Micro:bit Intro
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The BBC micro:bit is a small wearable and programmable device that has these components:
- a 5x5 LED display,
- accelerometer,
- compass,
- buttons,
- I/O pins,
- Micro USB plug,
- Bluetooth Low Energy antenna,
- ARM Cortex-M0 processor, and
- battery plug (Source)
Step 1 - Get Ready
Pick up your box of micro:bit components. You can find a list of all items in the document included in your bag. Below is a list of everything that should be in there:
- micro:bit — The brains of the outfit with a bunch of on-board components.
- USB micro-B Cable: This 6-foot cable provides you with a USB-A connector at the host end and standard B connector at the device end.
- Alligator Test Leads: A great way to connect individual components to the micro:bit ring connectors.
- Battery Pack: A AA battery pack with the JST connector that fits the micro:bit.
- Jumper Wires Standard 7in M/M: These are high-quality wires that allow you to make connections with components on the breadboard.
- Piezo Buzzer: BUZZZZ! Used to make different frequencies of sound.
- Small Servo: Here is a simple, low-cost, high-quality servo for all your mechatronic needs. (not included)
Step 2 - Plan with Pseudocode
What do you want your program to do? The first step in writing a computer program is to create a plan for what you want your program to do. Write out a detailed step-by-step plan for your program.
Pseudocode is like a detailed outline or rough draft of your program. Pseudocode is a mix of natural language and code.
Step 3 - Code & Create
Use the code shown left to give your robot head expressions.
Step 4 - Save Code to Micro:bit
1. To save the code to the micro:bit, click on the disk image or DOWNLOAD button to the left of the screen. This will allow you to save everything to your computer, then copy it to your micro:bit device.
2. When the hex file has been saved to your computer, you can copy it to your micro:bit via the USB cable.
3. Copy the hex file saved on your computer to the micro:bit. Simply open the MICROBIT (just as you would a USB flash drive) then drag-n-drop the hex file as shown in the image right.
In a moment, your Micro:bit will automatically begin to run the program.
Windows user? Right-click and choose SEND TO then select MICROBIT.
Step 5 - Publish Your Code
Ready to share your awesome MakeCode hex file with others? Publish your hex code online.
1. Click on SHARE icon at top left of the MakeCode screen
2. Click the COPY button that appears, as shown below. Notice you have EMBED code in case you want to embed the code on a website
Materials You Will Need
- Robot Head template to build the first part of a body for your Micro:bit expressions (get your own copy of the Word document that you can print)
- Scissors/Exacto knife
- Glue sticks
- Tape
- Micro:bit
- Speakers/earbuds/headphones
- Alligator clips
Steps To Follow
- Decorate Your Robot Head
- Fold your robot head together
- Make note of where wires will need to go
- Cut holes
- where wires will need to go
- where buttons are
- where LEDs appear so they are viewable
- Try again until you get it to your satisfaction
Are You Done?
Make a Video
When you are done, FlipGrid your presentation. Remember to:
- Tell us who you are
- What you do
- What you learned from this activity
- Make a connection between the ISTE Standard on computational thinking and the activity you just completed
Note: Get the Flipgrid app on your smartphone or just use your computer.
