Leaving Cert Computer Science 2026 Materials

[Alan Gaul]

Hi all,

I am a teacher of Computer Science at Leaving Cert Level. Fellow teachers will have seen the coursework brief (attached for convenience), and given the Embedded Systems element of the project, especially with the overarching theme of forestry, what would be some good and justifiable materials to order into the school?

We have micro:bits and some basic materials like crocodile clips and LEDs, like you'd see in many starter packs, but that is about it. This would pale in comparison in terms of what you could do with micro:bits if a well-stocked Technology or Physics room.

There is a line of thinking which is to just use the micro:bit's own internal sensors, but I am a little worried that in a school with 40+ students completing the project, it might get a little samey if they all just measure temperature or light level.

Any recommendations? Ideally ones that can be ordered in packs, in bulk, and are not too expensive, because this would need to be a school order. I am aware that Arduinos and Raspberry Pis are alternative options to micro:bits, but there is a cost factor as well as the fact that the students wouldn't be familiar with their respective programming languages from class.

This is an area where I am feeling a little out of my depth, but I want to do right by my students and allow them to achieve the grades that their efforts deserve. Any recommendations would be highly appreciated.

Kind regards,

Alan

[Shane Fleming]

Hi Alan,

I’ve been trying to stock up on materials over the years but for this brief I went out and got one of these. 

https://www.sgeducation.ie/elecfreaks-microbit-smart-agricultural-kit

It seems to add a bit of variety to what the basic microbit could do. Well worth a look in my opinion. 

Shane

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[Alan Gaul]

Thanks Shane. Really appreciate the recommendation.

Kind regards,

Alan

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