Born in Canada, Built for Purpose: Origin of the Climate Action Kit 🇨🇦

In 2019, we asked a powerful question: What if technology education wasn’t just about coding — but about creating real positive change in the world?

A Canadian STEM Solution with Global Purpose

As Canadian EdTech creators, we felt a responsibility to help prepare students for a fast-changing world. That commitment led to the creation of the first Climate Action Kit — a hands-on, created-in-Canada resource that empowered students to build, code, and take action on issues that matter.

Pictured Above: The V1 Climate Action Kit in our Waterloo, Ontario warehouse

Real STEM Tools for Real-World Challenges

The original kit (we now lovingly call the V1!) gave students the tools to prototype solutions to challenges like deforestation and soil erosion. They built automated tree planters, smart indoor farms, and more — all while developing essential skills like creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking. The entire kit was designed, prototyped, packed, and shipped from our facility in Waterloo, Ontario.

Why micro:bit?

We chose to build the Climate Action Kit around the micro:bit for two reasons: One, thousands of micro:bits were already deployed in Canadian classrooms through CanCode funding; Two, micro:bit is a versatile resource with a low floor that’s built for education to introduce students to coding.

Pictured Above: The micro:bit seated in the Climate Action Kit Breakout Board

Choosing micro:bit meant we could focus the learning experience on going deeper — using the micro:bit as a foundation, then layering in physical computing, real-world problem solving, and challenges aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that extended its use beyond introductory coding.

Pictured Above: Packing and shipping the V1 Climate Action Kit

Feedback from Canadian Classrooms

From classrooms across Canada, to events like micro:bit Live, and by working with organizations like Taking IT Global, Kids Code Jeunesse, and programs like CanCode we heard a clear message: students craved purpose, and educators needed accessible tools that brought that purpose into the classroom.

Pictured Above: Students in Alberta, Canada doing early testing of the Kit

Pictured Above: Students in Ontario, Canada using the kit

Designing for the Cross-Curricular Classroom

The V1 kit delivered just that — but we also heard from educators who wanted a tool that could go even further. They were looking for a way to integrate coding, computational thinking, and real-world problem solving into subjects beyond computer science. The connection to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) brought the outside world into the classroom, giving students meaningful context for their learning and the chance to solve real-world challenges. To do that effectively, they needed a kit that was easy to set up, adaptable to different subjects, and powerful enough to support creativity across disciplines.

Pictured Above: The first image of the V1 Climate Action Kit from a customer!

Reimagining the Kit — and Building It Here in Canada

So, we got to work — right here in Waterloo, Ontario. We redesigned every component, starting with the building blocks.

Pictured Above: Technical drawings of a connector block and rail

Pictured Above: The V2 Climate Action Kit building blocks and tray prototype and final product.

Pictured Above: Prototype of the full V2 Climate Action Kit with packaging

Pictured Above: Choosing Pantone colours for the building blocks

Pictured Above: The final V2 Climate Action Kit

Modular, Intuitive, Built for the Classroom

The new system was engineered to be modular and intuitive, with durable components that snap together easily and can be reused across multiple projects. Each smart module — from motors to sensors to LED displays — was designed with classroom use in mind, allowing students to build confidently while encouraging exploration and iteration.

We also replaced the original alligator clips with custom plug-and-play connectors. These new physical computing connections eliminated frustration and uncertainty, making it easier for students to assemble circuits independently. Reversible connectors ensured students could plug components in without worrying about polarity or direction — reducing tech anxiety and making room for creativity.

Pictured Above: The evolution of the Breakout Board from alligator clips to plug-and-play connection ports

Pictured Above:A gif showing the reversible plug-and-play connection port on the Breakout Board and each sensor.

Pictured Above: Plug and play smart modules for the V2 Kit

Pictured Above: Multiple sensors directly and daisy-chain connected to the Breakout Board

STEM Lessons That Reflect Canadian Innovation

And because we know that great hardware is only part of the picture, we completely overhauled our lesson library and designed and developed our own learning platform software here in Canada to make sure it fit our vision and met our requirements. Every lesson was redesigned to create a student-centred learning experience while also providing more support and resources for educators. We incorporated inquiry-based prompts, scaffolding for multiple entry points, and educator-facing supports. Many lessons highlight Canadian innovations — like Banff’s Wildlife Crossing, the Fishway in Burlington’s Cootes Paradise Marsh, and ecobee’s smart thermostats — to root global topics in local examples students can connect with.

A New Brand for a Bigger Mission

In June 2023, we launched the redesigned Climate Action Kit under our new brand, Forward Education — a name that reflects our commitment to future-ready, purpose-driven learning. InkSmith remains our primary Canadian brand as part of the Forward Education family, while Forward Education serves as our global platform for expanding purpose-driven learning worldwide. The launch took place at ISTE, one of North America’s largest EdTech conferences, and we’re just getting started.

Practicing What We Teach

We don’t just teach design thinking, collaboration, and purpose-driven innovation — we build our business on those same principles.

From day one, we’ve embraced an iterative, feedback-informed approach to product design. We collaborate closely with educators, students, and partners to understand their real needs, and we ground every decision in the belief that learning should have meaning beyond the classroom. These values shape everything we do — from the way we design our tools to the way we grow as a company.