Build an AI magic wand with micro:bit

Founder of Birdbrain Technologies, Tom Lauwers presents an online workshop for educators on November 3rd; recorded sessions from MakerEd Educators Forum now online.

Did you know a micro:bit can become a magic wand with a little sprinkling of AI fairy dust? Tom Lauwers will show you how to use micro:bit’s new CreateAI tool to train a gesture recognition model to recognize motion patterns on a micro:bit attached to a “magic wand”. Via radio, this micro:bit will then become the controller of other micro:bits or micro:bit-powered robots, allowing the wand to control animatronics and robotics at a distance.

Tom founded BirdBrain Technologies in 2010 after receiving his doctorate in robotics from Carnegie Mellon University. His research was founded on engaging all students, regardless of background, in robotics and engineering. Tom seeks to design educational tools that catalyze positive making, coding, and engineering learning experiences in the classroom. Tom resides in Pittsburgh’s Squirrel Hill neighborhood with his wife, two kids, two birds, and a small army of robots. He would be an invaluable ally in the event of a robot uprising.

Register for the 2025-26 MakerED Learning Together Workshops at https://forms.gle/vEEkVxVK9iAmcNE19

Recordings from MakerEd Forum Now Available

If you were unable to join us live for the MakerEd Forum on October 16. We have recordings of all sessions are now available online.

Thanks to Godwyn Morris for organizing the program and bringing in such wonderful presenters. Thank you to the presenters for sharing your insights and practices as a maker educator.