Coding with the micro:bit - Create Cool Programming Projects

First, Coding with micro:bitintroduces you to the hardware and software features of the BBC micro:bit,including the built-in microphone, speaker, and touch sensor added in micro:bitversion 2. You’ll learn new skills such as how to code your micro:bit to playmusic, send messages, display pictures, and detect light.

Getting started: Thissection gives you a tour of the micro:bit and gets you started with coding yourfirst program.

Basics: Here, you’lllearn to display images and text on the micro:bit’s LED grid.

Inputs: This sectionshows you how to work with the input systems on the micro:bit, like thebuttons, the accelerometer, and the light sensor.

Once you’ve mastered these skills, the book guidesyou through 10 exciting projects, including a temperature sensor, simpleinteractive games, and even an alarm system!

1. The 99 game:This first project is a game of chance that involves throwing the micro:bitamong a group of people. You’ll learn more about coding, like using variablesand control flow techniques.
2. Heads or tails:In this project, you’ll use the LED grid and accelerometer to create a “cointoss” generator that detects when you flip your micro:bit, and displays headsor tails.
3. Steady hand game:This game challenges you to hold your micro:bit in your hand as long as you canwithout wobbling. You’ll also learn more about the micro:bit’s abilities andother fundamental coding techniques.
4. Temperature display:Here, you’ll use the micro:bit’s built-in temperature sensor to detect thetemperature 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 itwith code. This exercise teaches you about using the micro:bit with othercomponents so you can build even bigger projects.
6. Trespasser alarm:By connecting a speaker to your micro:bit, you’ll create an alarm system thatdetects when someone has broken into your room and alerts you by playing atune.
7. Fortune teller:This project ramps up the coding complexity, showing you how to program yourmicro: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-inmagnetometer.
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 theaccelerometer, you’ll build a bag alarm with two micro:bits. The firstmicro:bit stays inside your bag and alerts a second micro:bit in your pocket ifsomeone tries to steal your bag.

Each project has been designed to work with bothversions of the micro:bit.

You’ll find “Try This” sections that suggest otherways for you to try out your new knowledge. These ideas will inspire you tobuild your own projects with the micro:bit.

So whether you’re a coding newbie, or you think you know itall, grab your micro:bit and let’s get coding!

First, Coding with micro:bitintroduces you to the hardware and software features of the BBC micro:bit,including the built-in microphone, speaker, and touch sensor added in micro:bitversion 2. You’ll learn new skills such as how to code your micro:bit to playmusic, send messages, display pictures, and detect light.

Getting started: Thissection gives you a tour of the micro:bit and gets you started with coding yourfirst program.

Basics: Here, you’lllearn to display images and text on the micro:bit’s LED grid.

Inputs:: This sectionshows you how to work with the input systems on the micro:bit, like thebuttons, the accelerometer, and the light sensor.

Once you’ve mastered these skills, the book guidesyou through 10 exciting projects, including a temperature sensor, simpleinteractive games, and even an alarm system!

1. The 99 game:This first project is a game of chance that involves throwing the micro:bitamong a group of people. You’ll learn more about coding, like using variablesand control flow techniques.
2. Heads or tails:In this project, you’ll use the LED grid and accelerometer to create a “cointoss” generator that detects when you flip your micro:bit, and displays headsor tails.
3. Steady hand game:This game challenges you to hold your micro:bit in your hand as long as you canwithout wobbling. You’ll also learn more about the micro:bit’s abilities andother fundamental coding techniques.
4. Temperature display:Here, you’ll use the micro:bit’s built-in temperature sensor to detect thetemperature 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 itwith code. This exercise teaches you about using the micro:bit with othercomponents so you can build even bigger projects.
6. Trespasser alarm:By connecting a speaker to your micro:bit, you’ll create an alarm system thatdetects when someone has broken into your room and alerts you by playing atune.
7. Fortune teller:This project ramps up the coding complexity, showing you how to program yourmicro: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-inmagnetometer.
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 theaccelerometer, you’ll build a bag alarm with two micro:bits. The firstmicro:bit stays inside your bag and alerts a second micro:bit in your pocket ifsomeone tries to steal your bag.

Each project has been designed to work with bothversions 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 tobuild 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.