Education
Start of main content
Age Range: 11-14
Duration: 30-59 mins
  • Computing
  • D&T

Step counter - prototype to final product

Develop a prototype step counter into a commercially viable product

This is one of a series of resources to support the use of the BBC micro:bit in Design and Technology lessons.

Walking is an excellent form of exercise that most people can take part in. The average person walks 3000-4000 steps per day. The National Health Service in the UK has set a challenge for each person to walk 10,000 steps per day. This can be counted using a step counter or stepometer.

In this unit of learning, learners will integrate a BBC micro:bit based programmable system into a complete and commercially viable step counter product, that will aid people taking part in this challenge. 

Activity info, teachers' notes and curriculum links

In this activity, learners will develop their prototype stepometer into a completed, commercially viable product.

The activity sheet includes teachers' notes, useful web links, and links (where appropriate) to the national curriculum in each of the four devolved nations; England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

Download the free activity sheet below!

All activity sheets and supporting resources are free to download, and all the documents are fully editable, so you can tailor them to your students' and your schools' needs.

And please do share your classroom learning highlights with us @IETeducation

Videos

Count those steps

Related resources

We’re upgrading our systems, and this includes changes to our customer and member account log in, MyIET. It’s part of our big picture plan to deliver a great experience for you and our wider engineering community.

Whilst most of our websites remain available for browsing, it will not be possible to log in to purchase products or access services from Thursday, 17 April to Wednesday, 30 April 2025. Our Member Relations team is here to help and for many of our services, including processing payments or orders, we’ll be able to support you over the phone on +44 (0)1438 765678 or email via membership@theiet.org.

We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and thank you for your understanding.

For further information related to specific products and services, please visit our FAQs webpage.

Close this message