F-3 Microbits

F-3 microbit cube

The microbit is a computer with Inputs, Processor and Outputs. Today, you students will use the microbit's Inputs and Outputs to create a fidget cube.

OBJECTIVES: By the end of this lesson, students will:

    • Identify the microbit as a computer: Input; Processor; Output.

    • identify inputs: tilt right, tilt left, logo up, logo down.

    • Use multiple inputs to trigger multiple outputs.

TEACHER RESOURCES

Do Now (5 minutes)

    • What did Rishworth school do with the microbit?

    • What data were they able to track? (Temperature)

      • Is temperature one the inputs on the microbit? (Yes)

TEACHER GUIDANCE:

    • Rishworth school sent a microbit (20 miles) into space attached to a helium balloon.

    • Students were able to track temperature in space using the microbit.

    • Temperature is a sensor input on the microbit, commands for temperature can be found under sensors.

More details of the project including code, can be found here.

Mini-Lesson (5 minute Demo)

1. Explore features of the microbit. Scavenger hunt to find some inputs and outputs.

Examples of Inputs: Button A, Button B, Button A and B. Sensors: Motion (shake and tilt up, tilt down, logo up, logo down), temperature and light.

Examples of Outputs: LEDs.

Examples of Input and Outputs: The strips of metal along the bottom edge of the BBC micro are input/output pins.

Attach alligator clips to these pins to hookup the microbit to speakers or headphones or servo motors.

Communication through Radio wave and Bluetooth. Microbits can talk to each other!

2. Build fidget cube with partner: student handout

Students need 4 Inputs:

    • Button A pressed, Button B pressed

    • Button A and B pressed together

    • Shake, Tilt Up, Tilt Down, Logo Up,

    • Logo Down, Screen Up, Screen Down

Students need 4 Outputs:

    • LED displays

Build hardware using craft material. Use color paper and tape to build a wallet style holder or cube for microbit and it's battery pack.

3. Share fidget cube with another team. Gather feedback and ideas and iterate.

Close-Out (5 minutes)

    1. Discuss the following questions:

      • Is the Microbit a standalone computer? (Yes, it has inputs, a processor and outputs)

      • Name some inputs and outputs? Inputs ( Buttons, tilt, shake, light and temperature, communication, pins). Outputs ( Led lights, communication, pins).

Standards CSTA

    • CSTA 2-CS-01 : Recommend improvements to the design of computing devices, based on an analysis of how users interact with the devices.