Meagan's Workshops

Play, Code, Create: Physical Computing with Scratch & OctoStudio [entry level and advanced]

Move beyond the screen and bring coding into the physical world. This workshop aligns directly with the South African Coding & Robotics CAPS for Grades 4-6, focusing on the transition from virtual sprites to physical interaction. In the first half, we explore OctoStudio (from the MIT developers of Scratch), a mobile and Chromebook-based block coding environment that uses sensors (tilt, light, shake) to trigger animations and interactive games. In the second half, we dive into Scratch and Makey Makey, turning everyday objects into touch-sensitive "input devices." Participants will learn to teach core concepts like loops, variables, and conditionals through physical play. You will leave with a suite of project ideas applicable to any subject area that transform students from passive consumers into inventors who can "sense" the world and "act" through code.

Canva for Education: Work Smarter, Empower Student Voices 

Unlock the full potential of Canva with a practical, dual-focus approach. This 2.5-hour workshop first shows teachers how to work smarter: learn to differentiate lessons in seconds using AI, facilitate high-energy collaboration on interactive whiteboards, and provide purposeful, multimodal feedback that actually resonates with students. In the second half, we shift to student agency: move beyond basic posters to high-impact digital creation. You will learn to guide students as they build professional video essays, interactive micro-websites, data-rich infographics, and simple animations that bring complex concepts to life. Whether you want to reclaim your prep time or support more intentional student creation, you will leave with a ready-to-use "Classroom Launch Kit" and the confidence to transform your students into digital creators.

Exploring Micro:Bit - from Sensors to Classroom Solutions  [entry to intermediate]

Transform your classroom into a hub of innovation with the BBC micro:bit! This hands-on workshop, tailored for the South African educational context, bridges the gap between abstract code and tangible interaction. Participants will navigate "free-flowing stations" to master the micro:bit’s internal sensors—including temperature, light, and the V2 microphone—using the intuitive MakeCode editor. Moving beyond basic tutorials, you will apply the "Play, Think, Code, Create" framework to design meaningful, curriculum-aligned projects. We will explore activities that foster critical thinking and creativity, while addressing the practicalities of managing physical computing in local schools. Whether you are a beginner or a tech-savvy educator, you will leave with the confidence to empower your students as active creators with this fantastic tool.

Note: this workshop is tailored for beginner to intermediate, but any level of micro:bit proficiencies will be able to find some takeaways! This workshop was featured at the 2025 InnovateEDU conference in Johannesburg.

Micro:Bit Mastery - AI-Powered Making and Motion [advanced]

Take your micro:bit projects to the next dimension by merging physical computing with artificial intelligence. This workshop explores the synergy between external hardware and machine learning using the micro:bit CreateAI platform. Participants will transition from basic servo motor control to building "smart" machines that recognize and respond to trained movements, gestures or sounds. You will learn to collect data, train a unique ML model, and deploy it to trigger real-world mechanical actions. By bridging the gap between "making" and "training," we will address how to introduce complex concepts like data sets and feedback loops to students in an accessible, hands-on way. Perfect for educators looking to elevate their STEM curriculum, this session provides the tools to build responsive, autonomous systems that simulate real-world AI applications.

Note: this workshop is recommended for teachers who are familiar with some of micro:bit’s features, block-based coding, or who have attended the other micro:bit workshop.