January 2018
In this presentation will introduce two of the really exciting ways to be innovative and to code for upper elementary, middle school, and high school students. The first is using the BBC's Microbit to innovate by coding to control a small programmable hardware controller. The second is using Code.org's App Lab allows the coding of an app that can published and run on any phone, tablet or computer. The presentation will be of for anyone teaching STEM classes or interested in technology or coding.
Code.org's App Lab (code.org/applab) can be used to create and publish apps that run on any smartphone, tablet, or computer as HTML apps. In this project an app will created that preforms a basic calculation.
Directions to Create a Basic App
Step by step to create and publish a basic calculation app. Instructions.
Getting started video. https://youtu.be/e1St8LB4VJA
Sample Apps
The BBC Micro:bit is a small programmable device that contains temperature, accelerator, compass, light, and magnetic sensors. It has an "A" and a "B" button that can be used to start events. It has an 5 by 5 LED display that can be used to output text and numbers. It also has several General Purpose Input Output (GPIO) pins.
Teaching Microbits
Here are several resources for teaching coding with Micro:bits. http://microbit.org/teach/
Microbit project links. https://makecode.microbit.org/projects
Link to 14 Week Intro to CS course. https://makecode.microbit.org/courses/csintro. Buy a printed copy from Lulu. http://www.lulu.com/commerce/index.php?fBuyContent=22274060
Sample Projects
Buy a Microbit
In the USA Microbits can be purchased for $16.50 from 2 different companies. Both companies may give educational discounts.