One application. Three teachers. A full school year of CS and AI literacy for your students, at no cost to your school.
The MicroChat School Pilot Grant gives K-12 teachers in the US and Canada free access to MicroChat, Forward Education's AI coding assistant for micro:bit, for up to three teachers at one school. Apply, teach with MicroChat for 90 days, complete a 5-minute check-in, and keep access through June 30.
What Is MicroChat?
MicroChat builds AI literacy with micro:bit
MicroChat is Forward Education's AI coding assistant for micro:bit. Students describe what they want to build in plain language and bring it to life on a real micro:bit.
Teachers get their own tools too, including Tutorial Builder for turning a lesson into a step-by-step MakeCode tutorial. It works in English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, and German.
Think first. Code second.
AI that keeps students doing the thinking
Many teachers worry that AI will do the work for students. MicroChat is built the other way around. Students describe what they want their micro:bit to do and get working code. Then MicroChat asks what the code will do and why, so students read it, predict, and explain it in their own words before they run it.
Built on PRIMM
Predict, Run, Investigate, Modify, Make. Students read code, predict what it does, explain and make changes.
Low floor, high ceiling
Students get a micro:bit project working in their first session, then extend it with sensors, motors, and kit hardware.
Builds the 4Cs
Critical thinking, creativity, communication, and collaboration, plus the computational thinking skills.
How It Works
From application to a full school year
Apply
Tell us about your school, students, and two colleagues.
Get approved
Your approval comes with 90 days and onboarding.
Teach for 90 days
Run MicroChat with your classes. We send lesson ideas along the way.
Check in
Complete a 5-minute check-in at day 90 to share your progress.
Keep going
Sharing your story extends your access through June 30, 2027.
What Your School Receives
Everything your team needs to get started
School Spotlight
Show your principal what your students built
When you complete your 90-day check-in, we turn your school's results into a one-page School Spotlight. Share it with your principal and district in one click. Your school is only featured publicly if you say yes.
- Students reached, sessions run, and teachers participating
- What your students built, with a photo or project link
- A quote from you, in your own words
- How your team's confidence teaching coding and AI changed
Compare Options
Pick the right path for your school
The School Pilot Grant is for teachers bringing MicroChat to their own school. Training educators across a district or region? The CS & AI Literacy Grant is built for you.
| 30-Day Free Trial | School Pilot Grant | CS & AI Literacy Grant | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | One teacher trying MicroChat | A teacher bringing MicroChat to their school | RESAs, districts, nonprofits, and PD providers training educators |
| Teachers | 1 | 3 | 5 to 50 licenses |
| Length | 30 days | Through June 30 | 1 year |
| Includes | All MicroChat features | All features, onboarding webinar, and School Spotlight | Licenses, staff training, workshop resources, and event promotion |
| What we ask | Nothing | A short application and a 5-minute check-in | A planned MicroChat training event |
| Get started | Start a free trial | Apply for the pilot | See the CS & AI Literacy Grant |
Who Can Apply?
K-12 school staff globally
Who can apply
- Classroom teachers, CS and technology teachers, instructional coaches, librarians and media specialists, and school administrators.
- Apply with your school or district email address.
- One pilot per school. Schools that have had a pilot before are not eligible again.
- Schools with a paid MicroChat license already have access. Use your current license instead.
- Applying after April 1? You get the 90-day pilot, without the extension to June 30.
What we ask in return
- A short application about your students and goals.
- The name of your principal or an administrator, so we can share how the pilot goes.
- A 5-minute check-in at day 90. Completing it extends your access to June 30.
- Optional: permission to feature your school in a School Spotlight.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have more questions? Email aigrant@forwardedu.com and a real human will write you back.
What is the MicroChat School Pilot Grant?
The MicroChat School Pilot Grant gives up to three teachers at one K-12 school free access to MicroChat through June 30 of the current school year. Teachers apply, teach with MicroChat for 90 days, and complete a 5-minute check-in to keep access for the rest of the year.
What is MicroChat?
MicroChat is Forward Education's AI coding assistant for micro:bit. Students describe what they want to build in plain language and MicroChat gives them the code. Then it uses the PRIMM method to ask what the code will do and why, so students read, predict, and explain it before they run it.
How is this different from the 30-day free trial?
The trial is one teacher for 30 days. The pilot is three teachers at your school through June 30, with an onboarding webinar and a School Spotlight. In return, you complete a short application and a 5-minute check-in.
Who can be my two colleagues?
Any two teachers at your school. Add them on your application or later in your pilot. Colleagues are optional.
Do I need micro:bits to apply?
Not to apply. We ask what you have so we can suggest the right first lessons. If your school needs hardware, micro:bit boards and packs are available from Forward Education.
When will I hear back?
Approvals go out on the 1st and 15th of each month. If you apply with a personal email address, we will ask for your school email before approving.
Why do you ask for my principal's name?
So we can share how your pilot goes. If you opt in to a School Spotlight, we send it to your principal so they can see what your students built.
What is in the 90-day check-in?
We show your usage numbers, like sessions run and students reached. You tell us what students built, how your confidence has changed, and a few quick questions about next year. It takes about 5 minutes.
What if I miss the check-in?
The check-in opens at day 75 and we send reminders. You have a 7-day grace period after day 90 before access pauses.
What happens after June 30?
Your school can keep MicroChat with a school plan. We will send pricing and a simple way to purchase in the spring.
I lead a district or regional agency. Can I apply?
The School Pilot Grant is for individual schools. For district-wide or regional educator training, apply for the CS & AI Literacy Grant.
Ready to bring MicroChat to your school?
Apply today. Approvals go out on the 1st and 15th of each month.
Questions before you apply? Email aigrant@forwardedu.com and a real human will write you back.
