BBC’s micro:bit project open-sourced today!¶
This was originally posted on blogger here.
As you may recall, there have been a couple of previous posts to this blog about the BBC’s micro:bit project (also see PSF newsblog).
The micro:bit is a small, stripped-down, wearable computer (similar to a _Raspberry Pi_) and based on an nRF51 chip. The educational project, part of a larger UK program called “_Make it Digital,_” is designed to inspire children to become digital creators by giving away 1 million micro:bits to all 11 year- old UK schoolchildren this spring.
Today I heard some exciting news about the project from our good friend, Nicholas Tollervey, which I’m happy to pass along here.
According to Nicholas:
> From the beginning the BBC have said that Python would be one of the > possible languages that the device can be programmed in. The PSF is one of > around twenty organisations in the project partnership. Since it’s a > microcontroller, and the aim is to run Python… well, there’s a pretty > obvious answer when trying to combine those two things.
> We’re incredibly pleased to announce that MicroPython runs on the BBC’s > micro:bit. Furthermore, all the work done so far is being open-sourced today > and the repository can be found here: > <https://github.com/bbcmicrobit/micropython>
> [](https://github.com/bbcmicrobit/micropython)Right now only the code > related to the MicroPython port is released. When the device is delivered, > all the resources needed to recreate the entire project are to be released > under an open license. The laudable intention is to provide an unencumbered > legacy so others can build upon and adapt the work of the partnership that > has created this device.
> To read more details and learn the story of how MicroPython came to be on > the micro:bit, check out Nicholas Tollervey’s blog post found here: > <http://ntoll.org/article/story-micropython-on-microbit>
> Finally, there is much to be done. The project needs help from people with > skill and experience developing for such devices. Could you contribute > something to a project that will touch the lives of 1 million children and > leave an open legacy that anyone could re-use? If so then please read the > above-linked post and head on over to the code repository.
I hope that many of you will take Nicholas up on his request to contribute to this worthwhile project.
_I would love to hear from readers. Please send feedback, comments, or blog ideas to me at msushi@gnosis.cx._