Microsoft and Butlins team up to get kids into technology

Microsoft and Butlins have teamed up to encourage children to get involved in science and technology.

Butlins, one of the UK’s oldest and most popular seaside holiday destinations, is encouraging families to incorporate education into their break, as well as pick up new science and technology-focused skills.

The tie-up with Microsoft sees the technology company hold 12 one-hour talks to encourage students and parents to get creative with computer programming. Families can experiment with computing challenges, produce animations and test code with the BBC micro:bit, a small computer that children can use to learn how to program.

Dave Coplin, Chief Envisioning Officer at Microsoft UK, who led one of the recent Microsoft session said: “We had kids as young as six and adults as old as 95, and they were all able to delight in seeing their own code run on their micro:bits within minutes. Even the Redcoats couldn’t resist getting in on the action. The feedback was incredible and the Butlins team was overjoyed by the reaction of their guests.”

Butlins is also offering a range of science-related sessions from partners including the Science Museum, Bletchley Park, L’Oréal and the National Space Centre. These organisations will offer practical demonstrations, interactive sessions and hands-on workshops at the seaside resorts. 

Microsoft will take part in two further science weekends at Butlins resorts – June 11 and 12 in Skegness and September 17 and 18 in Minehead.