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Intro to the micro:bit

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What if robots replaced teachers? Find out with BBC micro:bit - BBC Make It Digital

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Purchase micro:bits in Canada

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Fair Chance Learning | Learning Services for Educators

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Fair Chance Learning | Learning Services for Educators

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We create and deliver meaningful professional learning opportunities for Canadian educators to embed technology and enhance modern pedagogies.

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When the calibration begins, the micro:bit will scroll an instruction on the display for you - either "Draw a circle" or "Tilt to fill screen". To calibrate the compass, just follow these instructions and tilt the micro:bit to move the dot in the centre of the screen around until you have either drawn the outline of a circle, or filled up the whole screen.

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The Micro:bit Foundation is a global non-profit organisation making invention with technology fun for everyone!

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Please read our safety information and keep your experience safe and enjoyable

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Computers can be used to help us solve problems. However, before a problem can be tackled, the problem itself and the ways in which it could be solved need to be understood.

Computational thinking allows us to do this.

Computational thinking allows us to take a complex problem, understand what the problem is and develop possible solutions. We can then present these solutions in a way that a computer, a human, or both, can understand.

The four cornerstones of computational thinking

There are four key techniques (cornerstones) to computational thinking:

- breaking down a complex problem or system into smaller, more manageable parts

- looking for similarities among and within problems

- focusing on the important information only, ignoring irrelevant detail

- developing a step-by-step solution to the problem, or the rules to follow to solve the problem

Each cornerstone is as important as the others. They are like legs on a table - if one leg is missing, the table will probably collapse. Correctly applying all four techniques will help when programming a computer.

Computational thinking in practice

A complex problem is one that, at first glance, we don't know how to solve easily.

Computational thinking involves taking that complex problem and breaking it down into a series of small, more manageable problems ( decomposition ). Each of these smaller problems can then be looked at individually, considering how similar problems have been solved previously ( pattern recognition ) and focusing only on the important details, while ignoring irrelevant information ( abstraction ). Next, simple steps or rules to solve each of the smaller problems can be designed ( algorithms ).

Finally, these simple steps or rules are used to a computer to help solve the complex problem in the best way.

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BBC Bitesize - KS3 Computer Science - Introduction to computational thinking - Revision 1

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Computers can be used to help us solve problems. However, before a problem can be tackled, the problem itself and the ways in which it could be solved need to be understood. Computational thinking allows us to do this. Computational thinking allows us to take a complex problem, understand what the problem is and develop possible solutions.

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Decomposition is one of the four cornerstones of Computer Science. It involves breaking down a complex problem or system into smaller parts that are more manageable and easier to understand . The smaller parts can then be examined and solved, or designed individually, as they are simpler to work with.

Why is decomposition important?

If a problem is not decomposed, it is much harder to solve. Dealing with many different stages all at once is much more difficult than breaking a problem down into a number of smaller problems and solving each one, one at a time. Breaking the problem down into smaller parts means that each smaller problem can be examined in more detail.

Similarly, trying to understand how a complex system works is easier using decomposition. For example, understanding how a bicycle works is more straightforward if the whole bike is separated into smaller parts and each part is examined to see how it works in more detail.

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What is decomposition? - Decomposition - KS3 Computer Science Revision - BBC Bitesize

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Decomposition is one of the four cornerstones of Computer Science. It involves breaking down a complex problem or system into smaller parts that are more manageable and easier to understand . The smaller parts can then be examined and solved, or designed individually, as they are simpler to work with.

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BBC Bitesize - KS3 Computer Science - Pattern recognition - Revision 1

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Learn about what pattern recognition is and how it helps us to solve problems in KS3 Computer Science.

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BBC Bitesize - KS3 Computer Science - Sequencing - Revision 1

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Learn how to represent sequencing in algorithms with Bitesize KS3 Computer Science.

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BBC Bitesize - KS3 Computer Science - Abstraction - Revision 1

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Learn about what abstraction is and how it helps us to solve problems in KS3 Computer Science.

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BBC Bitesize - KS3 Computer Science - Designing an algorithm - Revision 1

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Learn how to design an algorithm and how they can be represented with Bitesize KS3 Computer Science.

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BBC Bitesize - KS3 Computer Science - Writing error-free code - Revision 1

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Learn how to write error-free code with Bitesize KS3 Computer Science.

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BBC Bitesize - KS3 Computer Science - Evaluating solutions - Revision 1

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Learn how and why solutions are evaluated with Bitesize KS3 Computer Science.

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Select from a variety of editors

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Welcome to BBC micro:bit! This website will be your hub for all things micro:bit, from writing code to sharing your creations.

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Getting Started with Microsoft Block Editor

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Getting Started with Microsoft Block Editor

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This Kitronik University Resource is a part of the BBC micro:bit partnership and is an in depth guide into getting started with Microsoft Block Editor.

Getting Started with Microsoft Block Editor for the BBC micro:bit:

The Microsoft Block Editor is a drag and drop editor for the BBC microbit that provides a simple introduction to programming. Blocks snap together to build programs and are grouped by the type of function they do. When a group is selected, the commands in the whole group are highlighted and can be selected. It's a great introduction to programming for those with little or no experience.

Course contents

Selecting blocks

1. Select a block category from the list on the left hand side of the page.

2. Select a block from the selected category and drag it to the workspace area on the right.

3. Snap new blocks onto existing blocks in the workspace area. As the new blocks are dragged into the workspace, the editor highlights the connecting parts of each block when they are in a valid position to snap to existing blocks.

Saving scripts

Scripts are automatically saved on your computer's hard drive when you are not logged in. You can access older scripts when you press the 'My Scripts' button in the top left corner of the editor.

If you want to switch computers or save the progress of a current script; click on the 'my scripts' button in the top left corner of the editor:

Once you have clicked on the 'my scripts' button, it will take you to a dashboard with options on what to do with the selected script. Options include saving your script for editing later, exporting the script to another computer (as a .jsz file), cloning the script (for someone else to edit), deleting your script and publishing the script to the BBC micro:bit website.

How to Delete Blocks using Microsoft Block Editor

You can delete blocks in three ways. You have to select and highlight the blocks you want to delete (the edges change colour to yellow when the blocks are selected):

1. Press the DELETE button on your computer.

2. Select and drag the selected blocks into the 'bin' shaped icon in the bottom right hand corner of the editor.

3. Select the block and right-click on the selected blocks. A drop-down list will appear and select the 'Delete Block' option.

Changing a Program Name

A program name will be randomly assigned when the editor is first loaded. To change this; simply click or touch the current name of the program at the top of the editor. You should get a cursor with a light blue surround text box. You can now type in the new name for your program. The editor should automatically save your changes when you are online. If you don't have an internet connection, press the save icon to save your changes.

Complete list of available blocks

LOOPS BLOCKS

LOGIC BLOCKS

MATHS BLOCKS
ARITHMETIC BINARY OPERATION Blocks
The ARITHMETIC OPERATION Blocks are used to perform an arithmetic (maths) operations on two items. For example by adding them together. It returns the result of this operation. This Block has spaces to place the variable or values to perform the operation on. The drop down box in the centre allows the selection of the operator type (there are five you can select).

VARIABLES BLOCKS

GAME BLOCKS

MUSIC BLOCKS

BBC micro:bit BLOCKS

BASIC BLOCKS
SHOW LEDs Block
The SHOW LEDs Block is used to display an image on the display. If a box is tocked then the corresponding LED will be lit up.
CLEAR SCREEN Block
The CLEAR SCREEN Block (BASIC) clears the screen of LEDs currently displayed on the LED display matrix.
PAUSE Block
The PAUSE block pauses the programming on the BBC micro:bit for a specified amount of time before running the next set of commands. The time interval is measured in milliseconds (ms) (1000 of a second).

LED BLOCKS

IMAGES BLOCKS
SCROLL IMAGE Block CREATE IMAGE Block CREATE BIG IMAGE Block
BBC micro:bit INPUT BLOCKS
COMPASS HEADING Block ON (COMMAND) DO Block
PINS BLOCKS

DEVICES Blocks

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Getting Started with Microsoft Block Editor

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This Kitronik University Resource is a part of the BBC micro:bit partnership and is an in depth guide into getting started with Microsoft Block Editor. The Microsoft Block Editor is a drag and drop editor for the BBC microbit that provides a simple introduction to programming.

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If you're new to programming or looking for an effective tool to help teach it then Mr Bit is the software package for you. Mr Bit was developed by Insight Resources in collaboration with ScienceScope and is aimed at entry level programming using the BBC micro:bit. Do you know what programming syntax is? No matter - Mr Bit is a programming language for coding in plain English. "When button is pressed turn on red light" is an example of how easy it is to understand and program Mr Bit is.

Program the BBC micro:bit in plain English

Create real world scenarios

Show images, animations, messages and graphs

Control external devices connected to the micro:bit

Design and play games

Make measurements and do calculations

Compose and play musical tunes

You decide on inputs and outputs, Mr Bit offers you choices and uses them to build a program script in plain English. You can run your scripts using the run mode simulator to see how your code works and any adjustments need to be made. Then, at the touch of a button, Mr Bit controls the BBC micro:bit via Bluetooth wireless or USB connection.

Mr Bit is compatible with Windows PC versions 7 to 10 and is available in the Apple store for IPads.

Mr Bit is a valuable tool for developing the logical thinking required in conventional computer languages.

The app comes fully equipped with:

Tutorials - helping you start building and programming different types of control system

Exercises - helping you learn how to create a variety of activities with the BBC micro:bit

Projects - Ideas for working models which you can build and control with the BBC micro:bit

Example control systems - illustrating different types of programs for the BBC micro:bit
Ideal for beginners and Key Stages 2 & 3

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If you're new to programming or looking for an effective tool to help teach it then Mr Bit is the software package for you. Mr Bit was developed by Insight Resources in collaboration with ScienceScope and is aimed at entry level programming using the BBC micro:bit. Do you know what programming syntax is?

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[ { "name": "Tutorials", "url": "/tutorials", "imageUrl": "https://pxt.azureedge.net/blob/bd3236c80ed86cbf0b99ff39f26469683c512ebc/static/mb/projects/a1-display.png", "largeImageUrl": "/static/mb/projects/flashing-heart/sim.gif" }, { "name": "Tutorials for the new micro:bit (V2)", "url": "/tutorials-v2", "imageUrl": "https://pxt.azureedge.net/blob/4afc8f359ae64a669b498e20420453694cc88050/static/mb/projects/pet-hamster.png" }, { "name": "Live Coding", "url": "/live-coding", "imageUrl": "https://pxt.azureedge.net/blob/5067ce1f1d7789f7fd23145cd63655548252d21e/static/live-coding/NvEOKZ8wh9s.jpg" }, { "name": "Games", "url": "/projects/games", "imageUrl": "https://pxt.azureedge.net/blob/49b5a6cb22d424ca0ecc4a9be40e3131555f36cd/static/mb/projects/a4-motion.png" }, { "name": "Radio Games", "url": "/projects/radio-games", "imageUrl": "https://pxt.azureedge.net/blob/1a12f370f97e6cc3155f2806d9d2a91279daa447/static/multi.png" }, { "name": "Fashion", "url": "/projects/fashion", "imageUrl": "https://pxt.azureedge.net/blob/02f34ed7967954ad03ead799a02ff685a9a7b1be/static/mb/projects/wallet.png" }, { "name": "Music", "url": "/projects/music", "imageUrl": "https://pxt.azureedge.net/blob/6a1e39f158250b5aa6d577e4bb8058e3be3107c5/static/mb/projects/a6-music.png" }, { "name": "Toys", "url": "/projects/toys", "imageUrl": "https://pxt.azureedge.net/blob/d984848ed5cfd4bb3d1f74d3b2c34983ab0bb755/static/mb/projects/inchworm.jpg" }, { "name": "Science", "url": "/projects/science", "imageUrl": "https://pxt.azureedge.net/blob/ca012263c4ef9c6e947e935431e9fd3a9a5eda8e/static/mb/projects/timegate.jpg" }, { "name": "Tools", "url": "/projects/tools", "imageUrl": "https://pxt.azureedge.net/blob/08f4dfd75a0609e5b15aa8d7ce74a4b9f3d43660/static/mb/projects/stopwatch.png" }, { "name": "Turtle", "url": "/projects/turtle", "imageUrl": "https://pxt.azureedge.net/blob/c2d0656df501cefb677bc119c17ebd1858fe4cdf/static/mb/projects/turtle-square.png" }, { "name": "Blocks to JavaScript", "url": "/courses/blocks-to-javascript", "imageUrl": "https://pxt.azureedge.net/blob/71f6dbe0e456902f15e3d55bc9be97e755b0d7a7/static/courses/blocks-to-javascript/hello-javascript.png" }, { "name": "Courses", "url": "/courses", "imageUrl": "https://pxt.azureedge.net/blob/ce157b871e8d7330375d8dc8ade57d7426259ef4/static/courses/csintro.jpg" }, { "name": "Behind the MakeCode Hardware", "url": "/behind-the-makecode-hardware", "imageUrl": "https://pxt.azureedge.net/blob/e72927e4891dbfd8231e42bc6e80a58872e11938/static/mb/behindhardware/leds.jpg" }, { "name": "Science Experiments", "url": "/science-experiments", "imageUrl": "https://pxt.azureedge.net/blob/73c4fc32f94f93a14b39d52a81b51616118e2fd7/static/mb/science-experiments/data-collection.jpg" }, { "name": "Coding for Teachers", "url": "/coding-for-teachers", "imageUrl": "https://pxt.azureedge.net/blob/b3b9f903c16ef71233098dc858f975b00d9cfffd/static/coding-for-teachers/hr8O_pslp8Q.jpg" }, { "name": "Coding Cards", "url": "/coding-cards", "imageUrl": "https://pxt.azureedge.net/blob/6b23939cba12166b5392cdcb911f0f88efbf050f/static/coding-cards/balance-card.jpg" }, { "name": "Deep Dive", "url": "/deep-dive", "imageUrl": "https://pxt.azureedge.net/blob/d8cb13886abe35c5f103f9c51095900d35f57e92/static/deep-dive/RpK4Cg42eNk.jpg" } ]

See Also

Tutorials, Tutorials for the new micro:bit (V2), Live Coding, Games, Radio Games, Fashion, Music, Toys, Science, Tools, Turtle, Blocks to JavaScript, Courses, Behind the MakeCode Hardware, Science Experiments, Coding for Teachers, Coding Cards, Deep Dive

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Tutorials , Tutorials for the new micro:bit (V2) , Live Coding , Games , Radio Games , Fashion , Music , Toys , Science , Tools , Turtle , Blocks to JavaScript , Courses , Behind the MakeCode Hardware , Science Experiments , Coding for Teachers , Coding Cards , Deep Dive

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Lesson resources for teachers

Planning and teaching with the micro:bit

Primary ages 7-11

Complete, editable computing units of work and resources with cross-curricular links for art, science, geography and more, curriculum-linked to England KS2 and Code.org elementary CS Fundamentals.
Search primary lessons
Secondary ages 11-14

Units of work with downloadable, editable resources covering computing fundamentals through to cyber security, cryptography and creative design projects, curriculum-linked to England KS3.
Search secondary lessons

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Planning and teaching with the micro:bit Complete, editable computing units of work and resources with cross-curricular links for art, science, geography and more, curriculum-linked to England KS2 and Code.org elementary CS Fundamentals. Search primary lessons Units of work with downloadable, editable resources covering computing fundamentals through to cyber security, cryptography and creative design projects, curriculum-linked to England KS3.

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Welcome to BBC micro:bit! This website will be your hub for all things micro:bit, from writing code to sharing your creations.

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You are going to make a game in which players have to guide a wand along a course without making contact. Making contact will add one to the player's score - the player with the lowest score wins!

Instructions: If you're reading this online, press A on the micro:bit below to start the game, and then touch pin 0 to make a connection.

For this project you'll need some additional items:

Metal wire (approx. 50cm);

Modelling clay (Plasticine or similar, needs to be non-conductive);

Electrical tape (optional);

Crocodile clip leads (optional).

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Let's start by creating a place to store the number of fails.

Activity Checklist

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A new game should start when the player presses button A. Click 'Input' and then on button A pressed.

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Now you need a variable to store the number of times you fail in the game by touching the wire with the wand. Click on 'Variables' and then 'Make a new Variable'. Name the variable fails.

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Drag a set block from 'Variables' and select fails:

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This will set the number of fails to zero when you press the A button.

Finally, you can display the number of fails on your micro:bit. To do this, first drag a show number block from 'Basic' to the end of your script.

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Then drag fails from 'Variables' into your set block.

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Click 'run' to test your script. Clicking button A should display the number of fails, which has been set to 0.

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Challenge: Display an image

Can you display an image for 1 second (1000ms) before the number of fails are displayed?

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You'll need to use the following blocks from Basic do to this:

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Let's add code to keep track of fails.

Activity Checklist

You're going to add 1 to your fails variable every time a connection is made on Pin0. To do this, drag on pin P0 pressed from 'Input'.

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Next, add 2 blocks to display a cross for 1 second when Pin0 is pressed.

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You'll then need to add 1 to your fails variable. To do this, click the drag a change item by 1 from Variables and change item to fail.

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Finally, you can add code to display the updated number of fails. Here's how your code should look.

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Test your code by pressing button A on the emulator to start your game. Each time you press Pin0 you should see your fails variable increase by 1.

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Click 'Download' and transfer your script onto your micro:bit. You can press Pin0 by completing a circuit. To do this, place your right thumb on the ground pin (GND) and then tap Pin0 with your left thumb.

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Now that you've coded your game, let's put it all together!

Activity Checklist

First, let's make your wand. Take a piece of wire about 20cm long and bend it in half, making a loop at the top.

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You can then twist the two pieces of wire together.

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To make the course, take another piece of wire about 30cm long and bend the middle part of the wire into shape. You should bend up one end of the course.

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If you have some electrical tape, wrap some around the two ends of the wire, leaving some exposed metal at both ends.

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Slide your wand through your course, and push the ends of your wire into some putty to stand it up.

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You can now connect your game to your micro:bit using a crocodile clip lead or some wire. Firstly, connect the ground pin (GND) to one end of your course.

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You can then connect Pin 0 to your wand.

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Test your game. Press button A and your score should be set to 0. Each time your wand touches the course, the circuit is completed and your micro:bit should add 1 to your number of fails.

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Challenge: Cheat mode!

Can you add a cheat to your game, so that pressing button B reduces your score by 1?

Challenge: Personalise your game

Get some friends to try out your game. If your game is too easy, you can make it harder by:

Create a longer course;

Add more bends to your course;

Make a wand with a smaller gap.

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You are going to make a game in which players have to guide a wand along a course without making contact. Making contact will add one to the player's score - the player with the lowest score wins!

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Getting Started with micro:bit Part 1: Say Hello

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With the micro:bit coming to America, we wanted to share how easy it was to develop for this little board from the BBC. Four programming languages are officially supported by the micro:bit, and we focus on the MakeCode block editor from Microsoft, as it is easily accessible by grade school students and adults alike.

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Sparkfun Education - micro:bit Video Resources

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micro:bit
teaching resources
iet.tv
video
lesson plans
worksheets
handouts
briefs

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The IET Education Team have developed a new suite of resources covering 13 separate topics to help you to introduce the micro:bit to your students. Each of these free resources will include a starter/introduction, main and extension activity as well as video clips to contextualise the information provided.

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You're going to use the Python editor on the micro:bit website for this jam. Click here to open the editor.
Click here to view the basic Python script for this Jam.
When you're done, download the .hex file and flash it to your micro:bit. Remember to give the script a memorable name!
Step Two: The Components
Lets take a look at the LED. Like any electronic component, it has to be connected the right way round.

Note that there's a long leg and a wee short leg. The long leg (anode) connects to the positive side. The short leg (cathode) connects to the negative, or Ground side.

Oh, and you'll notice that there's a small flat edge at the base of the LED. This also helps indicate the cathode. Connecting the LED to the power backwards is very likely to cause a puff of smoke to escape and your LED to mysteriously stop working...
Step Three: Wiring Up the Project
First things first make sure your micro:bit is powered down.

Use the crocodile clips to connect the short (negative) leg of the LED to one end of a 100 ohm resistor (it doesn't matter what end). Connect the other end of the resistor to GND on the micro:bit.

Lastly, connect the long leg of the LED to Pin 0 on the micro:bit. With the circuit complete, current will flow from Pin 0 to GND through the LED you've connected.

Now you've connected all of your components, it's time to test if it's all wired up and coded correctly! Power on your micro:bit and, all being well, your LED should be blinking on and off.

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Make It Digital - The How of Robotics: Making micro:bit Movie Stars - BBC

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You're going to use the Python editor on the micro:bit website for this jam. Click here to open the editor. Click here to view the basic Python script for this Jam. When you're done, download the .hex file and flash it to your micro:bit. Remember to give the script a memorable name!

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Air Guitar | Make and code activities, projects and apps to learn about technology | Technology Will Save Us

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Making with Micro:bit by Douglas Kiang & Mary R. Kiang on iBooks

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Read a free sample or buy Making with Micro:bit by Douglas Kiang & Mary R. Kiang. You can read this book with iBooks on your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Mac.

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A deck of cards packed with ideas for getting the most out of your BBC micro:bit. Pick a card and get started on your next project. What will you make next? These cards are a great way to kick start your next digital making workshop or class.

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Library of free resources

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Lessons and units of work for teaching with the BBC micro:bit, the pocket-sized computer transforming digital skills learning.

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The version of Python that the BBC micro:bit uses is called MicroPython. Click the links below to go to different sections of our MicroPython documentation which breaks down each feature your micro:bit can do using Python.

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Microbit Python Cheat Sheet with Code Snippets

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A list of functions, classes and methods for Python on the BBC Microbit

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microbit Lessons Overview:

This is a set of BBC microbit lessons I developed using Micro Python. It features six lessons in the form of PowerPoint workbooks.

You can either use the Python editor on the micro:bit website or you can download the offline Mu editor. The advantage of this is it can write files directly to the micro:bit, they don't have to be downloaded and copied manually.

The Mu editor can be downloaded here.

Equipment Required:

Workbooks:

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microbit Lessons Overview: This is a set of BBC microbit lessons I developed using Micro Python. It features six lessons in the form of PowerPoint workbooks. You can either use the Python editor on the micro:bit website or you can download the offline Mu editor.

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The "Mu" MicroPython editor for the BBC micro:bit

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A quick tour of the work completed so far. Almost feature complete.

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Create and arcade game for your micro:bit

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micro:arcade Kit: https://www.sparkfun.com/products/14218 Unleash your inner gamer with the micro:arcade kit, which includes the gamer:bit carrier board for the micro:bit along with a joystick and buttons create your own arcade cabinet. Our online tutorials guide you through creating your arcade setup and getting started programming games on the micro:bit.

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Product Showcase: SparkFun Inventor's Kit for micro:bit

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SparkFun Inventor's Kit for micro:bit: https://www.sparkfun.com/products/14300 The SIK for micro:bit is a great way to get started with the micro:bit. It contains the micro:bit board, a breadboard, a breakout board for the micro:bit, a servo, light sensor, LEDs, buttons, speaker, and resistors, which is everything you need to start exploring the hardware capabilities on the micro:bit.

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Create a weather station with your micro:bit

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micro:climate Kit: https://www.sparkfun.com/products/14217 The micro:climate Kit is a complete weather station for the budding citizen scientist! It contains all the parts needed to measure wind direction and speed, soil moisture levels, ground temperature, and rain levels. We've also included an OpenLog so you can collect your data for later analysis.

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Control up to 8 NeoPixels with micro:bit

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NeoPixel - BBC micro:bit MicroPython 0.0.1 documentation

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To connect a strip of neopixels you'll need to attach the micro:bit as shown below (assuming you want to drive the pixels from pin 0 - you can connect neopixels to pins 1 and 2 too). The label on the crocodile clip tells you where to attach the other end on the neopixel strip.

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Paper Circuits & microbit - Costellazioni

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Paper Circuits & microbit @codemtionkids Team Ecpliptica (Stella)

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Here you will find a central resource to all blogs that are written about using BitIO over the next few weeks /months: Blog 1: Getting ...

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Rishworth School Space Programme - First BBC micro:bit in near space

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The story of our launch day - 7th March 2016 After 6 months of planning and preparations by staff and students at Rishworth School, we launched to the stratosphere a payload containing two Raspberry Pi computers, camera equipment, various sensors and a BBC micro:bit.

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Here's a summary of my Python resources and projects for the BBC micro:bit which you may find useful... you'll need the Mu editor to flash some of these, especially the ones that use the radio module.

This entry was posted in BBC, computers, education, ICT, microbit and tagged BBCMicrobit, Microbit. Bookmark the permalink.

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UPDATED roundup of Python micro:bit resources

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Here's a summary of my Python resources and projects for the BBC micro:bit which you may find useful... you'll need the Mu editor to flash some of these, especially the ones that use the radio module. This entry was posted in BBC, computers, education, ICT, microbit and tagged BBCMicrobit, Microbit.

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For this challenge we are creating a game of Tetris to play on the BBC micro:bit.

The game will be based on the following four shapes:

The game will use the following inputs:

Button A: Move current brick to the left

Button B: Move current brick to the right

Button A and B simultaneously: Rotate current brick clockwise

Video Demo

The game will use the LED screen which consists of a 5×5 grid of 25 LEDs.
Each LED can be on (value: 9 for maximum brightness) or Off (value: 0)
The side/borders of the grid will note be displayed.

The Python code will use 2-dimension arrays (list of lists in Python) to store the main grid (7×5) and the current brick (2×2)

To test this code you will need to use the Python Editor from the micro:bit website.

Python Code

#Store a list of 4 bricks, each brick is a 2x2 grid

#select a brick randomly and position it at the center/top of the grid (y=0,x=3)

#A function to return the maximum of two values

#A function to hide the 2x2 brick on the LED screen

#A function to show the 2x2 brick on the LED screen

#A function to rotate the 2x2 brick

#Check if the rotation is possible

#A function to move/translate the brick

#Check if the move if possible: no collision with other blocks or borders of the grid

#If the move is possible, update x,y coordinates of the brick

#Return True or False to confirm if the move took place

#A function to check for and remove completed lines

#check each line one at a time

#If 5 blocks are filled in (9) then a line is complete (9*5=45)

#Increment the score (10 pts per line)

#Remove the line and make all lines above fall by 1:

#Main Program Loop - iterates every 50ms

#Every 15 frames try to move the brick down

#The move was not possible, the brick stays in position

#The brick has reached the top of the grid - Game Over

#select a new brick randomly

Note: When testing this code, you may want to remove some of the #annotations especially if your micro:bit returns a "memory full" error.

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For this challenge we are creating a game of Tetris to play on the BBC micro:bit. The game will be based on the following four shapes: The game will use the following inputs: Button A: Move current brick to the left Button B: Move current brick to the right Button A and B simultaneously: Rotate current brick clockwise Video Demo The game will use the LED screen which consists of a 5x5 grid of 25 LEDs.

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This collection of resources uses the context of human spaceflight to engage students with scientific concepts through computing technology. Each resource is supported by ready-to-run programs that are downloaded onto the micro:bit device from the internet. No programming skill is required, but each activity offers the chance of extending functionality and understanding by altering the existing code.

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Let's make some noise! It's the BBC micro:bit MusicFest

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Welcome to BBC micro:bit! This website will be your hub for all things micro:bit, from writing code to sharing your creations.

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With Experimental Extensions, you can create Scratch projects that connect with external hardware (such as electronic devices and robotics) and online resources (including web data and web services).

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In this tutorial you are going to connect your Microbit up to your Raspberry Pi and program them so that when your Microbit is shaken it creates an earthquake in Minecraft.

This is part of a workshop I delivered at PyConUK 2016 - download the complete worksheet.

You are going to connect your micro:bit's pins to the Raspberry Pi gpio pins using some cables and crocodile clips; programs on the micro@bit and Raspberry Pi will make Steve shake in Minecraft.

Install mu
To put you python program on your Micro:bit you will need the editor mu.

Open a Terminal (Menu > Accessories > Terminal) and type:

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install mu

Angry micro:bit
The first task is to program your micro:bit so it gets angry when it's shaken.

Connect your micro:bit to the Raspberry Pi using the USB cable.

Open mu to create a new Python program for your micro:bit by clicking on Menu > Programming > mu.

Click New and type the following code into the editor.

from microbit import *
while True:
    if accelerometer.current_gesture() == "shake":
        display.show(Image.ANGRY)
    else:
        display.show(Image.HAPPY)

Click Flash to put your program on your micro:bit.

When the yellow light on the back of your micro:bit stops flashing your program will run.
You should see a happy face on your micro:bit - until it's shaken!

Any errors will be scrolled on your micro:bit's leds; if you get an error check your code carefully.

Now you need to finish your micro:bit program so that it turns pin 0 on and off when it's shaken

Go back to Mu and modify your program so that it turns pins 0 on (1) and off (0) when shaken.

from microbit import *
while True:
    if accelerometer.current_gesture() == "shake":
        display.show(Image.ANGRY)
pin0.write_digital(1) else: display.show(Image.HAPPY)pin0.write_digital(0)

Click Flash to put your program on your micro:bit.
Connect it up
Next you will use a jumper cable and a crocodile clip to connect your micro:bit to the Raspberry Pi.

Connect the jumper cable to GPIO17 on the Raspberry Pi

Clip the crocodile clip to the end of the jumper cable

Clip the other end of the crocodile clip to pin0 on the micro:bit

Shake Steve
You now need to create your Minecraft program to shake Steve when the micro:bit is shaken and pin0 is set to 1.

Click Menu > Games > Minecraft: Pi Edition to run the game.

Click Start Game, then click Create New (or choose an existing one) to enter a world:

Press ESC to go back to the Minecraft menu but leave the game playing.

Open Python IDLE by clicking Menu > Programming > Python 3.

Use File > New Window to create a new program and save it as 'mc_micro.py'.

Type the following code into the program to import the modules you will need

from mcpi.minecraft import Minecraft
from gpiozero import DigitalInputDevice
from time import sleep

Create a connection to Minecraft using the code.

mc = Minecraft.create()

Post a message to the chat window.

mc.postToChat("Micromine bitcraft earthquake")

Run your program by clicking Run > Run Module.

You should see your message appear in the Minecraft chat window.

pin0 = DigitalInputDevice(17)

while True:
    sleep(0.1)
    pos = mc.player.getPos()

    if pin0.value == 1:
        pos.y = pos.y + 0.5
        mc.player.setPos(pos)

Can you change the program so that it creates a more realistic earthquake by adding random values to the x, y, z values.

Complete the worksheet from PyConUK 2016 which includes using the micro:bit buttons to makes blocks disappear and appear.

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In this tutorial you are going to connect your Microbit up to your Raspberry Pi and program them so that when your Microbit is shaken it creates an earthquake in Minecraft. This is part of a workshop I delivered at PyConUK 2016 - download the complete worksheet.

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Connect your micro:bit to the Raspberry Pi

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Use the pins or attach to breakout board for block based prototyping

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In this quick and easy project, you build a micro:bit moisture sensor. Find this and other hardware projects on Hackster.io.

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This is a quick differentiated activity (Jo Boaler calls it a low floor high ceiling activity) that can be used to warm students up to think more creatively.

The activity involves asking students to have 3/5 of the micro:bit's LEDs on. However, there's a catch - students have to think of way to represent 3/5 that no one else would think of. Students with unique fractions are declared the winner.

Why have this catch? It's a way to encourage students to think beyond their first and possibly more simplest thought. Since the question, "display 3/5 of the micro:bit's LEDs", is open ended, students may not want to go beyond their comfort zone and play is safe. This means students are not being creative nor taking risks, and risk taking (having a go) is an important part of learning - especially for mathematics. Essentially the catch helps push students to think towards the "ceiling" of their thinking and this activity.

Also, the students can think not just about fractions but also about combinatorics and probability. For example, some students may think about ordering the LEDs in such a way to minimise the chance someone else has the same ordering. Or other students may take the gamble of picking the most obvious answer in the hope that everyone else would not pick it because it is so obvious - a little bit of Game Theory. Having activities that connect or involve different mathematical concepts develop more meaningful learning.

Here are some example codes that students may produce to display 3/5 differently:

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This is a quick differentiated activity (Jo Boaler calls it a low floor high ceiling activity) that can be used to warm students up to think more creatively. The activity involves asking students to have 3/5 of the micro:bit's LEDs on.

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This Kitronik University course is part of the BBC micro:bit partnership and covers aspects of the BBC micro:bit including an overview of what it is, what our role is and of course tutorials to let you get started using it within Design & Technology.

This course is still being written so check back regularly, or subscribe to our newsletter to be kept informed of updates.

Course Contents:
BBC micro:bit Overview: Getting Started with The BBC microbit: Free E-Textiles sample packs: E-Textiles tutorials: Using the expansion connector with electronics: Inventors Kit Experiments: 3D Printing: Laser Cutting:

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This Kitronik University course is part of the BBC micro:bit partnership and covers aspects of the BBC micro:bit including an overview of what it is, what our role is and of course tutorials to let you get started using it within Design & Technology.

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This course is targeted to middle school grades 6-8 (ages 11-14 years). It is also written for teachers who may not have a Computer Science background, or who may be teaching an “Intro to Computer Science” course for the first time.

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Explore micro:bit's community hub to learn and share about their products! Join 198 hardware developers who follow micro:bit on Hackster.

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The BBC micro:bit is a credit card sized micro-controller designed to teach youngsters how to code.

MyMiniFactory is a community platform for the sharing of 3D printable files and is the official 3D printing partner for the micro:bit. Below you can find a selection of 3D printing projects for the device, these are all free to download and 3D print!

Make use of these at home or in the classroom. Anyone is free to contribute their own micro:bit 3D printing projects to MyMiniFactory so that others can share in the fun! Simply use the share button at the top right of this page to get involved.

Find out more about the BBC micro:bit here

Find out more about MyMiniFactory here

If you have any questions, or would like to contribute in any way, please feel free to get in touch: info@myminifactory.com

Happy printing!

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Kategorie - BBC micro:bit. Download and 3D print designs for the micro:bit device. The micro:bit is a credit card sized microcomputer given out to one million school kids across the United Kingdom.

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micro:bit Projects by Lorraine Underwood

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micro:bit Projects by Lorraine Underwood

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January 2018: My current BIG project is my RGB LED cube. Follow my overall progress here: Cube Below is a list of all my projects Hacking the bareables badge How to connect wires to the micro:bit micro:bit RGB box micro:bit sound sensing hoodie micro:bit Harry Potter sorting hat VR controlled camera micro:bit hoodie micro:bit indicator...

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microbit " Adafruit Industries - Makers, hackers, artists, designers and engineers!

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"Participation in computing is not only about having access but also having quality curricula and pedagogy." (Kafai & Burke, 2013, p. 64). Effective pedagogy can only "occur when computer programming allows children to produce, collaborate, and repurpose content that is personally meaningful." (Kafai & Burke, 2013, p. 64).

You can use [the] micro:bit for all sorts of cool creations, from robots to musical instruments - the possibilities are endless. This little device has an awful lot of features, like 25 red LED lights that can flash messages. There are two programmable buttons that can be used to control games or pause and skip songs on a playlist. Your BBC micro:bit can detect motion and tell you which direction you're heading in, and it can use a low energy Bluetooth connection to interact with other devices and the Internet - clever!
Source: http://microbit.org/about/

stem-acceleration-teacher-notes (PDF)stem-learning-plant-growth-teacher-notes (PDF)stem-reaction-time-teacher-notes (PDF)stem-visual-perception-teacher-notes (PDF)

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"Participation in computing is not only about having access but also having quality curricula and pedagogy." (Kafai & Burke, 2013, p. 64). Effective pedagogy can only "occur when computer programming allows children to produce, collaborate, and repurpose content that is personally meaningful." (Kafai & Burke, 2013, p. 64).

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Doctor Who lessons for micro:bit

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The BBC micro:bit. Code and create with the pocket sized computer to learn and develop digital skills.

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Find free micro:bit lessons

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This resource was used for Year 7 Computing following a unit involving learning about variables, selection, iteration and random number generation using the Microbit. They loved playing the game, especially as they helped to create it! The idea is to have them use the Microbit as part of the board game.

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A free newsletter to stay up-to-date with the latest news, articles, projects, and resources for the micro:bit.

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The MicroBit is a small programmable device for children created by the BBC (in partnership with various other organisations, such as the PSF). This mailing list is for discussion of Python on MicroBit related topics. Respectful yet robust argument is most welcome. Engagement with humour and intelligence wins every time.

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Pair up your Android phone or tablet with micro:bit, and turn your device into your personal gadget in 6 awesome projects.

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Read reviews, compare customer ratings, see screenshots, and learn more about micro:bit. Download micro:bit and enjoy it on your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.

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Get creative, get coding, get connected - The official app for micro:bit.

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Kitronik is the Foundation's partner for our sponsorship program and a micro:bit reseller and wholesale partner. They have a range of additional peripeharals and have donated 5,500 e-textile sewing kits, with conductive thread, to Design and Technology teachers, helping to highlight how the BBC micro:bit can be used to control other items, including additional LED lights.