We are often asked to recommend products that assist with the implementation of the new Mandatory Technology syllabus for Digital Technologies. We want to go on record to say that it is definitely possible to teach the Digital Technologies Curriculum without any purchases, however, the micro:bit is an excellent tool for engagement and bridging the gap between digital technologies and engineering. The BOSON Starter Kit for micro:bit has some really positive features for extending the micro:bit for built projects.

Content of Boson Starter Kit for micro:bit by DFRobot

Benefits:

• Easy to use. The grove connectors to break out the pins from the micro:bit make sensors and actuators available for easy connection.
• Easy to build. The components in the kit have both Lego and screw connector attachments to make the components accessible to a large variety of projects.
• Variety. There are a good number of components, colour coded for easy identification for extending projects.
• Tutorials. There are mini-project cards that come int he kit to train students in the use of the kit.

• Board manipulation. Despite the ease of use once the micro:bit is inserted into the mount, it is not easy to push the micro:bit into the breakout and nor is it easy to remove it once inserted.
• Cost. The kit is not cheap. It's listed for different prices around Australia and overseas but the kit costs approximately 5 times the cost of the micro:bit itself.