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Lesson 3: Compass North Program
To Know - To Know - Pseudocode standards.
Selection, iteration and variable program structures.
To Be Able To - Design a program using pseudocode standards.
Utilise programming structures to develop a program.
Step 1: Make It
What is it?
What is it?
This simple compass will show you which way is North.
How does it work?
How does it work?
Your micro:bit has a compass sensor called a magnetometer that measures magnetic fields. It can sense the Earth’s magnetic field and so you can use it as a compass.
When you first use the micro:bit compass you have to calibrate it. A little game appears on the screen where you have to tilt the micro:bit to light up every LED, then you’re ready to go.
The program uses an infinite (forever) loop to keep taking compass readings and it stores them in a variable called ‘bearing’. It then uses selection: an if… else statement to show N for North on the LED display if the bearing is greater (>) than 315 degrees or less than (<) 45. This means that it will show you where North is as long as your micro:bit is pointing in roughly the right direction.
Break Down the Problem
Break Down the Problem
In pairs, work through the worksheet attached to breakdown the program.
Use the description above to find your answers.
Pseudocode Tip - the pseudocode standard for compass is:
COMPASS ______
So get the bearing of the compass it would be.
COMPASS bearing
Compass North Program Sheet.docxStep 2: Code It
Join the Mirco:Bit Classroom
Join the Mirco:Bit Classroom
We will use this for the remainder of term to practice coding in class.
Click the link to get started.
Tips
Tips
Use the reference list in micro:bit classroom.
There is a compass section which examples how to use the functions built into the micro:bit.
Step 3: Improve It
Extension Task - Add Advanced Features
Extension Task - Add Advanced Features
Increase Accuracy
Make the compass more accurate by reducing the range of bearings: make the number 45 smaller and 315 bigger.
Show East, West and South
Add other points of the compass to show when the micro:bit is pointing East, West and South.
Add an Audio Indicator
Add sound so it makes a noise when pointing North so someone who is visually impaired can use the compass.
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