How to Program micro:bit
About 3 hours
Ages 8+
What Will You Make?
We will create a coded badge with our micro:bit which we can wear everywhere, and have fun with the code. We will start by making a basic version, creating sequences with the Micro:bit leds
What Will You Learn?
We will take our first steps in programming, we will learn to program the LEDs, to experiment with the micro:bit code.
Program Your micro:bit
Step 1
In order to program your micro:bit using blocks, we are going to go to https://makecode.microbit.org/ and click on “New Project”.
Step 2
Now we see our workspace, divided into three:
Left: This is our simulator, where we can see our code work.
Middle: this is the blocks menu
Right: Here we will work with our code and logic.
Step 3
The first thing we are going to do is go to the menu – “Basic” and select the “Show Icon” block and drag it into our “forever” block, wait a moment and in the simulator section we can see the result.
We click on “Show Icon” and it displays the different options for our LEDs, we choose the happy face and in a few moments we see the change in the simulator.
Step 4
Now we will create an icon from scratch, we want to make our own. Let’s go “Basic” and choose “show leds” and drag it to the “forever” block and remove our “show Icon”. And we draw by clicking on the led matrix.
Step 5
Now we are going to combine them, we are going to put our “show leds” in “on start”, We are going to menu – “Basic” we take the block “pause (ms) 100”, we place it after “show leds” , and we put our “show icon” inside the “forever” block.
Step 6
We see the result in our simulator. In the simulator section, at the bottom of the micro:Bit we have some buttons, the second button is to restart the emulator.
Step 7
Now we can experiment, for example with the pause time, we click on “pause (ms) 100” and select the time we would like.
Step 8
To download the code, we connect our micro:bit to the computer and click on the three dots next to the Download button, select “Connect device”, and follow the instructions to download it.
Ready we can see the result in our micro:bit.
Resources
Media
What Is Happening Here?
Getting Started with MakeCode
We are taking our first steps in programming using a block language, using the combination of these we can create sequences.
Also something amazing about MakeCode, is that you can also program in JavaScript and Python, which allows us to explore different ways of solving problems.
What Is Next?
More micro:bit Projects
You can experiment with sequences, and even create little animations to personalize your badge. You can also check out the other projects in the Maker Camp library, to create a voice recognition AI to turn on your LEDs, or even create a crochet badge to include your micro:bit.
About MoonMakers
MoonMakers — led by Camila and Diego Luna — are a community of creators passionate about knowledge. A Makerspace, an open space with different digital manufacturing machines. And a YouTube channel where we promote science, technology and the maker movement.
MoonMakers have collaborated with companies such as: Sesame Street, Make Community and in Mexico with Educational Television and Fundación Televisa, creating educational content.
We have given workshops throughout the Mexican Republic with: Talent Land, Secretary of Education in Jalisco, Conacyt, Centro Cultural España.
Materials:
- Micro:bit
- Battery base
- Batteries
- micro USB to USB cable
Maker Camp Project Standards
Based on NGSS (Next Generation Science Standards)
National Core Arts Standards
The National Core Arts Standards are a process that guides educators in providing a unified quality arts education for students in Pre-K through high school. These standards provide goals for Dance, Media Arts, Music, Theatre, and Visual Arts with cross-cutting anchors in Creating, Performing, Responding, and Connecting through art. The Anchor Standards include:- Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work.
- Organize and develop artistic ideas and work.
- Refine and complete artistic work.
- Select, analyze, and interpret artistic work for presentation.
- Develop and refine artistic techniques and work for presentation.
- Convey meaning through the presentation of artistic work.
- Perceive and analyze artistic work.
- Interpret intent and meaning in artistic work.
- Apply criteria to evaluate artistic work.
- Synthesize and relate knowledge and personal experiences to make art.
- Relate artistic ideas and works with societal, cultural, and historical context to deepen understanding.
National Core Arts Standards
The National Core Arts Standards are a process that guides educators in providing a unified quality arts education for students in Pre-K through high school. Also see Standards with cross-cutting anchors in Creating, Performing, Responding, and Connecting through art for Visual Arts.K–12 Computer Science Framework
The K–12 Computer Science Framework is designed to guide computer science from a subject for the fortunate few to an opportunity for all. The guiding practices include:- Fostering an Inclusive Computing Culture
- Collaborating Around Computing
- Recognizing and Defining Computational Problems
- Developing and Using Abstractions
- Creating Computational Artifacts
- Testing and Refining Computational Artifacts
- Communicating About Computing
NGSS MS.Engineering Design
The Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) are K–12 science content standards.- MS-ETS1-1. Define the criteria and constraints of a design problem with sufficient precision to ensure a successful solution, taking into account relevant scientific principles and potential impacts on people and the natural environment that may limit possible solutions.
- MS-ETS1-2. Evaluate competing design solutions using a systematic process to determine how well they meet the criteria and constraints of the problem.
- MS-ETS1-3. Analyze data from tests to determine similarities and differences among several design solutions to identify the best characteristics of each that can be combined into a new solution to better meet the criteria for success.
- MS-ETS1-4. Develop a model to generate data for iterative testing and modification of a proposed object, tool, or process such that an optimal design can be achieved.
NGSS HS.Engineering Design
The Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) are K–12 science content standards.- HS-ETS1-1. Analyze a major global challenge to specify qualitative and quantitative criteria and constraints for solutions that account for societal needs and wants.
- HS-ETS1-2. Design a solution to a complex real-world problem by breaking it down into smaller, more manageable problems that can be solved through engineering.
- HS-ETS1-3. Evaluate a solution to a complex real-world problem based on prioritized criteria and trade-offs that account for a range of constraints, including cost, safety, reliability, and aesthetics as well as possible social, cultural, and environmental impacts.
- HS-ETS1-4. Use a computer simulation to model the impact of proposed solutions to a complex real-world problem with numerous criteria and constraints on interactions within and between systems relevant to the problem.
NGSS 3-5.Engineering Design
The Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) are K–12 science content standards.- 3-5-ETS1-1. Define a simple design problem reflecting a need or a want that includes specified criteria for success and constraints on materials, time, or cost.
- 3-5-ETS1-2. Generate and compare multiple possible solutions to a problem based on how well each is likely to meet the criteria and constraints of the problem.
- 3-5-ETS1-3. Plan and carry out fair tests in which variables are controlled and failure points are considered to identify aspects of a model or prototype that can be improved.
