Off-the-shelf Masterclass: Bats to bytes

Explore how data is used to improve player performance in sport, analyse your own movement data with a cricket bat and micro:bit, and train your very own cricket batting AI model.

Image credit: u_g5kzowan0q via Pixabay

About this Masterclass

Computer scientists and data analysts play a vital role in modern sports, using technology to unlock insights that improve player performance and game strategy.

In this session, students will explore how tools like the micro:bit can collect and analyse data, and be used to coach a students’ batting technique. By measuring the movement of a cricket bat and using real-time feedback, they’ll discover how computer science can revolutionise sports while building critical data analysis skills.

Length: 2 hours (see the session leader notes for ideas on how to shorten the Masterclass).

Note: Worksheets and supporting documents are provided in .docx format as well as pdf format, to enable adaptations. These should be opened in desktop versions of word processing software to preserve formatting and layout.

Resources needed

  • 1 copy of Worksheet 1 – Batting Challenge Data Collection per group of students
  • Laptops, computers, or tablets with internet access (1 per group)
  • Micro:bit and battery pack (1 per group)
  • USB-A to micro-USB lead (1 per group, for connecting micro:bit to a laptop)
  • Cricket bat (1 per group) - you may wish to adapt this activity by using tennis rackets, golf clubs, or hockey sticks
  • Pencils or pens
  • Makecode programme for the cricket batting challenge - https://makecode.microbit.org/06856-27461-79324-66417 
  • Micro:bit Wearable (1 per group, to attach micro:bit to wrist)

    Optional:

  • 1 copy of Worksheet 0 – My favourite sports per student
  • 1 copy of Worksheet 2 – Batter Recruitment per student
  • Small, soft ball
  • 1 clipboard per group of students (for batting challenge activity)