Embedded Files
Welcome to Micro:bit!
Micro:bit is a very small microcontroller board - meaning it can be programmed to control components such as blinking an LED, making a motor spin to turn a fan or wheel, and using sensors to determine how other components are used, like dimming a light or avoiding an obstacle. These microcontrollers are being used by kids and adults all over the world to make, create, prototype and invent.
The micro:bit was invented in the UK (United Kingdom/England), a country in Europe, by an organization called the BBC. (British Broadcasting Corporation) as an educational tool to introduce computer coding and robotics. They are very versatile - they can be coded using 3 different coding languages: a form of visual language known as Blockly coding, or text-based programming languages JavaScript, or Python.
Let’s learn our way around the hardware first, shall we?
If you want to explore more on your own: https://microbit.org/get-started/what-is-the-microbit/
Review the tabs at the top of that page: "What is the micro:bit?", "First steps", "User guide" and "Home learning" There is so much more these boards can do, we can't cover in just one week!
There are many ways to connect our components to our micro:bit. The simplest way is alligator (or sometimes called crocodile) jumper wires.
Be sure that when you connect your alligator clip jumper wires, you keep the alligator clip in-between the lines marking each port!
Be sure that when you connect your alligator clip jumper wires, you keep the alligator clip in-between the lines marking each port!
Included is a 3D printed spacer that was found, downloaded from Thingiverse 3D models website.
You may notice there are only 3 ports - 0, 1, and 2. So does that mean you can only connect 3 components total?
You may notice there are only 3 ports - 0, 1, and 2. So does that mean you can only connect 3 components total?
Nope! With a "break-out board" and a prototyping breadboard, the sky is the limit! (almost...) The breakout board give you access to all the extra ports - the tiny spaces between 0, 1, 2, 3v and GND!
Nope! With a "break-out board" and a prototyping breadboard, the sky is the limit! (almost...) The breakout board give you access to all the extra ports - the tiny spaces between 0, 1, 2, 3v and GND!
There are many versions by different companies, so you may see different looking breakout boards in some of the examples. Your keyestudio's inventors' kit includes one pictured below. Placing the micro:bit in the breakout allows us to use the breadboard to access all the other "ports" in between the 5 main ports (0, 1, 2, 3volt and Ground).
There are many versions by different companies, so you may see different looking breakout boards in some of the examples. Your keyestudio's inventors' kit includes one pictured below. Placing the micro:bit in the breakout allows us to use the breadboard to access all the other "ports" in between the 5 main ports (0, 1, 2, 3volt and Ground).
Jumper wires are used to temporarily connect components and boards. They can easily be removed and so they are great for prototyping and testing circuits.
Some Jumper Wires are intended specifically to be used with breadboards and some types of microcontrollers that have pin-holes built into them (such as Arduinos or Raspberry Pi boards).
There are many types of jumper wires, the most common are:
male-to-male (both ends have pins),
male-to-female (one side has a pin, the other a hole) and
female-to-female (both sides have holes for pins),
Alligator-clip jumper wires are also used, especially with micro:bits. They have pinch-clips on either one or both ends that can be clipped directly onto the metal tabs of the microbit, or lead wires from components.
Male-to–male are used most often, but some components have pins so female-to-male jumpers connect directly to the pins. Also, if we need a longer jumper, connecting a female-to-male to our male-to-male can extend it. Your inventors' kit comes with a supply of jumper wires.
click to find more about Jumper Wires
IMPORTANT INFORMATION - about providing enough power to your components!!!
When using sensors and motors, you will often need more power than the 3 volts the micro:bit can supply. Your kit comes with the Keyestudio Breadboard Power Supply Module and it is perfect for prototyping as it allows you to add 3 volt and 5 volt power directly to your breadboard's positive and ground rails. Now you can power your breadboard using a 9v barrel jack power adapter, the 9v (4AA) battery holder (that comes with your kit) or a USB cable directly from your computer.
Click HERE to go to the next page
Page updated
Report abuse