Introduction to Physical Computing with micro:bit

In this first lesson, students will be introduced to their micro:bit device and the MakeCode editor, where they will build and test programs throughout the course. They will also be guided through the process to download programs from the editor to their device and will learn a few basic commands to get started writing micro:bit programs.

In this lesson, students will take a deeper look at developing, testing, and running programs on the micro:bit simulator and on their devices. They will learn how the 5x5 grid system is laid out and will utilize more commands to light specific LEDs on the screen.

In this lesson, students will learn about comments and pseudocode, why they are important, and how they help organize and plan programs. They will also learn the basic difference between analog and digital components and how to use the plotBrightness and clearScreen commands in their programs.

In this lesson, students will build their first physical circuit using their micro:bit devices. They will learn to use variables to control components, along with the analogWritePin and digitalWritePin commands.

In this lesson, students review content with a 15 question Unit Quiz.

In this lesson, students will connect a speaker to their physical circuit to play music using their micro:bit! They will learn to use for loops to control components, along with the playNote command.

In this lesson, students will learn how to use the built-in buttons to control their programs and will learn to use while loops to control components.

In this lesson, students will learn about sensors and why they are so important in physical computing. They will use various internal sensors to detect attributes of the micro:bit’s environment and write programs that will complete certain tasks based on these values.

In this lesson, students will connect a micro servo motor to their physical circuit and control its location using their device. They will learn to use conditionals to control components, along with the servoWritePin command.

In this lesson, students will use their first external sensor, an ultrasonic range finder, to measure distance and control components in the programs. They will develop and use functions with and without parameters to more clearly organize their code and make it more reusable.

In this lesson, students review content with a 14 question Unit Quiz.

In this lesson, students will learn why and how breadboards are used to build more complex circuits. They will experiment with different built-in Gestures and will use all of the concepts they’ve learned up to this point to complete their first larger projects- a digital watch and an Inchworm.

In this lesson, students will research, develop, and present a lesson to their peers on the use of a new sensor with their micro:bit devices.

Students will get a chance to follow instructions written by someone they’ve never met to replicate a project in this lesson. They will then evaluate and improve these directions to make them more effective for a target audience.

In this final lesson, students will put together all of the concepts learned throughout the course to create a project of their choice. They will work individually, or with partners or groups to creatively develop a program of their choosing.