Digital world: Mindful moments timer
Researching, designing and prototyping a Micro:bit timer.
New statutory RSHE guidance is here. We’re creating our brand new RSE & PSHE scheme ready for September 2026. Learn more
- Subjects >
- Design and technology >
- Key stage 2 >
- Year 4 >
-
Digital world: Mindful moments timer
Unit outcomes
Pupils who are secure will be able to:
- State and/or describe the advantages and disadvantages of existing products (timers).
- Understand how virtual micro:bit features could be used as part of a design idea.
- Use research to inform design criteria.
- Write a program that displays a timer on the virtual micro:bit based on their chosen seconds/minutes.
- Suggest where the errors are, if testing is unsuccessful, by comparing the correct code to their own.
- State key functions in the program editor (e.g. loops).
- Evaluate the immediate appeal of the virtual micro:bit timer and how it might function.
- Express which stages of the project they enjoyed or found more challenging.
- Explain the need for a company to stand out against competition and/or state the importance of logos in business.
- Recall and describe the name and use of key tools used in Sketchpad (CAD) software.
- Fulfil the design requirements of the logo.
- Evaluate the product using feedback from the user.
Suggested prior learning
Digital world: Wearable technology
Get startedLessons
Lesson 1: Analysing timers
Lesson 2: Designing for the user
Lesson 3: Programming the timer
Lesson 4: Prototypes
Lesson 5: Brand identity
Lesson 6: An exhibition
Key knowledge
Equipment list
Equipment needed across all lessons in this unit.
This list does not include equipment which is usually readily available in the classroom (e.g pencils, A4 paper etc)
Full equipment list for the subject
Quantities marked × will update. Items without quantities are unaffected
- A range of timers, such as: sand-timers, egg-timers, digital stopwatches, analogue timers etc ×8
- Laptops/ desktop computers / tablets with access to BBC micro:bit editor and Sketchpad through an internet browser or app (tablets) ×15
- Scissors right- and left-handed options recommended. ×30
- Glue sticks ×30
- Double sided tape ×1
- Colouring pencils ×30
- Coloured card ×30
- Sugar paper ×30
- Corrugated card ×30
- Modelling clay ×30
-
Art straws
×15 - Masking tape ×1
Equipment list
Quantities marked × will update. Items without quantities are unaffected
- A range of timers, such as: sand-timers, egg-timers, digital stopwatches, analogue timers etc ×8
- Laptops/ desktop computers / tablets with access to BBC micro:bit editor and Sketchpad through an internet browser or app (tablets) ×15
- Scissors right- and left-handed options recommended. ×30
- Glue sticks ×30
- Double sided tape ×1
- Colouring pencils ×30
- Coloured card ×30
- Sugar paper ×30
- Corrugated card ×30
- Modelling clay ×30
-
Art straws
×15 - Masking tape ×1
Related content
Unit resources
Knowledge organiser – D&T Y4: Digital world: Mindful moments timer
A visual summary document to support pupils' learning in the Y4 Mindful moments timer unit.
Vocabulary display – D&T Y4: Digital world: Mindful moments timer
A display version of the vocabulary from the unit 'Mindful moments timer'.
Cross-curricular opportunities
Build on the learning
Digital world: Monitoring devices
Get startedPopular content
- Design and technology: Curriculum portal
- Design and technology: Curriculum information
- Y3 > Structures: Constucting a Castle > Lesson 3: Nets and Structures
- Y3 > Mechanical Systems: Pneumatic Toys > Lesson 1: Exploring Pneumatics
- Y4 > Textiles: Fastenings > Lesson 2: Designing my Book Sleeve
- Y4 > Electrical Systems: Torches > Lesson 3: Torch Design