Micro:bit – What is it and what can you do with it?

The BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation) developed the Micro:bit in 2015. This small device helps young people discover technology and programming. The project was part of the Make It Digital campaign. Schools in the UK were given free copies. This ensured rapid dissemination and increased popularity.

The Micro:bit is now a global phenomenon. Schools in over 50 countries use it. The board is compact, versatile and easy to understand. It teaches children programming in a playful way.

The device has built-in sensors, LEDs and a simple programming environment. Users write their own code and test it directly. This stimulates creativity and logical thinking.

The open-source community continues to improve the platform. Programming languages such as Python and JavaScript work with it. This makes the Micro:bit suitable for both beginners and advanced users.

The Micro:bit Foundation supports educational programs worldwide. Their mission: to make technology and coding accessible to everyone. Partnerships with schools and companies increase the impact. The Micro:bit continues to evolve and inspire new generations.

The Micro:bit is a small, powerful microcontroller. The board is ideal for learning and experimenting. Beginners and advanced users can easily get started with it.

Features:

• Processor: Nordic nRF52833 or nRF51822
• Memory: 512 KB flash, 128 KB RAM
• Display: 5x5 LED matrix
• Buttons: Two programmable buttons
• Sensors: Accelerometer, compass, temperature and light sensor
• Communication: Bluetooth LE and radio function
• I/O Ports: 25 pins, including PWM and analog input
• Power: Micro USB or 2x AAA batteries

The Micro:bit makes programming easy. You can connect the board wirelessly to other devices. External sensors and actuators are easy to add. This makes the board flexible and expandable.

The simple interface makes the Micro:bit perfect for schools and hobbyists, offering a fun way to explore technology.

The Micro:bit is popular because it is simple and versatile. Beginners can quickly make a flashing light or a digital dice. Advanced users can build robots or smart devices.

The Micro:bit is cheap and ideal for schools and hobbies. Children learn programming easily with it. It works with block code, Python and JavaScript. This makes it suitable for all programming levels.

The small board has sensors, lights and buttons. Additional parts are not necessary but are there. An expansion kit to make an interactive robot. Or even a robot crane where you can pick up everything. The Micro:bit V2 also contains Bluetooth and radio so that it can connect to other devices. Multiple Micro:bit can also communicate with each other to make cool projects. Think of a robot with Micro:bit where a controller is with the second Micro:bit .

There is a lot of online help and a large community. Free lessons and projects make learning fun. All these advantages make the Micro:bit popular with beginners and experts.

The Micro:bit V2 , released in 2020, offers additional features and capabilities, allowing for even more fun projects to be created.

• Microphone and Speaker – Record and play sound without any extra parts. Ideal for music and sound detection.
• Touch-sensitive logo – The gold logo works as a button. Tap or hold to activate functions.
• Energy Saving Mode – Saves power and extends battery life. Perfect for long projects.
• Faster processor – Performs calculations faster. This provides better performance and more possibilities.

The Micro:bit remains easy to program with MakeCode and Python. Both beginners and advanced users can start right away.

The new features open doors to education, art and technology. Students create projects that respond to sound or touch. This increases their creative freedom.

Think interactive art, smart sensors and voice recognition. The energy-saving mode makes the Micro:bit even more practical. The faster processor ensures smooth performance.

These improvements make the Micro:bit more powerful and flexible than ever, making it easy for anyone to bring innovative ideas to life.

The Micro:bit CreateAI tool is a free online platform. Students can explore artificial intelligence and machine learning. No programming knowledge is required.

The Micro:bit recognizes movements such as clapping, waving or jumping. Then the device reacts. This makes learning playful and practical.

CreateAI stimulates creative thinking. Students train their own AI models. They learn to recognize patterns and analyze data.

The tool works with existing Micro:bit hardware, so schools and hobbyists can use it right away.

With practical assignments, students develop technical skills. They see how AI influences daily life. CreateAI makes AI accessible and motivates young people to experiment.

Some inspiring projects:

• Games: Program a digital dice that shows a number when shaken. Create a simple Pong in which you control a ball. Develop a memory game in which players repeat patterns on the LED matrix.
• Smart devices: Use sensors to measure temperature, light or motion. Sound an alarm for motion or dim the lights in bright daylight.
• Robotics: Connect motors and servos to make a robot drive or grab objects. Program it to avoid obstacles or respond to sound.
• IoT projects: Send data via Bluetooth to a smartphone or the cloud. Automate actions based on sensor measurements.
• Music and sound: Program melodies or analyze sounds with a microphone. Make the Micro:bit react to music.
• Smart lighting: Turn on a light in low light. Or change colors with temperature changes.
• Weather station: Measure temperature, humidity and light intensity and display the data on the screen.

Pedometer: Use the accelerometer to count steps and provide feedback through the LED matrix.

There are several possibilities to expand your Micro:bit . Below are some of the shields/hats that you can use to expand your Micro:bit :

• Motor Shields : Control motors and servos effortlessly. Ideal for robots and automatic systems. With this shield you can easily connect multiple motors to your Micro:bit . Then, by means of the easy coding, all motors can be controlled.
• Breakout Board s : Quickly connect sensors without complicated wiring. Useful for testing and prototyping.
• OLED Displays : Small screens for text and images. Perfect for dashboards and portable devices. With these small displays you can show a lot of your project. Make the project more interactive by adding images.
• Light sensors : Measure light and adjust lighting. Ideal for smart lighting and energy saving. With the coding you create and the sensors you connect, you can easily control lamps.
• Temperature and humidity sensors : Keep an eye on the climate. Suitable for weather stations, greenhouses and IoT projects. These sensors are very versatile. For both home and industrial use.
• RFID modules : Used for access systems and identification. With an RFID module you can create a lock that only you can use by means of a tag.

Users can choose from different programming environments, tailored to their experience level:

• Microsoft MakeCode : A block-based editor, perfect for beginners. Drag and drop blocks of code to easily create programs. These blocks are automatically translated to the selected language. For more control, switch to JavaScript. This offers additional capabilities for advanced applications.
• Python : A text-based programming language, ideal for those who want to work directly with code. The dedicated Micro:bit Python editor makes it easy to develop interactive projects.
• Scratch : Connect to Scratch to add physical interaction to creative projects. Program the Micro:bit with a visual interface and connect it to animations or games.
• C++ and MicroPython : For advanced programmers who want deeper control. Use these languages to build complex applications and optimize the performance of the Micro:bit .
• Machine Learning : Use the Micro:bit for AI projects. Train models and apply smart algorithms to make the Micro:bit respond autonomously to input.

These programming options ensure that both beginners and experts get the right challenge.

The Micro:bit is used worldwide as a tool to teach students how to program. It is an entry-level model that is suitable for both primary and secondary schools. In addition, even universities use it for introductory courses in computer science.

Why the Micro:bit in education?

The education system is constantly looking for innovative ways to teach skills. Programming knowledge, computational thinking and digital literacy are becoming increasingly important. The Micro:bit fits in perfectly with this by:

• Visual and text-based programming : Beginners start with block programming via MakeCode. In addition, it is also possible to program via Python or JavaScript. This makes it challenging for everyone.
• Hands-on learning : Students can easily experiment. By seeing directly what happens when they modify their code.
• Multidisciplinary applications : Suitable for computer science, physics, mathematics and even creative subjects.
• Collaboration and Problem Solving : Students work together on projects. And easily learn to solve complex problems step by step.
• Affordability and accessibility : The Micro:bit is very affordable. This makes it easy to deploy on a large scale. This is especially important for schools.

Concrete applications in education

1. Programming lessons for beginners and advanced

For students who have never programmed before, this is the ideal start. They will learn the basic principles of programming, such as:

• Variables and loops
• Conditions and logic
• Sensors and input-output interaction

For advanced students, the Micro:bit offers the opportunity to:

• To write more complex algorithms
• Collecting and analyzing data with sensors
• Explore AI and machine learning applications

2. Scientific experiments and STEM education

The Micro:bit is often used in STEM projects (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics). Some examples:

• Physics: Use the accelerometer to measure motion and speed.
• Math: Program the Micro:bit to perform mathematical calculations. It can also display geometric patterns on the LED matrix.
• Technology & Engineering: Combine the Micro:bit with motors and servos to build robots.
• Biology & Environment: Measure temperature and humidity values and analyze trends in a greenhouse environment.

3. Interactive art and music projects

In addition to technical applications, the Micro:bit can also be used in creative subjects:

• Music: Program a simple synthesizer or a music game.
• Art: Use the LED matrix to create visual patterns. Or connect the Micro:bit to a larger artwork to enable interaction.
• Dance and Movement: Program the Micro:bit to detect movements. Then activate sound or light.

4. Robotics and automation

Robots are popular in education, and the Micro:bit makes it easy to experiment with them:

• Build a simple robot car and program it to follow a course.
• Use sensors to detect and respond to obstacles.
• Design an automatic irrigation system that waters plants based on humidity sensors.

Collaboration between different disciplines

The Micro:bit is not only useful for computer science, but can be used in collaboration with other subjects:

• Mathematics and Computer Science: Program the Micro:bit to simulate mathematical models.
• Physics and technology: Measure and analyze physical phenomena with the built-in sensors.
• Civics and Technology: For example, discuss how technology affects society. Then have students create projects that solve societal problems.

Group projects and hackathons

Many schools are organizing Micro:bit hackathons where students work together to come up with innovative solutions. Some popular projects include:

• A smart alarm for the elderly: A device that detects movement and sends a notification in case of emergency.
• Weather station: Measure temperature, humidity and air pressure. Then send the data to a central database.
• Sustainability projects: Students develop systems that save energy. Think of automatic lighting based on motion detection.

Testing and evaluation with the Micro:bit

The Micro:bit can also be used as an evaluation tool:

• Practical assessments: Students complete a working project instead of a written test.
• Portfolios: Document projects and progress as evidence of learning outcomes.
• Competitions: Organize coding contests to boost motivation and engagement.

Micro:bit for teachers

Extensive teaching packages and training modules are available for teachers, including:

• Online tutorials and manuals
• Free ready-made lesson plans
• Support via the Micro:bit community

Conclusion

The Micro:bit is a useful tool for teaching students to program. It also provides a good start to working with technology. Thanks to the wide range of applications of this product, many projects can be done. These projects will stimulate collaboration, creativity and innovation. Thanks to the easy interface of the make code, everyone can get started with this board.