We’re really pleased to share a new self-study course developed through a collaboration between Scavenger Labs and RISE at Manchester Metropolitan University.
This course grew out of hands-on workshops and creative making sessions we’ve been running for years, and also from a moment of change. During lockdown, we adapted our space at Scavenger Labs for filming, working with Steve from Noisy Toys and with Greta supporting the setup. What emerged was not just a filmed course, but a reflection on how our practice translates into digital formats.
There is a bit of that tension visible in the introduction video. At one point, Steve throws away a tower computer, a small but symbolic gesture. It speaks to a long-standing preference in our work for tactile, physical, non-screen-based making. At the same time, this course leans into digital tools, but in a way that still keeps things grounded, practical, and engaging.
That’s where the Micro Bit comes in. It sits somewhere in the middle. It’s digital, but still hands-on. You can hold it, wire it up, connect it to sensors, and see immediate results. It aligns well with the kind of exploratory, creative learning we value at Scavenger Labs.
About the course
This Introduction to Physical Computing self-study pack is designed to help you explore what’s possible with a new generation of small hardware devices.
You’ll work with microcontrollers, sensors, and outputs to build simple systems that respond to the world around them. These kinds of projects are used in art, industry, and increasingly in education as a way to support creative and applied learning.
We start by getting straight into it. You’ll begin using a Micro Bit right away, picking up key concepts through practical activity. From there, the course opens out into wider contexts, looking at how physical computing is used and why it matters.
Along the way, you will:
- Explore creative case studies that show how physical computing can support deeper learning
- Connect physical actions to digital media using tools like Scratch and the Micro Bit
- Experiment with a range of inputs and outputs to build interactive systems
- Develop your own project ideas and design skills
We also bring in an important strand from Scavenger Labs practice, working with reuse and repair. Throughout the course, there are prompts and ideas for using recycled or scavenged materials, helping reduce environmental impact while opening up more creative possibilities.
Physical computing is a broad field. It touches on electricity, sound, temperature, movement, and more. This course keeps things accessible and introductory, so you don’t need to worry about prior knowledge. It’s about experimenting, making, and learning through doing.
Sign up
The course is free to join and available online:
If you’re interested in creative technology, teaching, or just making things that interact with the world, this is a great place to start.