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Project aims
Project aims
To develop my existing knowledge of the science and engineering behind renewable energy sources.
To learn how to carry out an investigation into the efficiency of electricity generation.
To learn about the impending energy crisis and how it can be avoided.
To learn about electronics.
(Why am I doing this?)
(Why am I doing this?)
So that I can understand my own role as a consumer of energy.
So that I can make choices based upon scientific facts and evidence.
So that I will be more aware of how my decisions and actions as a consumer affect others.
So that I can design, make and fix my own devices without having to buy new every time.
Click to download a VOC box for every time you learn a new word.
Click to download a peer and self-assessment sheet for when you need to reflect upon your work.
Click the image to learn about the BBC MicroBit.
Design Folio (Yr 8 Microcontrollers).pdfCalling all home learners!
If you are working from home, you may wish to print off and work your way through this booklet which contains a shortened list of activities which we follow online in-class. Calling all home learners!
Introduction
Introduction
This topic is intended to provide a challenging, yet fun opportunity for people who enjoy learning to develop skills in problem solving and computational thinking.
It complements the digital technology curriculum by enabling learners to prototype a series of practical outcomes by planning, testing and refining the programming for a digital compass, Morse code radio transceiver and finally a robotic buggy.
Have you ever wondered how photos and images are displayed electronically? Watch the video to see how the founders of Instagram use binary numbers.
What is electricity and how does it 'work'?
What is electricity and how does it 'work'?
All electronic devices require a source of energy to function. In this case; electricity.
Let's have a look at what electricity is in a bit more detail.
How electricity works.mp4What's this topic all about?
What's this topic all about?
We will be learning about computational thinking and problem solving through understanding how electronic devices work. This is done through the use of microcontrollers and processors. Your first question is probably - 'What's a microcontroller?' Let's find out.
Lesson Topics
Lesson Topics
Before we can 'dive in' and learn about how to program electronics, it is a good idea to learn a little about how electricity and electronics work. The icons below will take you to the topics we will be studying and their individual lessons.
2 - Ohm's Law
3 - Series and Parallel
4 - Resistance and Resistors
5 - Drawing Electronic Circuits
6 - Anatomy of a Smartphone (DR)
7 - Microcontrollers Introduction
8 - What is an Algorithm? (JE)
9 - Programming Loops
10 - Logic Gates (DR)
11 - PIC Microcontrollers
12 - Binary & Hexadecimal (DR)
13 - Trilateration and GPS (DR)
14 - The Internet of Things
What is a MicroBit?
What is a MicroBit?
There are many types of Microcontroller. The BBC MicroBit is just one type, which is commonly used in schools to help teach programming. The MicroBit is a compact, integrated circuit which contains a central processing unit (CPU, which can be thought of as the brain of the circuit), an array of LED's, two switches and a number of input sensors. It can be programmed in many ways. It is useful to understand the parts of a MicroBit. These are pictured below.
Click here to learn more about the BBC MicroBit.
What can a MicroBit do?
What can a MicroBit do?
A MicroBit is able to 'sense' temperature, pressure, magnetism, light, and motion through acceleration. The videos below give a brief overview of each.
Temperature (heat)
MicroBit Temperature Sensor.mp4Pressure (touch)
MicroBit Touch Sensor.mp4Magnetism (compass)
MicroBit Magnetometer.mp4Light
MicroBit Light Sensor.mp4Accelerometer (motion)
MicroBit Accelerometer.mp4Click here to view the BBC MicroBit sensor programming activities on the official MicroBit website.
MicroBit Challenges
MicroBit Challenges
To program the MicroBit in-class, we shall be learning to use Microsoft 'MakeCode'. This is a block-based Integrated Development Environment (IDE). It is similar to scratch and can be used to convert your program via 'Javascript' into a 'HEX' file (machine code) which the MicroBit will understand.
These challenges are designed to develop your 'computational thinking', that is your ability to problem solve logically. They are arranged in order of difficulty.
Step 1). Click the image on the right to take you to the programming challenges.
Step 2) Click here to go to the Microsoft MakeCode website to start coding.
Step 3. Pull out the tabs as separate windows and press WIN+ARROW KEYS to arrange your windows side by side (so you can view them).
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