:00:15. > :00:20.It's a microbit, and one million of you across the country
:00:21. > :00:23.are being given one for free by the BBC.
:00:24. > :00:24.Martin's been finding out more about these
:00:25. > :00:33.You can programme them to do what ever you want.
:00:34. > :00:51.You can put your name in it, a smiley face, what ever you want.
:00:52. > :00:54.These codeable computers include built in compasses and blue tooth
:00:55. > :00:59.You can connect it to other places and even telephones,
:01:00. > :01:02.robots, tablets and more, to get them doing all
:01:03. > :01:09.This is a microbit connected to a ping-pong bat and it tells
:01:10. > :01:11.you how many keep ups you can do with the ping-pong ball.
:01:12. > :01:15.Every time I take a step on that foot it adds another one onto it
:01:16. > :01:20.The microbit aims to be a fun and practical way to inspire
:01:21. > :01:23.you to get active and develop your skills in science,
:01:24. > :01:38.Maybe could even lead the way to a job in digital in the future.
:01:39. > :01:47.Joining me are Katie and her teacher, Peter. My microbits has my
:01:48. > :01:53.name across the front of it. How did you do it? First, you need a forever
:01:54. > :01:57.block. What is that? It runs of the code forever. Otherwise it would
:01:58. > :02:03.just say your name once and then stop. Then you want to write
:02:04. > :02:13.something, so you need a show string block and type in what you want to
:02:14. > :02:18.write. Which is Haley. Yes. Then press run. Amazing! And there it is,
:02:19. > :02:22.on the computer screen, and also on my badge. Brilliant! Peter, what
:02:23. > :02:25.else can you do with these microbits? The really cool thing
:02:26. > :02:30.about the microbit is that you can create objects that would have been
:02:31. > :02:34.in the physical world, you can turn it into music or a burglar alarm,
:02:35. > :02:38.and we have an example of something else you can do with it, we have a
:02:39. > :02:42.plant that is in desperate need of watering, and we know that because
:02:43. > :02:46.the microbits has a sad face him of because it is connected to the water
:02:47. > :02:51.sensor and it is reading the water sensor and knows that the plan needs
:02:52. > :02:58.watering so it is showing a sad face. If we water it, we get a
:02:59. > :03:03.smiley face. That is amazing! It really has a relation to things he
:03:04. > :03:08.can see and do. How is this technology useful for kids to learn
:03:09. > :03:11.about? The great thing about this is, all of the sensors and
:03:12. > :03:15.components of the computer are exposed and you can see everything
:03:16. > :03:19.going on, unlike your phone or your tablets, so it really allows the
:03:20. > :03:24.young people to see what is there and be able to code something that
:03:25. > :03:31.is of use to the environment, and maybe will inspire people like Katie
:03:32. > :03:36.to become programmers in the future and help build our digital economy.
:03:37. > :03:39.No pressure there, just help develop our digital economy! Thank you very
:03:40. > :03:43.much, guys. Absolutely brilliant. Next in our latest Newsround special
:03:44. > :03:46.we're setting one year 7 class a challenge to see how much
:03:47. > :03:48.technology is taking Some of them will be asked to go
:03:49. > :03:52.tech-free for three whole days! Here's how the class reacted
:03:53. > :04:08.when the groups were selected. Let's find out what group you are
:04:09. > :04:14.in. For three days, what do you think you will do instead? I do not
:04:15. > :04:20.know, probably just hide in my room. Think about the positives, maybe you
:04:21. > :04:24.could go out and play. No. It is the worst news ever, because every day
:04:25. > :04:29.when I get back from school, I am on my gadgets, so now I am just going
:04:30. > :04:32.to be bored. She is one unhappy lady, and she is not the only one
:04:33. > :04:42.who faces a tech than for the next three days. I will probably just sit
:04:43. > :04:46.in my room. The thought of no technology for three days is
:04:47. > :04:51.unbearable for this bunch. Here we go! And that is restricted to just
:04:52. > :04:57.two hours a day on their devices... Are not taking the news any better.
:04:58. > :05:04.I am going second. I'm going to miss out on group chats. I just chill
:05:05. > :05:08.out. The kids are facing a restriction on their technology,
:05:09. > :05:15.they might be judging the next three days, but for some... Unlimited
:05:16. > :05:18.technology! It is time to celebrate. How do you feel? X static!
:05:19. > :05:20.You won't want to miss that Newsround Special -
:05:21. > :05:26.You've been online to let us know if you think you're
:05:27. > :05:30.Joseph says he's definitely addicted - he loves it and can't
:05:31. > :05:34.Molly is in the middle - she uses it a lot in winter,
:05:35. > :05:38.but when the weather's good in summer she'd rather be outside.
:05:39. > :05:40.And Sophie says she's not addicted to tech because her Mum
:05:41. > :05:42.gives her time limits for using her gadgets.
:05:43. > :06:01.Here at 4:20pm. Don't forget our special on at 530 this evening. I do
:06:02. > :06:02.not know how I would cope without technology, do