software resources for science and technology education
LEARNING PATHWAY -
Having built up programming skills with the Exercises, you will be ready to experiment with connecting components to the micro:bit. You can connect input sensors as and use them to control output devices. A simple kit which you can make for yourself uses a temperature sensor or a light sensor for controlling a buzzer or a set of three LEDs. Start with the ‘Switches and Sensors’ tutorial, then try out the Mr Bit Experiments as shown here.
START Tutorial
How to use sensors and devices with Mr Bit
Make a buzzer bleep on and off
Make six short bleeps like a radio time signal
Make pairs of bleeps like a telephone
These experiments give a taste of the ways in which you can use sensors to control outputs. Have a look again at the Mr Bit Exercises and think how you might use a temperature or light sensor input instead of or as well as a button or a gesture.
Some harder experiments to try
Choose one of the paths below
Make a yellow LED flash on and off
Make a sequence of flashing LEDs
Make the traffic light sequence with LEDs
Show the light level value on the micro:bit LEDs
Show a ‘Light’ or ‘Dark’ message
Show the light level as a bar graph
Show the temperature on the micro:bit LEDs
Show a ‘Hot’ or ‘Cold’ message
Show the temperature as a line graph
Count when a shadow covers the light sensor
Show weather messages on the LEDs
Make an alarm sound when light gets blocked
Light LEDs to show when it is not too dark
Light LEDs to show hot, cold and comfortable
Sound the buzzer when it is too hot or too cold
Remember also that there are sensors built into the micro:bit. You can use those sensors instead of the temperature and light sensors. Copy the ideas in the Mr Bit Experiments to show readings, plot graphs, show messages, count events, and so on. Let your imagination be your guide!
© 2024 Insight Resources