SHARJAH, UAE- Children turned junior engineers as they learnt to make a smart stepwatch that can track movements in real time at the “Build your own health watch” workshop during the 45th Sharjah International Book Fair.
Trainers briefed the participants about the activity and provided them with microbit power shield module, acrylic case layer, mini screwdriver and a red-and-black striped nylon watch strap. “Our project today is to make a step counter and for this we will assemble a robot watch with a microbit. The microbit is the brain of the smartwatch and it can be threaded through the strap once it is ready and coded. Once the code is written into it, the step number will go up,” the trainer explained.
The children set about making the watch as instructed, with a little guidance from the trainers especially in coding the watch using a computer.
Salma, one of the trainers, stated that the activity is meant to teach children about robotics as well as fitness. “The watch will keep track of your steps and keep you healthy.”
Siblings Ayan and Aairah, aged 7 and 10 respectively who were enthusiastic participants in the workshop, said: “We would like to use a watch like this while playing or when we go to the park.”
Catching them young is a worthy motto for SIBF as it promotes not only reading but sustainable activities for children.
Organised by the Sharjah Book Authority, the 45th Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF 2026) runs from November 4 to 15 at Expo Centre Sharjah under the theme ‘Made of Stories’, with the Sultanate of Oman as Guest of Honour. The fair brings together 3,212 publishers and exhibitors from 126 countries, showcasing more than 1.7 million titles. Its programme features 1,500 cultural, creative and artistic events, with 106 guests from 25 countries.
