Artificial Intelligence (AI) and automation technologies are disrupting global industries at an unprecedented pace, making transformation within the education sector equally urgent. How can we enable students to move beyond isolated programming exercises and truly experience a complete, real-world deployment of modern technology—from data collection to automated workflows, and finally to AI data analysis?
On May 28, 2026, the “Digital Education AI Professional Training” workshop series, co-organized by Smarthon and Hong Kong Education City, was successfully held. Centered around the “Smart Garden AIoT Farming Kit,” the workshop guided teachers through a comprehensive, hands-on AIoT teaching scenario. Participants explored how to integrate BBC micro:bit, n8n, and AI technologies into classroom instruction to build a practical learning module for smart agriculture.
The core philosophy of this workshop extended beyond teaching isolated technical skills; it was designed around a complete learning chain:
Data Collection ➔ Automated Transmission ➔ AI Analysis ➔ Actionable Recommendations
Participating teachers utilized BBC micro:bit and sensor modules to collect environmental data for plant growth (such as temperature, humidity, and light intensity). They then used n8n to automate the transmission of this data to a cloud platform, establishing a real-time data stream. This design allows students to clearly understand how data transitions from the physical world into a digital system, where it can then be interpreted and applied by AI.
In traditional teaching, IoT data is often confined to local displays or simple cloud charts. A major innovation of this workshop was the introduction of n8n, a modern, enterprise-grade automation platform. Smarthon instructors demonstrated live how to construct automated workflows within n8n to automatically transmit data collected by the micro:bit to cloud databases and AI interfaces at scheduled intervals and designated paths.
Once the data is successfully uploaded to the cloud, the power of Generative AI is fully realized. This workshop delved into two major real-world AI application scenarios:
AI-Generated Plant Growth Reports: By leveraging Large Language Models (LLMs), the AI can deeply analyze historical environmental data transmitted via n8n. With a single click, it automatically generates comprehensive, visually enriched “Plant Growth Health Reports,” teaching students how to tell stories with data.
Smart Agriculture AI Expert System: This system utilizes AI for plant health diagnosis. When sensors detect insufficient moisture or excessive sunlight, the system not only triggers automatic adjustments but also pushes precise, personalized plant care recommendations.
The key to AI education lies not in teaching students what AI is, but rather enabling them to use AI to solve problems. This collaborative workshop between Smarthon and Hong Kong Education City represents a significant step forward in this direction.
Through the Smart Farming AIoT system, teachers and students can co-create a complete learning closed-loop—spanning sensing, transmission, analysis, and decision-making—thereby achieving a profound integration of AI and STEM education. Moving forward, this educational model, which combines real-world scenarios with cutting-edge technology, will become a vital direction for digital education.
We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to every teacher who attended and engaged in inspiring exchanges with us. Your passion for teaching and dedication to emerging technologies are the driving forces propelling Hong Kong’s digital education forward!
Missed this workshop?
Don’t worry! Smarthon will continue to launch a diverse range of AI, IoT, and coding educational solutions, as well as teacher training courses. If you would like to introduce the “Smart Farming AIoT Learning Kit” and the accompanying n8n + AI curriculum to your school, please feel free to contact our professional team. Let us work together to create the most forward-looking technology learning experiences for your students!
