educational devices from DFRobot. DF Robot’s user-friendly open-source hardware and software tools are designed to inspire future creators by offering an introduction to electronic project design.

Farnell now stocks more than 140 products from DFRobot including a series of robotics kits and the popular Boson Starter Kit for micro:bit, which was awarded Five Stars in the 2018 Teach Primary Resource Awards:

• Robotics kits: DFRobot’s kits introduce users to robotics and programming by simulating real-world equipment and applications. The Max:Bot is a programmable entry-level DIY robot featuring motors, speakers and sensors that teaches junior students how to build a robot with direct programming and remote control operation. The Maqueen Mechanic Kit provides a hands-on introduction to functional machinery through the assembly of a robotic bulldozer and loading machine that can complete real-world tasks such as loading objects and sorting goods. For more advanced students, the 4-Soldering Light Chaser Beam Robot Kit and Insectbot Hexa teach enthusiasts how to solder electronic components while developing a basic understanding of circuits and programming to enable smart motion and obstacle avoidance.

• Boson Kits: Based on a set of easy-to-use modularised plug-and-play electronic building blocks, these kits include tutorials, course materials and free coding software that can be easily integrated with micro:bit and Arduino. The Boson Starter Kit for micro:bit is designed to teach first-time users about coding and electronics using sound and light sensors. The Boson Inventor Kit is an ideal tool for teaching STEM in schools and breaks down complicated circuits into simple, functional modules that are easy to understand. Requiring no coding or soldering, the kit also includes 12 activity cards for building interactive electronics projects with LEGO blocks. The Boson Science Kit is a set of digitalised scientific exploration tools for young scientists to build hands-on projects, The kit includes the eight scientific sensors widely used in modern Internet of Things (IoT) applications, allowing exploration of physics, chemistry and biology.

Romain Soreau, Head of SBC at Farnell, said: “DFRobot is a world leading innovator in the development of accessible and easy-to-use hardware and software tools for STEM education. Their learning kit range delivers hands-on tools that enable students to learn about new technologies in a highly creative and collaborative way. These are great additions to Farnell’s broad education offering and will help to further inspire the next generation of engineers.”

Farnell stocks a broad range of education devices that can be supplied in classes, schools and multiple-school quantities and has worked with multiple educational organisations and governments to support strategic rollouts of STEM learning solutions into the classroom. Farnell can also offer support with provision and bundling of equipment for bespoke large-scale programmes.

The DFRobot range is available from Farnell in EMEA, Newark in North America and element14 in APAC.

Farnell, Avnet Company and global distributor of electronic components, products and solutions, has signed a global distribution agreement with InkSmith to enhance its educational product range and drive cross curriculum learning.

The Climate Action Kit’s project-based learning experiences are designed to teach students how to apply technology to solve real world problems through the lens of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). Every project provides a unique hands-on opportunity for cross-curricular learning, with students encouraged to work collaboratively in groups or independently, in the classroom or remotely. Early to senior level students will develop coding and design skills through a variety of experiential learning challenges to design and prototype solutions using the BBC micro:bit. 

Now Made in Canada, InkSmith’s Climate Action Kit helps students take on climate change issues through challenge based learning. The kit introduces students to a variety of climate issues pertaining to SDG15: Life on Land. The projects allows students to explore topics such as deforestation and fertilization run-offs while challenging them to design their own solutions, such as automated tree planters or automated watering systems for vertical or indoor farming. Each of the following curriculum-aligned projects promote critical thinking and problem-solving while learning about environmental issues associated with advanced agriculture, deforestation, carbon farming, insect farming, and plants and pollinators.

The Climate Action Kit, now available from Farnell, includes: 

• All motors, sensors and accessories required to tackle a number of different Climate Action projects
• Teaching resources and curriculum for five project-based lessons (Deforestation, Plants and Pollinators, Insect Farming, Carbon Farming and Advanced Agriculture) 
• COVID ready online curriculum course packs designed by InkSmith’s inhouse education experts to be compatible with remote, in-class, and hybrid learning environments.
• One Climate Action Breakout Board to connect a BBC micro:bit
• An accompanying Teacher’s Guide with easy to follow instructions 

The Climate Action Kit requires the use of a BBC micro:bit which is available separately.

Lee Turner, Global Head of Semiconductors and SBC at Farnell, says: “The Climate Action Kit is the ultimate tool for modern educators wanting to stimulate inquiry-based learning and inspire students to solve real world problems using technology. Technology is our greatest asset to ensure our young leaders of tomorrow have the skills and capability to overcome major global issues such as poverty, climate change and societal justice. Farnell’s market leading distribution network will dramatically expand the global reach of InkSmith's immersive, hands-on learning experiences and ensure educators can provide creative cross curriculum learning opportunities to students at every level.” 

Jeremy Hedges, CEO and Founder at InkSmith, says: “Our global distribution partnership with Farnell means that educators around the world will have access to our Climate Action Kit and the valuable digital, critical thinking and design thinking learning opportunities that it enables. It’s important to us that while we empower the next generation of makers, coders, and problem solvers that we do so as equitably as possible - regardless of socioeconomic and now geographic limitations. The UN Global Goals are a key driver behind why we do what we do, and this partnership helps further that mission”.

Farnell has worked with multiple educational organisations and governments to support strategic rollouts of STEM learning solutions into the classroom, and stocks a broad range of education devices that can be supplied in classes, schools and multiple-school quantities. Farnell can also offer support with provision and bundling of equipment for bespoke large-scale programmes similar to the Super:bit programme in Norway.

InkSmith’s Climate Action Kit is available from Farnell in EMEA and element14 in APAC.

Farnell, an Avnet Company and global distributor of electronic components, products and solutions, has signed a global franchise with XinaBox to broaden its market leading range of educational devices and kits. The XinaBox range provides a low-cost entry into the Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML) and automation and helps educators combine Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) learning with the experience of physical computing for students from a young age. Although targeted at education, XinaBox also provides solutions to easily scale beta testing for prototyping new applications.

XinaBox is widely used in secondary schools and colleges across the world due to its ease of use, and suitability for first-time users right through to more advanced secondary students and makers. The XinaBox kits include a selection of xChips, designed to fast track a user’s understanding of the IoT. Specialist knowledge of soldering or hardware components is not required as xChips are simply clipped together without wires, soldering or breadboards, meaning experiments can be setup quickly.

The range of over 80 modular hardware xChips includes cores/CPUs, sensors, power, communication, output and storage. Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and LoRaWAN cores have been designed to make it easy to connect projects to the IoT, and other components such as the BBC micro:bit and Raspberry Pi can be easily integrated to supercharge projects. xChips can operate with pre-compiled code or can be programmed from scratch using leading platforms such as MakeCode, Arduino and Python.

The range of XinaBox kits now available from Farnell include:

• XK01 STEM Starter Kit: Suitable for secondary school classrooms, the XK01 STEM Starter Kit enables students to build a simple project and connect to an IoT platform, using the quick start guide. The kit features a Wi-Fi Core, xChip (ESP8266) and includes sensors for temperature, humidity, and pressure, UV index, a mini-OLED display, a spacer chip and connectors. The starter kit can be used to collect and investigate the relationship between data sets such as temperature and atmospheric pressure, temperature and light, temperature and humidity, and visible light and ultraviolet light.
• XK05 micro:bit IoT Kit: An ideal entry-level product, the XK05 IoT kit for micro:bit is designed to introduce young people to IoT technology. The kit enables the analysis of large data sets in the classroom with no previous experience required. Users can learn how to connect the micro:bit to the cloud and build a smart IoT device with the coding extension, MakeCode.

Professional users and makers can also use XinaBox to progress their ideas to prototypes much faster, rapidly improving time to market whilst reducing cost of prototyping and facilitating scaled beta testing:

• XK12 IoT Starter Kit: Powered by Zerynth, the XK12 IoT Starter Kit combines modular electronics with an ecosystem of software tools in Python. The kit contains everything required to build a smart IoT edge device that collects environmental data. An actuator can also be attached to create automation projects such as automated electric gates, garage doors or fans.

Lee Turner, Global Head of Semiconductors and SBC at Farnell, said: “Easy to use tools are key to supporting teachers as they help students develop the computational thinking and complex problem-solving skills needed for a career in a digital economy. XinaBox provides schools and colleges with accessible tools to introduce STEM and IoT while providing inspiration for hands-on learning in the classroom, enabling students to learn about new technologies in a highly creative and collaborative way. For more advanced students, and even professional engineers, XinaBox provides new options to scale beta testing and reduce time to market through its simple, modular, non-solder structure.”

Farnell has worked with multiple educational organisations and governments to support strategic rollouts of STEM learning solutions into the classroom, and stocks a broad range of education devices that can be supplied in classes, schools and multiple-school quantities. Farnell can also offer support with provision and bundling of equipment for bespoke large-scale programmes similar to the Super:bit programme in Norway.

The complete XinaBox range is available from Farnell in EMEA, Newark in North America and element14 in APAC.

Onecall, the dedicated education business from Farnell and CPC, has been awarded a new two-year contract, with the option to extend for a further year, by North Western Universities Purchasing Consortium Ltd. (NWUPC). The contract award confirms the Approved Supplier Status for Onecall to supply Test and Measurement (T&M) equipment, tools and fixings and electronic components, including development boards and kits, to universities and associated parties in the United Kingdom.

NWUPC provides a structure to allow higher education institutions to secure the best value for money when procuring a wide range of goods and services.

The contract commenced on 1^st January 2020 to align with the new academic term. All products will be supplied through Onecall which offers educational establishments the largest range of products, extensive supplier support and technical expertise. A comprehensive discount structure is also available on all products covered by the new contract as Onecall continues its commitment to support educational institutions and the young engineers they teach.

Onecall is the first-choice electronics supplier for universities and educational establishments, providing multi-channel support including in person, over the phone and online, as well as value-added services such as a wide range of e-Procurement Solutions including I Buy, Punch-Out, e-Catalogues and Bill of Material (BOM) Uploads.

Onecall provides education establishments with:

• Access to the Farnell and CPC global portfolio of 950,000+ products, including market-leading Single-Board Computers such as Raspberry Pi, of which Farnell is the leading global supplier, and micro:bit, which is manufactured and distributed exclusively by Farnell, as well as other leading SBC brands such as Arduino, BeagleBoard and Particle.
• Support of the combined membership of more than a million engineers and makers on Avnet communities: element14 Community and Hackster.
• Price support for educational projects and laboratory refits which include dedicated support from technical experts.
• Best-in-class T&M technology solutions and brands with a dedicated T&M specialist and multi-vendor solutions as part of to the wider commitment from Farnell to provide a truly holistic, all-inclusive T&M offering which supports engineers at every level.

Mathew Thorpe, Regional Sales Director, UK/Ireland and Benelux for Farnell says: “We are delighted to be awarded the new framework agreement and chosen yet again by NWUPC as an approved supplier for education. The substantial investment made by Farnell over the last 18 months has enabled us to offer customers our best ever range of products, introduce key new suppliers such as Renesas, as well as improve the distribution service with a new $60m warehouse in Leeds. We can now offer Onecall customers even greater choice when equipping labs and updating equipment, supporting the engineers of tomorrow by giving them first-hand experience of market-leading products and enabling them to be productive and successful when entering the workforce.”

For more information about Farnell and CPC’s dedicated education services, please visit Onecall.

Farnell, the Development Distributor, has further enhanced its discount scheme for educational and research establishments, helping them maintain and improve their labs whilst managing their budgets. Up to 30% discounts are available from a growing supplier range which includes Tektronix, Keithley, Keysight Technologies, Fluke, Fluke Networks, Flir Systems, Aim TTi, Rohde & Schwarz, BK Precision, Sefram, Klein Tools, Pace and Weller.

Teaching facilities need to have the most up-to-date equipment to provide high-quality education and to enable students to progress seamlessly into the worlds of work and research. The discounts offered by Farnell can help provide this equipment to attract new students and support existing ones, even as educational and research establishments face budget pressures.

Free access to online resources, data sheets, applications notes, videos and webinars are available to all customers on Farnell’s website. Virtual and live demonstrations are available on many of the products, and orders under the educational scheme are available for same day despatch.

The Farnell educational discount scheme includes the following bestselling products which have been developed for education:

• Keithley 2450 Source Meter/Unit, 2400 Series: This 20W current and voltage source can simultaneously measure current, voltage and resistance with high speed and accuracy and offers a smart alternative to separate power supplies and DMMs. It can operate as a sensitive, electronic load to discharge a battery and execute test scripts to monitor battery drain and other test sequences.

• Keysight EDUX1002A - Digital Oscilloscope: The InfiniiVision 1000X-series 50MHz, 2+1 channel oscilloscope provides 50 MHz, one GSPS, 100 kpts, and seven ns data capture. This EDU model is especially good for students and beginners as it has been specifically engineered to provide quality, industry-proven technology and has educator resources included as standard.

• Tektronix TBS1072B-EDU Digital Oscilloscope: This 70Mhz 2 channel oscilloscope is specifically designed to meet the needs of today’s schools and universities, and includes an innovative new Courseware system, a 7-inch WVGA TFT colour display, up to 2GS/s sampling rate and dual channel frequency counters. With a 5 year standard warranty included, the TBS1072B-EDU is the industry’s best-value entry level oscilloscope for educational activities.

• Weller WE1010 Soldering Station Education Kit 230V: This kit includes everything required for successful soldering including power unit, WEP70 solder iron, PH70 safety rest, shear cutter and more. The WE1010 Soldering Station Kit 230V is designed with students in mind; the kit offers improved safety features as well as ergonomic handle and toolless tip change on the solder iron, and users benefit further from features such as standby mode and auto setback to save energy as well as password protection to preserve settings.

Many of the supplier discounts for education are available only from Farnell, which offers a wide range of suppliers and the most comprehensive range of discounts. In addition to the test equipment and tools covered by the programme, customers can buy test leads, test probes, test connectors and access local support from Farnell’s customer service centres which provide 24/5 technical support and calibration services.

James McGregor, Global Head of Test and Tools for Farnell says: “We hope that our education discount programme can support education establishments at a time when budgets are tighter than ever. This programme provides significant discounts on outstanding products all year round and will ensure labs are equipped with the most up to date equipment even on the tightest budgets.”

The Farnell educational discount scheme is available online from Farnell in EMEA.

Farnell, the Development Distributor, the exclusive manufacturer and distributor of the BBC micro:bit, is working with governments, re-sellers and strategic partnerships to support product-led educational initiatives globally. Programmes supported by Farnell aim to create fun and interactive learning environments for students to develop an understanding of electronics at a young age, and build a pathway into a range of engineering and technology-driven careers.

The micro:bit has experienced significant success since its launch through a programme led by the BBC in the UK in 2016. Since this date, Farnell has shipped over 2.5m micro:bit boards globally, supporting programmes as far flung as Denmark, Canada and Singapore. Sales of this popular coding device almost doubled in the last 12 months, over the previous period, with more than half of sales supporting broad educational programmes.

The latest programme to be supported by Farnell is being rolled out in Norway. Entitled “super:bit”, this project is a collaboration between the national science centres, the organisation “Teach kids code” and national broadcaster NRK, in Norway. The national rollout provides a classroom kit of technology to each of the 2,400 secondary schools in Norway, over two years, starting in September 2019. The kits have an interactive smart city theme and pupils will learn how to use the micro:bit through applications such as planning traffic flow around green spaces by using sensors to control traffic lights. The kits, shipped by Farnell, include micro:bits, robots, and other electronic and non-electronic components.

Lee Turner, Global Head of Semiconductors and Single Board Computers at Farnell says, “We are committed to educating and inspiring future generations of engineers by making it easier to introduce children to the world of electronics in schools and code clubs. Programmes such as ‘super:bit’ in Norway enable teachers to teach basic electronics and computational thinking with easy access to products and educational resources. Farnell, as the exclusive manufacturer and distributor of the micro:bit, and global electronics distributor, is uniquely able to support programmes such as this.”

Gareth Stockdale CEO, Micro:bit Educational Foundation added, “Our mission to help children and teachers to take their first steps with technology and broaden participation with digital creativity continues to grow with large scale programmes in over 30 countries. We continue to work with Farnell to ensure that the BBC micro:bit is available all around the world and that these large projects are facilitated.”

To further support the rollout of micro:bit as a tool for STEM education in schools, Farnell is the sponsor for the very first annual gathering of the global micro:bit community of educators and partners on 4^th and 5^th October in Manchester. micro:bit Live 2019 aims to develop the micro:bit Educational Foundation's mission to inspire every child to create their best digital future and is an opportunity for all those involved in educational initiatives and partnerships, from government level to resellers and electronics engineers to share their experiences, tips and best practices to help achieve this mission.

micro:bit products, accessories and a range of free-to-download educational resources and lesson plans  are available online from Farnell in EMEA, Newark in North America and element14 in APAC.

Farnell, the Development Distributor, is now stocking Kitronik products; an exciting range of accessories for micro:bit, Arduino and Raspberry Pi, perfect for educators, students, makers and hobbyists.

Kitronik products encourage imagination and creativity when used in conjunction with the latest generation of open-source programmable computer boards. The kits and accessories enable interaction between programming and hardware, making them ideal for developing computational thinking skills in younger students. This new partnership with Kitronik enhances Farnell’s range of products for education and builds upon its position as the exclusive manufacturer and distributor of the BBC micro:bit, the largest manufacturer and distributor of Raspberry Pi boards and major stockist of Arduino boards.

Kitronik products can be used to support STEM education in classrooms and after school clubs and seek to engage and inspire students of all abilities to further their knowledge of electronics, coding and design. Farnell stocks everything required to get started in physical computing for both education establishments and independent coding clubs.

Kitronik products and accessories for the micro:bit in stock at Farnell include:

• The Inventors Kit  provides an introduction to programming and hardware interaction and contains everything required to carry out ten experiments with the micro:bit, using LEDs, motors, light sensors and capacitors. The kit includes an easy to follow tutorial book and no programming experience or soldering is required. Circuits can be completed in minutes.

• The MOVE mini buggy kit provides a fun introduction to robotics making a two-wheeled robot that is suitable for autonomous operation. It is perfect for remote control projects via Bluetooth applications or control using a second micro:bit. Five RGB individually addressable Zip™ LEDs are included which can be used as indicators, and a pen can be attached to the robot to draw shapes. Kitronik’s custom code blocks for the Servo:Lite motors are available to make the task of coding as quick and painless as possible.

• The Kitronik: GAME ZIP 64 is the ultimate retro gaming accessory for the BBC micro:bit. It has been designed to be an all in one hand-held gaming platform, which includes a built-in, 64 (8x8) individually addressable full colour Zip™ LED screen. It features on-board sound, four directional buttons, two fire buttons, haptic feedback, and breakout points so that shoulder buttons or I2C devices can be added. All of these features are fully programmable and breakout points are available to allow for the use of larger LED screens.

Courtney Kennedy, Technology Solutions Marketing Manager at Farnell says “The addition of Kitronik further broadens our existing wide range of open-source educational and STEM products. The Kitronik range provides educators with new and creative ways to inspire students to get involved in physical computing, providing easy access to devices that enable them to promote the development of key skills such as computational thinking.”

Farnell’s support for the development of the next generation of electronics engineers includes free resources, including lesson plans, project ideas and more, available on the Farnell website. Farnell has a broad range of products within its product range that promote learning about physical computing, an important way for children to develop computational thinking and team working skills.

The Kitronik products and accessories for micro:bit, Arduino and Raspberry Pi are available from Farnell in EMEA, Newark in North America and element14 in APAC.

Premier Farnell, the Development Distributor, has added a full collection of educational robotics kits to their product range, offering an engaging and accessible platform for teachers to incorporate physical computing into the classroom.

A variety of kits are available from innovative suppliers including BinaryBots™, Robotical, and Wonder Workshop, suitable for children at primary and secondary education level. Whether it’s physically constructing and customising the robots or using them straight out of the box, these kits teach children the fundamentals of coding by exposing them to sensor technology, motor control and wireless communication, as well as working with microcomputer platforms such as micro:bit, in fun and engaging ways.

The BinaryBots™ starter range, designed for ages 8+, includes easy-to-assemble ‘Cardboard2Code’ beginner products designed to introduce robotics using the micro:bit. Their next level line of ‘Planet Totem’ mechanical animals, for ages 11+, can be programmed to respond to a variety of real-world actions using a specially customised sensor board. These robots are designed to be built by students and teachers to enhance engagement and imaginations. BinaryBots’ full range also has comprehensive lesson plans mapped to the National Curriculum for computing and STEM (KS2 & KS3) available for schools.

Robotical’s flagship product MARTY, is a fully programmable, wi-fi enabled walking robot compatible with a wide range of microcomputers including micro:bit, Arduino and Raspberry Pi. Designed for children 8 years and older, MARTY can be used as a standalone educational tool or, as recommended, used in groups to help children develop essential team working skills alongside coding experience. Robotical also provide supporting materials that fit a broad curriculum of Computer Science, Design & Technology, IT and Engineering education for teaching beginners through to advanced university level.

Wonder Workshop’s Dash and Cue are robust, responsive robots that are ready to go, straight out of the box. With numerous capabilities made available using multiple built-in motors, sensors, LEDs and audio features, Dash and Cue interact with students, their environment, and each other to provide an encouraging and collaborative learning experience. Wonder Workshop have designed Dash (age 6+) and Cue (age 11+) to grow with their students. Meaningful curricular and educational programs are available to support students with the development of critical and creative thinking, collaboration and communication skills.

Jonathan Smith, Head of Education at Premier Farnell, says: “Connected devices are already beginning to radically reshape our world, so it’s more important than ever that we provide young people with the tools they need to thrive and develop in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.”

“Our new range of educational robotics products, developed by dedicated companies such as Binary Bots, Robotical and Wonder Workshop offer a new and interactive way for students to develop and improve their skills in the classroom. We continue to seek new relationships with education-focused suppliers that can help us promote robotics and physical computing as a cornerstone of a well-rounded modern education.”

To learn more about Premier Farnell’s full range of physical computing and education services, including teaching resources, project ideas and curriculums, visit https://uk.farnell.com/education-services

You can also view a wide range of projects and product road tests at our online community: https://www.element14.com/community/community/stem-academy

element14.com, the online community for engineers, has donated 250 micro:bit devices to support coding in the classroom, providing teachers around the world with the tools they need to facilitate a range of inspiring education projects.

‘The Great micro:bit Education Giveaway’ was launched in August 2018 and invited STEM educators to submit a proposal for a project they would like to run using micro:bit. 25 applicants were selected to receive a micro:bit club pack – each containing ten devices and associated accessories including batteries, adapters and USB cables.

The successful applicants were asked to document the progress of their projects on the element14 Community. Highlights included maker sessions for young and vulnerable children in New Brunswick, Canada, in a series of projects for G:RL Power Code Fest Americas - an event supporting young female coders in Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru – and the development of an interactive mental arithmetic challenge by a group of students in Pennsylvania, USA.

Three projects which were deemed to have demonstrated exceptional merit and creativity were selected for special recognition and a micro:bit prize package to help further their development. Educators Robert Ancell from New Zealand, Andrei Beloiu from Romania and Wil Lindsay from the USA were announced as the winners.

Dianne Kibbey, Global Head of Community and Social Media for the element14 Community and Premier Farnell, said: “As a key distributing partner for the micro:bit foundation, promoting coding and digital literacy in education is one of our highest priorities. The overwhelming global response to our Great Education Giveaway is a testament to the incredible things STEM teachers can accomplish with the right tools and support.”

Details of the Great micro:bit Education Challenge, including the winner blogs and project highlights, can be found here: https://www.element14.com/community/docs/DOC-91357/l/the-great-microbit-education-giveaway-winners

To register to become a member of the element14 Community, visit http://www.element14.com/

Premier Farnell, the Development Distributor, has confirmed a distribution agreement with Leeds-based educational robotics company BinaryBots to distribute their range of STEM products through Farnell element14 in Europe, Newark element14 in the Americas and element14 in Asia Pacific.

BinaryBots specialise in developing educational robot starter kits to help teachers make Physical Computing and core STEM principles simple and fun for children aged eight years old and above. With a strong focus on accessibility and affordability, their products include a ‘Cardboard2Code’ beginners range, and the more advanced Planet Totem range of mechanical animals which can be programmed to respond to a variety of real world actions.

Everything required to develop a BinaryBots robotics kit comes in the box, including a BBC micro:bit, step-by-step instructions and online videos, and lesson plans which are mapped to the UK National Curriculum for Computing and STEM (KS2 & KS3). BinaryBots are also compatible with the Raspberry Pi.

Chris Burgess CEO and Founder of BinaryBots states: "Our crusade as a business is to give every child in the world the opportunity to learn coding and robotics, being joined on that crusade by Premier Farnell is fantastic and I look forward to seeing what we can achieve together with STEM robotics."

Hari Kalyanaraman, Global Head of Single-Board Computing and Emerging Business for Premier Farnell and Farnell element14 added: “Physical computing and digital literacy are playing an increasingly key role in preparing young people for the modern world. BinaryBots’ innovative range of robotics kits provide new ways for children to engage with STEM, and add to Premier Farnell’s extensive range of educational products. As a Leeds-based business we’re delighted to be working with them and bringing their products to a global market.”

BinaryBots are available from Farnell element14 in Europe, Newark element14 in the Americas and element14 in Asia Pacific.

Premier Farnell, the Development Distributor, has launched a new area on its transactional website to help educators and education resellers identify what they need to teach coding and physical computing in schools and universities.

According to the Future of Jobs report by the World Economic Forum¹, developments in previously disjointed fields such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, robotics, nanotechnology, 3D printing and genetics and biotechnology are building on and amplifying one another to drive a change in the skills demanded from school leavers. There is growing demand for skills such as creativity, critical thinking and complex problem solving to address future changes in job types, as an estimated 65% of children entering primary school today will ultimately end up working in completely new job types that don’t exist today.

Jonathan Smith, Head of Education at Premier Farnell, says: “A whole generation of students will be leaving education to join a workforce where computational thinking skills such as critical thinking and complex problem solving will be valued more highly than ever. Preparing students for this change is about more than creating a generation of coders. Premier Farnell’s aim is to put the right educational devices into the hands of educators to help them develop these new skills in the classroom, with children as young as 5 years of age at pre-school, right through to professional development. Without computational thinkers it will become increasingly difficult to produce electronics engineers who have the skills required to meet the changing needs of the digitally-driven marketplace.”

Physical computing is a key piece of the computational thinking puzzle as the process of making something real, especially in teams, is seen to produce staggering results, not only in terms of effective learning but also in skills development. Applying this with physical computing platforms such as the Raspberry Pi and BBC micro:bit, accessories or other devices that enable students to learn about, for example, robotics, provides students with a way to develop these competencies in a highly creative and collaborative way.

To make it easier for educators as they identify which technology platform will be right for their students, Premier Farnell’s new education pages group available platforms, specialist accessories, and kits for education, by age and ability. Also available are links to education resources that help apply the technology in the classroom, from lesson plans and project guides/ideas and access to a community of engineers and educators on the element14 community STEM academy. This new resource provides a helping hand to educators whether they are taking their first steps in teaching using technology or are experts in the field, focussed on computer studies or across the curriculum, all over the world.

Ralf Buehler, SVP of Sales and Marketing for Premier Farnell added:  “As the Development Distributor, Premier Farnell is committed to helping develop the next generation of engineers, yet the pace of change in the industry is exceptional, and we know that educators are not always equipped with the resources they need to be able to make decisions on technology and equipment to use in the classroom. These new pages apply our industry experience to help them decide upon the right tools to inspire students of different ages. In addition, our element14 community STEM academy provides educators with a place to connect with others, share successes, and seeks solutions to the challenges they face.”

A range of technology platforms and resources for education can be accessed at: https://uk.farnell.com/education-services

Farnell element14, the Development Distributor, is hosting a day for Raspberry Pi experts in Italy on the 25th October 2018. The event will take place at Istituto Tecnico Tecnologico Montani in Fermo and will focus on professional and industrial applications of the Raspberry Pi single-board computer and the Compute Module board, specifically designed for industrial applications.

Hosted in the historic Museo dell'Innovazione e della Tecnica Industriale (MITI) from ITT Montani, the event is organised with the support of the Raspberry PI Foundation and Tektronix, leader in the Test Measurement business.

Expert engineers from Farnell element14 customers will give presentations and demos of real design solutions based on Raspberry Pi in different sectors: 3P engineering, will showcase their Raspberry PI based solutions for health and industry, Aeridani, will introduce a demo board for general purpose and EST Engineering, will give an overview on their smart home solution for the kitchen.

The event will also include a presentation by the Raspberry Pi Foundation. There will be Raspberry Pi demos and accessories on display, and the opportunity to talk to experts about bespoke services from Farnell element14.

The day will end with a specific focus on solutions for education. ITT Montani will show their low-cost and easy to implement solution for the electronic registry. The school is dedicated to developing highly skilled students in electronics through innovative programme and scholarships. This year Farnell element14 partnered with ITT Montani supplying 30 Raspberry PI Kits to equip a laboratory as part of their electronics class. Thanks to the good connection with the local business, students are then employed by electronics companies in the area.

“As the Development Distributor we seek to support customers as they develop their products for market, whether that is providing the right products, expertise or opportunities for customers to learn from their collective experiences. This event will provide a forum for customers to share their experiences developing and designing professional solutions based on the Raspberry Pi.” says Daniel Dahan, Regional Sales Director for Southern Europe at Farnell element14: “Customers will be able to talk with experts about the opportunities, challenges and benefits of using Raspberry Pi, and complementary products, for professional solutions.”

To register to attend the event click here.

To find out more about ITT Montani visit their website http://www.istitutomontani.gov.it/nuovo/it/ http://www.museomiti.it/

Farnell element14, the Development Distributor, has begun to ship 65,000 micro:bit to schools in Denmark as part of an order from Boarding on behalf of the Danish Broadcasting Corporation. The three-year ‘ultra:bit’ programme, will use the micro:bit in the classroom to help transform Danish Year 4 students from passive technology consumers to digital pioneers.

Jonathan Smith, Head of Education at Premier Farnell and Farnell element14 said: “Programmes like this are essential if we are to break the cycle of ‘ready-made’ technology and prepare a generation of students for a working economy that will value skills such as computational thinking, problem solving and creativity more than ever before. Working with devices such as the micro:bit, an activity we describe as physical computing allows students to venture into the real world with complex problem solving based around technology, and takes them from being mere consumers of technology to become creative thinkers capable of developing brand new dynamic solutions.”

Supplied with support from the Danish Industry Foundation, Industriens Fond, in collaboration with the country’s Centre for Learning Materials, CFU Denmark, the micro:bits will be used to develop the students’ understanding of technology and stimulate their digital creativity. With an overarching theme of ‘Children, Creativity and Technology’, the programme includes a broad variety of TV productions targeting children, as well as teacher training, classroom resources, a series of roadshows and even a children’s drama based around the micro:bit.

Rob Rospedzihowski, Vice President of Sales at Farnell element14, EMEA, said:” As the Development Distributor, Farnell element14 is committed to helping develop the next generation of engineers and devices such as the micro:bit enable us to do this right from the start. We are working with the Micro:bit Educational Foundation and organisations globally to get micro:bit into the hands of more and more students. To date we have helped deploy around 2 million devices in education, in over 55 countries worldwide including larger programmes in the United Kingdom, Iceland, Croatia, Canada and Singapore. We believe equipping students and teachers with the right tools will create new opportunities for a whole generation as they enter the workforce and programmes such as Ultra-bit in Denmark are leading the world in preparing students as the digital economy gather pace.”

The project is also supported by other organisations, including the British Broadcasting Corporation, the Micro:bit Foundation, IT and Learning Board, Engineer the Future, Coding Pirates, DigiPippi, BUPL and Danish School Students.

Find out more about the micro:bit on the element14 community: https://www.element14.com/community/community/stem-academy/microbit

Farnell element14, the Development Distributor, has awarded the top prize in its University IoT Challenge to University of West London (UWL) academic. Dr Ying Zhang, senior lecturer in Computer Science at the University’s School of Computing and Engineering, devised ear defenders which can dampen background noise, while amplifying important sounds such as speech and alarms or sirens. Powered by the Internet of Things (IoT), the technology promises to protect workers’ hearing without compromising on safety.

Members of the element14 community, which has half a million engineer and maker members, voted on three finalists selected by Farnell element14 from all entries. Dr Zhang’s invention, with its twin benefits: amplifying significant sounds while simultaneously dampening noise which causes hearing loss, was chosen as winner through the online poll. The prize of £5,000 worth of parts and components to build the design, and a test and measurement bundle from Rhode and Schwarz for UWL to use in Internet of Things projects was awarded to Dr Zhang by Alison Knapp, CEM Account Manager for Farnell element14 and Phillip McCluskey, Sales Engineer, University Business Development for Rohde & Schwarz on Wednesday 22^nd August 2018.

On winning the contest, Dr Zhang said: “I was very happy to be shortlisted for the final, so to win the competition is fantastic. I hope this IoT enabled headset will be prototyped and ultimately help millions of workers who are work in noisy, industrial environments. Thankyou to the University of West London for empowering me to do this research.”

Professor Amir Alani, Head of the School of Computing and Engineering at the University of West London, added: ‘We believe this is a good achievement which is going to lead to more development and we believe Dr Zhang’s product can make a positive impact in the field. Receiving so many votes from the element14 community, which is made up of engineering professionals, demonstrates the strength of Dr Zhang’s project. At UWL, we value innovative research with practical applications and this design is a great example.’

Mathew Thorpe, Regional Sales Director for the UK and Ireland said: “We are committed to helping develop the next generation of engineers, and competitions like this enable us to work closely to support educators and academic staff involved in research as they develop their innovative ideas. Our element14 community provides considerable resources for students, educators and engineers - from educational support in our STEM academy, to training, courses and webinars to help members stay up the date with the latest technology and skills. This competition has already highlighted a great idea and we are excited to see the design come to life!”

As Dr Zhang develops the project he will update on his progress on the element14 community. To follow his journey please visit https://www.element14.com/iot-enabled-hearing-protection-device

Image caption, left to right:

Dr Yu-Chun Pan – Lecturer in Applied Project Management, UWL, Professor Amir Alani – Professor of Engineering, Executive Dean of School, UWL, Dr Ying Zhang – Senior Lecturer in Computer Science, UWL, Ms Alison Knapp – CEM Account Manager, Farnell element14, Mr Philip McCluskey – Sales Engineer, University Business Development, Rohde & Schwarz, Dr Nasser Matoorian – Head of Computing and Senior Lecturer in Computer Science, UWL

element14.com has launched a giveaway for educators to help get the popular BBC micro:bit coding device into the hands of more students and get teachers talking about how to use it in the classroom.

For many students and educators, the month of August signifies the approaching return to school, and shopping for the classroom. The element14 community is asking educators to register on the community and post their plan for how they would use the BBC micro:bit in their classroom, after school club, or wherever they might be trying to help others learn to code. Twenty educators will be selected to receive a BBC micro:bit Club, each containing 10 BBC micro:bit boards, battery adapters, batteries, and USB cables.

The twenty educators will then have 10 weeks to implement their plan and document it on the Community through a blog or vlog, including a lesson plan. On December 10^th, three educators will be selected to receive a prize pack of BBC micro:bit accessories and other items that will expand the potential of the BBC micro:bit board. The accessory pack will include the element14 Minode Kit, element14 Wear:it Kit, Kitronik Inventor's Kit, Kitronik Move mini Robot Kit and the Proto-Pic Micro:Pixel LED Expansion Board.

Dianne Kibbey, Head of the element14 community and social media for Premier Farnell said: “We want to get educators talking to us, and each other, about how they could use the BBC micro:bit – a coding device developed to help children of all skill levels explore their creative potential through coding. We know that funding for equipment to teach coding, as well as training for the teachers themselves, continues to be one of the greatest challenges for educators. We want to get more BBC micro:bit in the hands of students, whilst also providing educators with a place to share their ideas and tips. The element14 community was created for engineers, to help them develop their skills, stay in touch with the latest technologies and be inspired – the element14 STEM academy aims to provide the same support and inspiration for educators.”

Once registered on the element14 community educators will have access to news, reviews and projects for the BBC micro:bit, be able to participate in roadtests for the latest and greatest micro:bit accessories and gain access to the support of a community of over half a million engineers and educators.

Educators have until September 19^th 2018 to register and post their ideas on https://www.element14.com/community/docs/DOC-90468/l/the-great-microbit-education-giveaway

Newark element14, the Development Distributor, recently announced Duke University’s Department of Biomedical Engineering as the winner of its Dream Lab competition and awarded the department with over $20,000 worth of the latest electronic design tools. Sixty university teams responded to Newark element14’s Dream Lab competition by sharing a list of “must have” equipment that would help them adapt to changes in education and create a flexible workspace for students to develop their ideas and build prototypes.

University equipment is often outdated or borrowed from other departments, while the curriculum is moving away from traditional assignments toward a maker approach. As a result, universities identified a need for 3D printers, oscilloscopes, single board computers (SBCs) and development kits in their Dream Lab competition entries. For example, the ability to 3D print components to modify designs enables students to improve productivity and the universities to maximize grants and budgets. To build their ideal bench, universities noted the top 10 products and brands on their wish lists:

1. Ultimaker 3D printers
2. Flir Thermal imager
3. Tektronix MDO 3054 Oscilloscope
4. Keysight E36311A Power supply
5. Keithley DMM6500 Multimeter
6. Tektronix ADG1062 Function/waveform generator
7. Raspberry Pi and Arduino SBCs and Development Boards/Kits
8. Tektronix RSA 206B Spectrum Analyzer
9. Metcal CV5210 Soldering Station
10. TE Connectivity Crimp Tool

“We’re very grateful to receive such a wide array of equipment to further our research initiatives,” said Matt Brown, Duke University’s Senior Laboratory Administrator. “Some of it is right off our list of old favorites, and those pieces will be easing the burden of heavily used instruments already in our lab. Some of the equipment we’ve been dreaming of having for years, and some we’re dreaming up novel uses for. The equipment will take our creativity to the next level.”

“Universities told us that having a well-stocked, well equipped lab is important in attracting new students,” said Becky McMorrow, Head of Regional Marketing, Newark element14. “As the Development Distributor, we’re committed to helping universities foster the next generation of engineers. The Dream Lab competition is one way in which we support universities as they seek to attract new students and create new innovations.”

Newark element14 is dedicated to innovation and building the next generation of engineers. The Dream Lab competition encouraged colleges and universities to analyze the current state of their lab equipment and identify the top lab tools needed to attract and retain engineering students.

To learn more about Newark element14’s education initiatives, please visit: www.newark.com/education-services

Photo captions:

1. Randall Phillips (Value Added Services Manager, Newark element14), Drew McCormick (Regional Sales Manager, Newark element14), Matt Brown (Senior Laboratory Administrator, Duke), Mike Forsell (Outside Account Manager, Newark element14), Neil Davies (VP of Value Added Services, Newark element14)

2. Mike Forsell (Outside Account Manager, Newark element14), Matt Brown (Senior Laboratory Administrator, Duke), Dan Hill (President, Newark element14), Neil Davies (VP of Value Added Services, Newark element14)

3. Two students from Duke, Matt Brown (Senior Laboratory Administrator, Duke), Mike Forsell (Outside Account Manager, Newark element14)

4. Matt Brown (Senior Laboratory Administrator, Duke), Dan Hill (President, Newark element14)

5. (above) Mike Forsell (Outside Account Manager, Newark element14), Matt Brown (Senior Laboratory Administrator, Duke), Dan Hill (President, Newark element14), Becky McMorrow (Head of Regional Marketing, Newark element14)

6. Matt Brown (Senior Laboratory Administrator, Duke)

Premier Farnell, the Development Distributor, is now shipping the TI Robotics System Learning Kit (TI-RSLK), an affordable robotics kit and classroom curriculum, which provides students with a deeper understanding of how electronic system designs work.

Today’s students need to graduate from university with an understanding of engineering concepts across multiple disciplines and products, equipping them for an increasingly complex world. Robotics provides educators with the opportunity to teach interdisciplinary subjects and gives students a foundational understanding of electrical and computer engineering. The TI-RSLK is specifically designed to be used within the university setting to teach students the background knowledge necessary to understand the engineering concepts behind designing, testing and building a functioning robotic system through a 20-module curriculum developed with Professor Jon Valvano from the University of Texas at Austin.

Using robotics to teach hands-on systems-level thinking increases attraction and retention of students studying engineering and provides educators with the opportunity to teach interdisciplinary subjects. Robotics familiarizes students with systems design using industry tools, design flows and first-hand understanding of real-world applications. Students gain problem-solving experience, learning through trial and fixing errors with debugging hardware and software – all while gaining confidence through this combined knowledge and experience.

The TI-RSLK Maze Edition, has more than 60 electronic and mechanical components, including the industry-leading SimpleLink™ MSP432P401R microcontroller (MCU) LaunchPad™ Development Kit. TI’s SimpleLink MCU platform is the broadest portfolio of connected ARM® MCUs in a single software development environment, delivering flexible hardware, software and tool options for Internet of Things (IoT) and robotics applications. The TI-RSLK is designed to teach embedded systems and applications, but is also fully customizable, allowing faculty to choose how they integrate the TI-RSLK material and in which classes they implement it.

The TI-RSLK Maze Edition kit comes in three options for purchase:

• The TI-RSLK Basic kit teaches the foundations of an electronic system, which includes the SimpleLink ™ MSP432P401R MCU LaunchPad™ Development Kit
• The TI-RSLK Advanced kit builds on the concepts and components found in the basic kit, adding wireless communication concepts with the SimpleLink Bluetooth® low energy CC2650 module BoosterPack™ plug-in module and SimpleLink Wi-Fi^® CC3120 wireless network processor BoosterPack plug-in module that enable the robot to be competition-ready against other TI-RSLK robots
• The TI-RSLK Upgrade kit can be added to the basic kit to create the advanced kit

The TI-RSLK kits can be purchased from Farnell element14 in Europe, Newark element14 in North America and element14 in APAC. Further information about the TI-RSLK can found at www.element14.com/rslk

Premier Farnell, the Development Distributor, is helping to create the next generation of digital engineers by providing kits and support to help youngsters to learn the fundamental skills of coding. The company offers one of the widest range of educational aids targeted at tomorrow’s coders and application developers including products such as Codebug, BBC micro:bit, Raspberry Pi and the newly launched Arduino CTC101 classroom kit.

“Digitally based industries across the globe face an ongoing skills shortage in coding. This has led to an increase in the development of educational programmes that provide children with access to coding skills through hands-on learning, helping tackle these challenges for the future”, says Peter Wenzel, Global Head of Software and Single Board Computing for Premier Farnell: “At Premier Farnell, the combination of our exclusively manufactured boards such as the BBC micro:bit and Codebug, and successful manufacturing partnerships with other suppliers including Raspberry Pi and BeagleBoard, mean that we can offer one of the most comprehensive ranges of educational boards on the market.”

“Physical computing provides real solutions for engaging the younger generation in technology, giving them the opportunity to design and create physical devices that they can use in their day to day lives, whilst learning important skills”, adds Jonathan Smith, Head of Education at Premier Farnell: “Problem solving and computational thinking are key skills that our children will need when they leave education. This is where physical computing, including learning to code with devices such as CodeBug and the BBC micro:bit, can help in the teaching process.”

Key products suitable for coding education at different ages are:

• The Codebug is a small coding device for students age 7+. Shaped like a ladybird, CodeBug provides a fun and engaging way to build interactive devices. The device incorporates 25 LED lights, 2 control buttons, and 6 ‘legs’ which can be used to connect croc-clips, banana plugs or even sewn to. Ideas to get started with the Codebug can be found on the element14 community at https://www.element14.com/community/docs/DOC-78413/l/10-codebug-projects-in-10-days BBC micro:bit was developed to teach students from age 11+. Measuring 4cm by 5cm, it is available in a range of colours and designed to be fun and easy to use. Similar to the Codebug, it can be coded with no prior knowledge of computing although has more extensive functionality such as motion detection, a built-in compass and Bluetooth technology to test young coders as they develop their skills, exposing them to technology which existing in the world around them. Ideas to get started with the BBC micro:bit can be found on the element14 community at https://www.element14.com/community/community/stem-academy/microbit/blog/2016/05/26/10-bbc-microbit-projects-in-ten-days.
• Premier Farnell has also recently launched several add-ons for the BBC micro:bit that help to build fun and support into learning to code. These include the mi:node, which is designed to teach youngsters the basics of IoT mechanics as interconnectivity becomes part of their everyday lives, and the MBIT-WEARIT- Development Kit, a versatile micro:bit enclosure specially designed to build mobile applications that can be used with a wrist strap, keyring or lanyard.
• Within Arduino’s wide range of education products stocked by Premier Farnell is the Arduino CTC101 classroom kit: a modular program aimed at teaching students, aged 13 to 17 years, the foundations of programming, electronics, and mechanics through a series of playful, well-documented projects and easy-to-assemble experiments.

“At Premier Farnell we’re passionate about supporting engineering and electronics in education”, continues Peter Wenzel:” We’re not alone though - the world’s leading technology companies such as Microsoft, Google and Samsung are also working to address an industry-wide challenge to develop more electronics engineers by creating content, courses and platforms built around the products we manufacture and supply. The range of boards and ancillary products available from Premier Farnell is backed up by guidance and support through online resources available from the STEM Academy and the widely used element14 Community which has over 500,000 members and is the largest forum of its kind in the engineering, student and maker community.”

Premier Farnell operates as Farnell element14 in Europe, Newark element14 in North America and element14 in Asia Pacific.

Farnell element14, the Development Distributor, is proud to launch its “University IoT Challenge” in partnership with Rohde & Schwarz, the supplier of innovative information and communications technology products for professional users. The aim of the competition is to introduce university students to the world of electronics. The competition challenges students to come up with creative ideas using £5,000 of products from Farnell element14 to create an IoT (Internet of Things) based product that would positively impact individuals who need assistance in their everyday lives.

Entrants will be asked to submit their ideas online at http://uk.farnell.com/university-iot-challenge, along with the bill of materials required to build a prototype. Potential ideas would include an IoT device to test water quality in a third world country or sensor system to monitor activity of elderly loved ones living alone.

Entrants taking part in this exciting challenge are encouraged to be as creative and informative as possible in their entry, whilst ensuring that their concept is realistic and could be developed into a prototype.

Farnell element14 will choose four finalists based on the merit and originality, which will then be put to a public vote on the element14 community.

Winners will receive:

• The bill of materials for the project/idea

• The balance of £5,000 to spend at uk.farnell.com

• A bundle of test and measurement products from Rhode & Schwarz® which includes 1 x RTC1000 Oscilloscope, 50 MHz, 2ch 8ch MSO and 1 x NGE102 Power supply

• Support from Farnell element14’s team to help you build and test your design

Mathew Thorpe, Regional Sales Director for UK and Ireland, Farnell element14, says: “At Farnell element14 we are committed helping students on their journey of learning from education to maker to a professional engineer. In education, we provide guidance and support through online resources available from the STEM Academy and our widely used element14 Community which has over 500,000 members. This competition recognises the strong engineering heritage we have in the UK, and the importance of investing in education to ensure that this continues. We have a long history of supporting our customers’ development, design and pre-production requirements and this competition will help make a great idea, that might not otherwise be developed, to become a real project”.

Entry to this competition closes on Friday 4th May. Students and educators looking to enter the competition can find more information and read full Terms and Conditions at http://uk.farnell.com/university-iot-challenge.

Newark element14, the Development Distributor, is helping KidsCode Jeunesse roll out 100,000 micro:bits across Canada to support the country’s CanCode initiative. The micro:bits will be used by young people across Canada through a multi-partner agreement led by KidsCode Jeunesse, a bilingual national non-profit organization helping build long-term sustainable digital skill communities for Canadian children in every province and territory across the country.

Newark element14 is the sole distributer of micro:bits in Canada and has an exclusive contract with The Micro:bit Educational Foundation for the manufacture of micro:bits through its parent company Premier Farnell.

“As a father of four, the challenge of ensuring our younger generation is equipped with skills for the future is very close to home” said Dan Hill, President of Newark element14. “Newark element14 is committed to getting kids coding and helping to develop the next generation of engineers. Our partnership with The Micro:bit Educational Foundation is one way in which we do this. We have already seen this small coding device successfully integrated into large education programmes in the United Kingdom and Iceland, giving a whole generation within the country a head start in a global economy increasingly shaped by technology. It is fantastic to be partnering with KidsCode Jeunesse and helping the Government of Canada with this important initiative.”

Jonathan Smith, Head of Education at Premier Farnell added: “Physical computing provides real solutions for engaging the younger generation in technology, giving them the opportunity to design and create physical devices that they can use in their lives, whilst learning important skills. Problem solving and computational thinking are predicted to be key skills that children today will need when they leave education – physical computing including learning to code with the micro:bit can help teach these. Our relationship with The Micro:bit Educational Foundation is focused on putting as many micro:bits in kids hands as possible and we are delighted that the Government of Canada has chosen initiatives which use the micro:bit for their coding programme.”

The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage, together with David Lametti, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, announced local funding under the Government of Canada’s CanCode program last week. CanCode funds coding and other digital skills training for Canadian youth to prepare them for the jobs of the future. Through this programme the micro:bit will be used to teach coding to groups in the classroom, libraries and science centres.

Premier Farnell has provided micro:bits for many national and regional educational programmes including the United Kingdom, Iceland, Singapore and Croatia.

The micro:bit is available to buy from Newark element14 in North America, Farnell element14 in Europe and element14 in APAC.

The Micro:bit computers used during the workshops and given to participating middle school girls are donated by Newark element14, an electronics components distributor based in Chicago. The Micro:bit provides an easy-to-learn, hands-on introduction to tech, allowing beginners to quickly move beyond simple coding to explore the more creative opportunities that technology makes possible.

The workshopss are sponsored by TechGirlz, a nonprofit organization dedicated to decreasing the gender gap in technology jobs. The free TechGirlz workshops give girls the chance to explore different kinds of technology and learn about career options in various high tech fields.

“Newark element14 is pleased to work with TechGirlz and Microsoft to help girls get excited about technology and the careers that tech can offer them,” said Dianne Kibbey, Global Head of Community and Social Media at Newark element14, who will also help deliver classes at one of the workshops. “At Newark element14, we are passionate about inspiring our younger generation to consider a career in technology, and provide support to teachers looking to introduce technology projects into the classroom through our STEM academy on the element14 community. I have worked in tech for 25 years and I am personally excited about inspiring more girls to consider technology as a career option and introducing them to the huge opportunities available.”

The TechGirlz workshops will take place from 9am to noon on Oct. 21, 2017 at the Northbridge Microsoft Store at 520 Michigan Ave. in Chicago, and at the Shaumburg Microsoft Store at 5 Woodfield Mall, in Shaumburg. To register for the workshops, visit the TechGirlz website: http://bit.ly/2yqZvGf.

The Micro:bit is available for purchase in North America from www.newark.com.

element14, The Development Distributor, is now shipping the BBC Micro:bit to customers in India as they join The Micro:bit Education Foundation to officially launch the coding device in India at Didac, Bombay Exhibition Centre, 19-21 September 2017.

The BBC micro:bit was originally launched in the UK in March 2016 following an educational programme led by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), in partnership with a group of technology partners including ARM, Microsoft and element14. Since launch in the UK there have been 13 million visits to the microbit.org website, nearly 10 million code simulator runs and 2 million compiles to devices. The use of the micro:bit in education is also delivering a positive change in attitudes towards STEM*.

• 39% of girls said that they would definitely choose ICT/computing compared to 23% before
• 86% said it made computer science more interesting
• 88% said it showed that coding isn’t as hard as they thought

Measuring only 4cm by 5cm, the BBC micro:bit is a hands-on, easy-to-use introduction to the world of technology and is packed with features that provide endless possibilities for creativity. The device is supported by a website, www.microbit.org that features a range of resources and tutorials to help users take advantage of the micro:bit’s vast potential.

The micro:bit includes:

• 25 red LEDs – light them up, flash messages, create games, and invent digital stories

• Two programmable buttons – associate them with an action and interact with your projects

• On-board motion detector – just like a smartphone; the micro:bit can react to shakes, tilts, and even drops

• A built-in compass – sense which direction you’re facing and your movement in degrees

• Bluetooth Smart Technology and Low Energy – connect to the internet and the world around you, whether that’s other micro:bits, phones, cameras, or tablets to ‘code on the go’ or take selfies

• Five Input and Output rings – connect the micro:bit directly to other devices using crocodile clips or 4mm banana plugs, and send commands back and forth

Ralf Buehler, SVP Sales and Marketing for Premier Farnell, said: “The BBC micro:bit project was a milestone event in the world of STEM education and computer programming in the UK – and we are delighted to make it available to buy through element14 in India . As the Development Distributor, we are committed to helping develop the future of technology, whether that is supporting customers building products that can change the world for the better, or helping a teacher inspire their class to get into coding. The BBC micro:bit is a fantastic way to introduce students to coding – allowing hands-on application of technology in a way that can inspire our younger generations.”

The BBC micro:bit is available in a range of pack sizes from single BBC micro:bit and ‘micro:bit go’ packs which include a USB cable, battery holder & 2x AAA batteries along with a Quick Start Guide and four inspirational ideas to get started; to ‘Club’ packs of 10 and bulk boxes of 300.

The BBC micro:bit is available from element14. Visitors to Didac can find out more at the Micro:bit & CBIS stand, Stand C6c.

The BBC Micro:bit is available to buy from element14 in India, visit http://in.element14.com/bbc-microbit

Farnell element14, the Development Distributor, has introduced an ultimate education list for electronics educators – featuring popular and must-have products to equip the educators lab. The list includes hot items from the latest Raspberry Pi3 model B to 3D printers and software, essential for students looking to get hands on experience of real-word tools, and helping educators create the right environment within the right equipment and tools to give students the best start in their engineering career.

Highlights in the Farnell element14 ultimate education list are:

• Keysight N6705C Power Analyzer: This power analyser combines one to four DC power supplies, DMM, oscilloscope, arbitrary waveform generator, and data logger in one integrated instrument providing excellent value for money and ease of use, ideal for R&D testing and design validation.

• Robox 3D Printer: The Robox 3D printer uses a FFF dual nozzle head and suitable filament material feed to create 3D printer models of any #d model in .stl format turning the educator’s lab into a micro-manufacturing plant and opening endless opportunities for innovation.

• Autodesk Eagle: Autodesk Eagle is a powerful and easy to use PCB software which is free to students of qualifying educational institutions, giving them early access to professional tools that wild help them develop skills required in the workplace.

In additional to products and tools, Farnell element14 provides resources to support the education and training of the next-generation of engineers in colleges and universities, including resources for university staff. The element14 Community’s STEM Academy, is a dedicated area for anyone who wishes to explore learning concepts and classroom-based design projects within the electronics and digital space https://www.element14.com/community/community/stem-academy. The company also provides a range of calculators and tools through its education portal, http://uk.farnell.com/for-educators.

Peter Birks, President for Farnell element14 comments: “As the Development Distributor, Farnell element14 is passionate about supporting engineering and electronics in education. Supporting the education of engineers is vital to ensure that the next generation has the talent to drive our industry forward and it is our mission to provide the learning tools, resources and opportunities to help them achieve these goals.”

Other items in Farnell element14’s ultimate education list are:

• Raspberry Pi 3 Model B: Building upon the features of its predecessors with a new, faster processor, WiFi and Bluetooth Low Energy capabilities.

• GW Instek GPS-3030D Bench Power Supply : A 90W Linear DC Power Supply with digital display meter and varying power outputs. Light and compact design

• MULTICOMP MCK19 Connector Kit, Terminals & Splices: a 262-piece Terminal Kit for use with connectors including female quick disconnect, Ring, Spade, Butt splice, Closed-end terminals and crimp tool

• DI-LI 912-A - MICROSCOPE, STEREO-ZOOM, TRINO: A stereo zoom inspection Industrial Microscope, with airtight, anti-mould and anti-electrostatic ensuring peace of mind under any operating environment.

• Fluke 87V Multimeter: The Fluke 87V is one of the most popular industrial multimeters on the market, providing accurate voltage and frequency measurement on adjustable speed motor drives and other electrically noisy equipment.

• Mathworks MATLAB and Student Suite: MATLAB Student and MATLAB and Simulink Student Suite provide the same tools that professional engineers and scientists use every day making it easy to model, simulate and analyse projects.

• LabVIEW Home: A graphical programming platform used by millions of engineers and scientists for problem solving, data acquisition and analysis, instrument control, automated testing& validation, proto typing and more.

Educators can access discounts on certain education products by visiting http://uk.farnell.com/for-educators.

element14, The Development Distributor, is now shipping the BBC Micro:bit to customers in Japan as they join The Micro:bit Education Foundation to officially launch the coding device in Japan at the Tokyo Maker Faire, 4-5 August 2017.

The BBC micro:bit was originally launched in the UK in March 2016 following an educational programme led by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), in partnership with a group of technology partners including ARM, Microsoft and Premier Farnell. Since launch in the UK there have been 13 million visits to the microbit.org website, nearly 10 million code simulator runs and 2 million compiles to devices. The use of the micro:bit in education is also delivering a positive change in attitudes towards STEM*.

• 39% of girls said that they would definitely choose ICT/computing compared to 23% before
• 86% said it made computer science more interesting
• 88% said it showed that coding isn’t as hard as they thought

Measuring only 4cm by 5cm, the BBC micro:bit is a hands-on, easy-to-use introduction to the world of technology and is packed with features that provide endless possibilities for creativity. The device is supported by a website, www.microbit.org that features a range of resources and tutorials to help users take advantage of the micro:bit’s vast potential.

The micro:bit includes:

• 25 red LEDs – light them up, flash messages, create games, and invent digital stories

• Two programmable buttons – associate them with an action and interact with your projects

• On-board motion detector – just like a smartphone; the micro:bit can react to shakes, tilts, and even drops

• A built-in compass – sense which direction you’re facing and your movement in degrees

• Bluetooth Smart Technology and Low Energy – connect to the internet and the world around you, whether that’s other micro:bits, phones, cameras, or tablets to ‘code on the go’ or take selfies

• Five Input and Output rings – connect the micro:bit directly to other devices using crocodile clips or 4mm banana plugs, and send commands back and forth

Ralf Buehler, SVP Sales and Marketing for Premier Farnell, said: “The BBC micro:bit project was a milestone event in the world of STEM education and computer programming in the UK – and we are delighted to make it available to buy through element14 in Japan. As the Development Distributor, we are committed to helping develop the future of technology, whether that is supporting customers building products that can change the world for the better, or helping a teacher inspire their class to get into coding. The BBC micro:bit is a fantastic way to introduce students to coding – allowing hands-on application of technology in a way that can inspire our younger generations.”

The BBC micro:bit is available in a range of pack sizes from single BBC micro:bit and ‘micro:bit go’ packs which include a USB cable, battery holder & 2x AAA batteries along with a Quick Start Guide and four inspirational ideas to get started; to ‘Club’ packs of 10 and bulk boxes of 300.

The BBC micro:bit is available from element14. Visitors to the Tokyo Maker Faire can find out more at the Switch Science Booth (S-08-03 )

Newark element14, the Development Distributor, has introduced an ultimate education list for electronics educators – featuring popular and must-have products to equip the educators lab. The list includes hot items from the latest Raspberry Pi 3 model B to 3D printers and software, essential for students looking to get hands on experience of real-world tools, and helping educators create the right environment with the right equipment and tools to give students the best start in their engineering career.

Highlights in the Newark element14 ultimate education list are:

• Keysight N6705C Power Analyzer: This power analyser combines one to four DC power supplies, DMM, oscilloscope, arbitrary waveform generator, and data logger in one integrated instrument providing excellent value for money and ease of use, ideal for R&D testing and design validation.

• Robox 3D Printer: The Robox 3D printer uses a FFF dual nozzle head and suitable filament material feed to create 3D printer models of any #d model in .stl format turning the educator’s lab into a micro-manufacturing plant and opening endless opportunities for innovation.

• Autodesk Eagle: Autodesk Eagle is a powerful and easy to use PCB software which is free to students of qualifying educational institutions, giving them early access to professional tools that will help them develop skills required in the workplace.

In addition to products and tools, Newark element14 provides resources to support the education and training of the next-generation of engineers in colleges and universities, including resources for university staff. The element14 Community’s STEM Academy, is a dedicated area for anyone who wishes to explore learning concepts and classroom-based design projects within the electronics and digital space https://www.element14.com/community/community/stem-academy. The company also provides a range of calculators and tools through its education portal, http://www.newark.com/education .

Dan Hill, President for Newark element14 comments:

“As the Development Distributor, Newark element14 is passionate about supporting engineering and electronics in education. Supporting the education of engineers is vital to ensure that the next generation has the talent to drive our industry forward and it is our mission to provide the learning tools, resources and opportunities to help them achieve these goals.”

Other items in Newark’s ultimate education list are:

• Raspberry Pi 3 Model B: Building upon the features of its predecessors with a new, faster processor, WiFi and Bluetooth Low Energy capabilities.

• GW Instek GPS-3030D Bench Power Supply: A 90W Linear DC Power Supply with digital display meter and varying power outputs. Light and compact design.

• MULTICOMP MCK19 Connector Kit, Terminals & Splices: a 262-piece Terminal Kit for use with connectors including female quick disconnect, Ring, Spade, Butt splice, Closed-end terminals and crimp tool

• Aven SPZHT-135 Stereo Zoom Trinocular Microscope on Lightweight Stand with FOI: An ideal scope for a wide range of investigative/inspection applications employing standard 15x eyepieces to achieve 21x to 135x continuous zoom magnification.

• Fluke 87V Multimeter: The Fluke 87V is one of the most popular industrial multimeters on the market, providing accurate voltage and frequency measurement on adjustable speed motor drives and other electrically noisy equipment.

• Mathworks MATLAB and Student Suite: MATLAB Student and MATLAB and Simulink Student Suite provide the same tools that professional engineers and scientists use every day making it easy to model, simulate and analyse projects.

• LabVIEW Home: A graphical programming platform used by millions of engineers and scientists for problem solving, data acquisition and analysis, instrument control, automated testing& validation, proto typing and more.

Educators can access discounts on certain education products by visiting http://www.newark.com/education-services.

Premier Farnell, the Development Distributor, has made the BBC Micro:bit available to buy in North America through Newark element14 and MCM Electronics.

The micro:bit was originally launched in the UK in March 2016 following an educational programme led by the BBC, in partnership with a group of technology partners including ARM, Microsoft and Premier Farnell. The programme included the gifting of one million micro:bits to support digital learning in schools. Premier Farnell are the exclusive manufacturer of the micro:bit and distribute the device through Farnell element14, CPC and a network of resellers in Europe.

Measuring only 4cm by 5cm, the micro:bit is a hands-on, easy-to-use introduction to the world of technology and is packed with features that provide endless possibilities for creativity. The device is supported by a website, www.microbit.org that features a range of resources and tutorials to help users take advantage of the micro:bit’s vast potential.

The micro:bit includes:

• 25 red LEDs – light them up, flash messages, create games, and invent digital stories

• Two programmable buttons – associate them with an action and interact with your projects

• On-board motion detector – just like a smartphone; the micro:bit can react to shakes, tilts, and even drops

• A built-in compass – sense which direction you’re facing and your movement in degrees

• Bluetooth Smart Technology and Low Energy – connect to the internet and the world around you, whether that’s other micro:bits, phones, cameras, or tablets to ‘code on the go’ or take selfies

• Five Input and Output rings – connect the micro:bit directly to other devices using crocodile clips or 4mm banana plugs, and send commands back and forth

Ralf Buehler, SVP Sales and Marketing for Premier Farnell, said:  “The BBC micro:bit project was a milestone event in the world of STEM education and computer programming in the UK – and we are delighted to make it available to buy through Newark element14 and MCM electronics. As the Development Distributor, we are committed to helping develop the future of technology, whether that is supporting customers building products that can change the world for the better, or helping a teacher inspire their class to get into coding. The micro:bit is a fantastic way to introduce students to coding – allowing hands-on application of technology in a way that can inspire our younger generations.”

Hal Speed, Head of North America for the Micro:bit Educational Foundation said: "Premier Farnell is one of the world's leading manufacturers and distributors of single-board computers, and we're delighted that the micro:bit is now available for sale in the U.S. and Canada. Premier Farnell is a vital partner to make the micro:bit available to schools, clubs and families across North America so that every student has the opportunity to learn the foundational skills of computer science in elementary and middle school."

The micro:bit is available in a range of pack sizes from single micro:bit and ‘micro:bit go’ packs which include a USB cable, battery holder & 2x AAA batteries along with a Quick Start Guide and four inspirational ideas to get started; to ‘Club’ packs of 10 and bulk boxes of 300.

The micro:bit will be available to demo at ISTE in San Antonio, on June 25-28, 2017 – visit stand 3241.

element14.com and Panasonic Automotive & Industrial Systems Europe, together with a number of engineering schools from the UK and Germany, have launched a research project looking at innovative infrared people detection software. Using the Panasonic Grid-EYE Infrared Array Sensor, participants will be invited to document the progress of their projects on the element14 Community.

On completion of the projects, Panasonic and element14.com will select the entry that they consider demonstrates the highest degree of originality, innovation and technical merit. The faculty responsible for this project will be awarded a budget to spend on selected Panasonic components and equipment.

Dianne Kibbey, Global Head of Community and Social Media, element14 said:

“At element14.com, our online Community is the industry standard for electronics collaboration. We are delighted to be working with Panasonic on this initiative, which reflects our long history of facilitating innovative research projects through our STEM Academy, our regular Design Challenges and our membership of over 480,000 engineers, makers and educators. We’re excited to discover what the participating students come up with over the coming months, and we look forward to showcasing the results of their hard work on the element14 Community.”

Mubeen Abbas, Product Manager, Panasonic explains

"Panasonic has joined element14.com in this project in order to reduce barriers to university-industry research partnerships. Innovation happens where ideas and experiences collide – where different branches of knowledge interact and where people with entrepreneurial skills work side by side with those who have pioneering knowledge. Cooperation between universities and industry is therefore central to driving innovation. With the explosive rise of Internet of Things (IoT) applications in a fast-changing world, we understand that working hand in hand with universities is more important than ever before.”

For more information about the project visit https://www.element14.com/community/community/stem-academy/panasonic

Notes to Editors:

About Panasonic Automotive and Industrial Systems Europe

Panasonic Automotive and Industrial Systems Europe (PAISEU) is a company that provides unparalleled expertise to leading car manufacturers, industrial customers and OEMs. It researches, develops, manufactures and supplies key electronic components, devices and modules up to complete solutions across a broad range of industries; and provides production equipment which builds the manufacturing lines of global corporations.

Globally, Panasonic's Automotive and Industrial Systems company is responsible for over one third of Panasonic’s overall revenue.

For further product information, please visit: http://eu.industrial.panasonic.com/

Farnell element14, the Development Distributor, has made the BBC Micro:bit available for sale across Europe. The BBC micro:bit is a hands-on, easy-to-use introduction to the world of technology and is packed with features that provide endless possibilities for creativity. The device is supported by a website, www.microbit.org that features a range of resources and tutorials to help users take advantage of the BBC micro:bit’s vast potential.

In response to an unprecedented demand following the gifting of one million BBC micro:bits to schools across the UK, Farnell element14 has broadened availability of the BBC micro:bit to resellers across Europe. The BBC Micro:bit is now available to buy in Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and Spain.

To find a reseller and learn more about the BBC Micro:bit visit the element14 community.

Farnell element14, The Development Distributor, is today launching its ‘Win a Lab Makeover’ competition for education organisations in the UK to win the opportunity to have their teaching space refurbished.

Schools, universities and other education charities are being invited to submit their establishment to be considered for a lab makeover worth up to £3,500. Farnell element14 has also partnered with Keysight to support the competition by giving away five InfiniVision 1000 X-Series Oscilloscopes worth over £600 each to the winning organisation to be used in their newly refurbished lab space.

Farnell element14 has launched the initiative as it recognises that the right environment and equipment is vital to give students the tools and support they need make the right start in their engineering careers.

As the Development Distributor, Farnell element14 works with leading brands and start-ups to develop new products for market, sponsors ‘startupbootcamp IoT’, an innovation accelerator, and provides a forum for engineers to share ideas and projects through its leading element14 Community.

Peter Birks, European Business President, Farnell element14, said: 

“At Farnell element14 we are committed to introducing young people into the world of coding and helping them on their learning journey from education to maker to professional engineer. We do this in so many ways – right from manufacturing coding devices that spark an interest in coding from a young age, to supporting next steps as an official manufacturer of two of the most popular maker boards in the world, Raspberry Pi and BeagleBone Black.

“In education, we provide guidance and support through online resources available from the STEM Academy and our widely used element14 Community which has over 440,000 members. Right here in the UK, we work with Leeds Beckett University, providing access to our lab facilities for project work as well as an accredited module for their Electronics degree course. This competition recognises the strong engineering heritage we have the in UK, and the importance of investing in education to ensure that this continues.”

Organisations can submit their entries at onecall.farnell.com/lp-win-a-lab-makeover. The closing date for entries is 18^th April and four finalists will be selected to go head to head in a public vote.

onecall presents the higher education sector with a ‘one-stop-shop’ for Farnell element14 and CPC product ranges. Providing efficient access to 560,000 products in stock for next day delivery, 195,000 products from new extended ranges, committed sales and support teams and a dedicated onecall web site providing detailed technical libraries and rapid search facilities. In addition, onecall’s new online purchasing management system, iBuy, provides complete cost control, reduced administration time and total visibility of spend for users enabling further efficiencies to be achieved.

onecall’s proven track record in delivering a market leading service that meets the needs of procurement professionals is underpinned by a focus on the customer and their changing needs, working in partnership with NUWPEC.

onecall was awarded the framework agreement for all four lots of the tender, reference MAI 3104 NW for the Supply of Electronic Components and Associated Products, Service Kits, Tools, Fixings, Test & Measurement Equipment and Batteries:

Lot 1 - Supply and Delivery of Electronic Components, Associated Products & Service Kits

Lot 2 – Supply and Delivery of Tools & Fixings

Lot 3 – Supply and Delivery of Test & Measurement Equipment

Lot 4 – Supply and Delivery of Batteries

This success means that onecall is entering its 14th year working with NUWPEC.

NUWPEC (National Universities’ Working Party on Electronic Components) awarded a top supplier rating to onecall for pricing, technical support via its new Live Technical Chat service and its innovative approach to Corporate Social Responsibility.

Notes to Editors

onecall was formed in 1999 to service the distribution needs of universities and research councils, incorporating the services of two Premier Farnell operations, Farnell element14 and CPC.

The BBC micro:bit, a pocket-sized programmable device that can be coded and controlled to bring ideas, games, and projects to life, is being made available to buy in the UK by element14, manufacturing partner for the BBC micro:bit project. The widespread availability follows the gifting of the BBC micro:bit to up to one million school children in Year 7 (or equivalent) across the UK, to inspire them to get creative with coding, programming and digital technology.

The BBC micro:bit can be pre-ordered from element14, the Microsoft Store, Technology Will Save Us, Kitronic and Sciencescope and other resellers. Prices range from £12.99 for a single BBC micro:bit; £14.99 for the starter kit ‘BBC micro:bit Go’, which includes a BBC micro:bit, mini USB, battery pack and four project ideas to get users started; and £140.00 for a ‘BBC micro:bit Club’ pack, which includes 10 devices and everything needed to get a coding club started.

The BBC micro:bits will ship in July so children and parents can take advantage of the summer holidays to begin their journey into coding.

The BBC and partners launched the BBC micro:bit in March 2016, aiming to inspire a new generation of digital pioneers, and building on the ground-breaking role of the BBC Micro, which helped introduce the nation to computing in the 1980s.

Measuring only 4cm by 5cm, and available in four colours, the BBC micro:bit has been designed to be a fun and easy-to-use introduction to the world of technology and is packed with features that provide endless possibilities for creativity:

• 25 red LEDs – light them up, flash messages, create games, and invent digital stories

• Two programmable buttons – associate them with an action and interact with your projects

• On-board motion detector – just like a smartphone; the BBC micro:bit can react to shakes, tilts, and even drops

• A built-in compass – sense which direction you’re facing and your movement in degrees

• Bluetooth Smart Technology and Low Energy – connect to the internet and the world around you, whether that’s other BBC micro:bits, phones, cameras, or tablets to ‘code on the go’ or take selfies

• Five Input and Output rings – connect the BBC micro:bit directly to other devices using crocodile clips or 4mm banana plugs, and send commands back and forth

The device is supported by a website, www.microbit.co.uk, that features a range of resources and tutorials to help teachers, parents and students take advantage of the BBC micro:bit’s vast potential. The BBC micro:bit can also be coded direct from your smartphone, with apps available for Android and iOS designed by Samsung and ScienceScope respectively.

The BBC micro:bit can be used in conjunction with other single board computers to increase potential applications and expand opportunities, for example utilising the bluetooth technology within the BBC micro:bit to create a tiny, handheld remote control for games or vehicles built on your Raspberry Pi, Beaglebone Black or Arduino board.

The element14 community provides additional support, including projects for the BBC micro:bit, in a community forum where you can ask questions and seek advice from its 400,000 engineer members. Find out more by visiting www.element14.com/microbit.

Further media assets can be found here

http://releasd.com/90d8