Coding with the micro:bit

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.

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!

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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!
8. Compass: Here, you’ll turn the micro:bit into a real working compass using its built-in magnetometer.
9. Radio communication: In this project you’ll use two micro:bits to send and receive radio messages.
10. 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.