First, Coding with micro:bit
introduces you to the hardware and software features of the BBC micro:bit,
including the built-in microphone, speaker, and touch sensor added in micro:bit
version 2. You’ll learn new skills such as how to code your micro:bit to play
music, send messages, display pictures, and detect light.
Getting started: This
section gives you a tour of the micro:bit and gets you started with coding your
first program.
Basics: Here, you’ll
learn to display images and text on the micro:bit’s LED grid.
Inputs: This section
shows you how to work with the input systems on the micro:bit, like the
buttons, the accelerometer, and the light sensor.
Once you’ve mastered these skills, the book guides
you through 10 exciting projects, including a temperature sensor, simple
interactive games, and even an alarm system!
- The 99 game:
This first project is a game of chance that involves throwing the micro:bit
among a group of people. You’ll learn more about coding, like using variables
and control flow techniques.
- Heads or tails:
In this project, you’ll use the LED grid and accelerometer to create a “coin
toss” generator that detects when you flip your micro:bit, and displays heads
or tails.
- Steady hand game:
This game challenges you to hold your micro:bit in your hand as long as you can
without wobbling. You’ll also learn more about the micro:bit’s abilities and
other fundamental coding techniques.
- Temperature display:
Here, you’ll use the micro:bit’s built-in temperature sensor to detect the
temperature and scroll it across the LED grid.
- LED control:
In this project, you’ll learn how to wire up an external LED and control it
with code. This exercise teaches you about using the micro:bit with other
components so you can build even bigger projects.
- Trespasser alarm:
By connecting a speaker to your micro:bit, you’ll create an alarm system that
detects when someone has broken into your room and alerts you by playing a
tune.
- Fortune teller:
This project ramps up the coding complexity, showing you how to program your
micro:bit to tell your fortune just like a Magic 8-Ball!
- Compass: Here,
you’ll turn the micro:bit into a real working compass using its built-in
magnetometer.
- Radio communication:
In this project you’ll use two micro:bits to send and receive radio messages.
- Bag alarm:
Using your radio skills from the previous project combined with the
accelerometer, you’ll build a bag alarm with two micro:bits. The first
micro:bit stays inside your bag and alerts a second micro:bit in your pocket if
someone tries to steal your bag.
Each project has been designed to work with both
versions of the micro:bit.
You’ll find “Try This” sections that suggest other
ways for you to try out your new knowledge. These ideas will inspire you to
build your own projects with the micro:bit.
So whether you’re a coding newbie, or you think you know it
all, grab your micro:bit and let’s get coding!
Dan Aldred is a Computer Science teacher and a freelance resource writer and hacker. He has championed the use of the Raspberry Pi as a tool for learning and creativity and is a Raspberry Pi Certified educator. Dan led the winning team of students for the first Astro Pi competition, whose code is now orbiting Earth aboard the ISS. Dan has authored a set of international micro:bit teaching resources with ARM and hacked Scratch with a Microsoft Kinnect for an open evening at school and invited all the students to dance. Dan currently resides in the UK. Dan runs the TeCoEd website (www.tecoed.co.uk) and also a YouTube channel.
