Greetings!

We are using the BBC Micro:bit in some of our sessions this summer with the 2021 Virtual Discovery Lab. This site is meant to provide information about the Micro:bit and various projects. The packet booklet has basic introductory information, but extra videos and projects will be placed here.

An Introduction to the BBC Micro:bit

The Micro:bit, created by the BBC, is a great little computer for learning how to code. The inexpensive (about $17) board has a microcontroller (the brains), a 25-LED "screen" and lots of little sensors built in. The accelerometer can detect when the board is tilted or shaken. There are two buttons, a light level sensor, a compass, a thermometer, a radio transceiver, and Bluetooth all built into this tiny little board! Using the pins at the bottom you can also attach to other sensors and output devices.

What is so cool about the Micro:bit is that there are lots of different, free ways to program it. Makecode allows programming the Micro:bit using block coding, sort of like Scratch. Makecode can also use Javascript for coding. For those looking for a higher level language, micropython is available for the Micro:bit. On the lower end, there is also an extension for the Scratch Programming environment that lets you get information from and send information to your Micro:bit. You can turn it into a tiny game controller!

Our emphasis will be using Makecode and the block programming to start learning how to program the Micro:bit. This can be done using a laptop, a smartphone, or a tablet. It is easiest to have it connected to the internet, but there are downloadable programs for laptops that can work without being on the network.

Using the Servo

The servo motor allows you to add motion to the capabilities to your Micro:bit with a minimum of programming. Most servo motors are set up to go to specific angles between 0° and 180° on command (more realistically 20° to 160°).

Details on setting up the servo motor can be found on the Servo Page.

Projects

There are a variety of projects that we have suggested. They can be accessed through the menu at the top or through the links provided here.

Contact

If you have questions regarding this material, feel free to contact me (Mark Lucas) at mark@ovmod.org.