Workshop Microbit - Outline

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0. Introductions, intro to FabLab EDP

1. Intro to microbit: What is it, what can it do, and what is it good for?

   Open-source embedded development platform, launched by the BBC in the UK in 2015 for getting kids into programming, in the spirit of the BBC Micro computer of the 1980s.
   Around 1M microbits were donated to UK school children by the BBC.
   https://microbit.org/get-started/user-guide/overview/

2. Example 1a. Level

   https://makecode.microbit.org/_b0TTY3fqTaFp
   Simple overview of MakeCode
   Use chrome in order to use webUSB to flash the microbit directly
   Input using accelerometer
   Output to LED matrix
   Basic logic

3. Example 1b. Programmable Level

   https://makecode.microbit.org/_2ie6ToRdpgA8
   Input using buttons
   Use of variables

4. Technical overview of the microbit hardware.

   How is it different to Arduino? Raspberry Pi?
   What is MicroPython? What is the advantage over programming in Arduino?
   The Microbit Python editor. Also, what is the REPL? https://python.microbit.org/v/2
   Compare with Adafruit Circuit Playground: https://www.adafruit.com/product/3333, https://makecode.adafruit.com/ (CircuitPython instead of MicroPython)
   What is MakeCode? Blocks based visual programming tool for education, developed by microsoft and inspired by MIT Scratch and other similar tools. Began as Microsoft Programming Experience Toolkit (PXT). www.makecode.com
   Makecode can also be used with other hardware platforms: https://maker.makecode.com/

5. Example 2. Air Piano

   https://makecode.microbit.org/_gFqhxWJp7KHW
   Playing tones
   Using LEDs and light sensor
   Mapping light values to tone frequencies
   Using light values to pick predefined tones from an array

6. Example 3. Tennis

   https://makecode.microbit.org/_Vjx9CCWVRPe8
   Radio send and receive
   Using a variable to manage states

7. Example 4. Red Light Green Light

   https://makecode.microbit.org/_Vjx9CCWVRPe8
   different programs running on different microbits
   microbit multi editor

8. Sharing projects and Git integration

   MakeCode does not require a login to use, but you can associate your session with a github account
   Read-only browser for projects with github repositories https://makecode.com/github-explorer

9. Review some suppliers and resources for teachers

   Microbit classroom: https://classroom.microbit.org

10. Extra examples:

    • 5. Hot Potato https://github.com/fablabedp/hot_potato
    • 6. Paper Rock Scissors https://github.com/fablabedp/paper-rock-scissors_radio