MICRO:BOT

CODING AND CREATING DIY ROBOTICS

Construct physical circuits using inputs and outputs on the

BBC micro:bit. Finally, make and code 3 different robots using
the Micro:bot kit

01 : INTRODUCTION
02 : LED AND BUTTONS
03 : TIME, TILT & ROTATION
04 : DIGITAL READ CODE
05 : ANALOGUE READ CODE
06 : MICROBOT BODY
07 : CUSTOMISATION
08 : ARTBOT
09 : ARTBOT CHALLENGE
10 : ROOMBOT
11 : GOLFBOT
12 : RADIO CONTROL
MICRO:BIT WORKSHOP GUIDE

Welcome to the Microbit Explorer Sessions

This 12 week plan is a curated a set of Makes from the TWSU archive that aims to progress Makers
through making with the BBC Micro:bit. It is by no means exhaustive, and deviation in response to your
groups interests is encouraged!

Makes
The sessions refer to Makes, which are online step by step tutorials on the TWSU Make platform.
We are constantly adding new Makes to the online archive, all of which are free to use. There are loads
more online than are used here, and these are great extension or alternative activities. Even if you finish
this scheme of work, there is still plenty to make and do for free on the TWSU make platform
If there is a Make that doesn’t exist that you think should, let us know. If you want it, others probably do
too

https://make.techwillsaveus.com

Make Account
All Makers can set up their own free Make account to help them store their code and track making
progress.

Resources
Every session requires that Makers have access to:
• Computer with internet access
• Micro USB cable
• BBC micro:bit
Additional resources needed are listed at the bottom of each session.

Platform
There are several different coding platforms for the Micro:bit, but the TWSU Makes all use the Javascript
block editor: https://makecode.microbit.org

Creativity
Every Make has the potential to be unique and we aim to provide space for Makers to explore their
creativity. We celebrate risk taking and failure as much as success.

When things go wrong...

We embrace the fact that Making can be as frustrating as it is rewarding, and we hope this is something
you can communicate to your Makers too. Making mistakes is a critical part of how we learn, and often
allows that ‘Ureka’ moment to happen. Allow the physical and emotional space to make these mistakes.

Cross Curriculum
The very nature of these sessions means that they encompass STEAM through coding, maths, design,
physics and cardboard engineering.

Sharing
Celebrate your Makers work by sharing with your community
We always love seeing what people Make, so why not send us a photo of your finished projects for us
to share online with our own global maker community at:
make@techwillsaveus.com

Enjoy
Making is fun!
 MICRO:BIT 01 : INTRODUCTION

Explore - The BBC Micro:bit through physical investigation and it’s first experience
Understand - The coding environment by writing a scrolling text code and upload process
Apply - Your knowledge by uploading your first code to the Micro:bit

Intro to the micro:bit (20 minutes)

Get started with your BBC Micro:bit and begin to understand the great things it can
do. Learn how to power it up, use the screen for text and patterns, use the buttons,
interact with the accelerometer, and play games.

Make sure everyone finds the components on the Micro:bit as you talk about them.
You could even use magnifying glasses to encourage close inspection.

Scrolling text (20 minutes)

This is an opportunity to introduce the block based javascript coding platform. It is

also a chance to ensure everyone is confident making and flashing their first simple
code onto the Micro:bit. This session is very simple to allow time to iron out any initial
problems.

Review (10 minutes)

What is the difference between a micro-controller and a computer?

What is the difference between a compass and an accelerometer?
Fact: a Micro:bit has gone into space, find out when and why?

Notes:

RESOURCES PER PERSON/PAIR:

1 micro:bit
 MICRO:BIT 02 : LEDS AND BUTTONS

Explore - LED outputs and button inputs by using code to create different light animations
Understand - How to code button inputs and light output
Apply - By creating a simple micro pet that responds to button presses

Make: Pocket Pet 1 (20 minutes)

First, skip the ears and follow steps together as a group to code the lights using the
BASIC MENU and intersection with the INPUT MENU.
Run through as a group, then individuals/pairs can repeat code on their own.

Make: Pocket Pet 2 (20 minutes)

Add animations and a shakes to trigger a worried face.

Has everyone:
Used the block programming successfully?
Uploaded their first MicroPet code?

Review (10 minutes)

What could you add to this code to make it better?

What other inputs can you see on the Micro:bit
What other inputs did you see in the code blocks?

Notes:

RESOURCES PER PERSON/PAIR:

1 Micro:bit
 MICRO:BIT 03 : TIME,TILT & ROTATION

Explore - The use of a timer and internal sensors to detect rotation

Understand - How to code movement responses
Apply - By creating a more complex responsive pet inside a cardboard net construction

Code Micro Pet - the net (20 minutes)

Make the body.

Either using the template files and card, or going crazy making your own using
whatever you want, make the body of your pet!

Code Micro Pet - (20 minutes)

Choose your level of code difficulty.

Level 1 Simple static faces by tilting and shaking the Micro:bit
Level 2 Expands on Micro Pet 1 by adding loneliness.
Level 3 Full face animation and a waking up and singing feature.

Review (10 minutes)

What is the difference between hardware and software ?

Which did you enjoy the most, coding, making or both?
Can you think of anything that uses a tilt sensor?

Notes:

RESOURCES PER PERSON/PAIR:

1 Micro pet downloadable net
1 Micro:bit
1 scissors/craft knife
1 strong glue
 MICRO:BIT 04 : DIGITAL READ CODE

Explore - The PINS menu and adding a physical circuit to the Micro:bit
Understand - How to create a simple binary button circuit and use a digital read code
Apply - By making a simple security box using digital read/write code blocks

What is an digital input? (10 minutes)

Pair share/group share ideas and knowledge about what a digital input is.

Discuss how a Digital input can only say if it is on or off. 1 or 0.

Like a light switch.

Were would you find them in our world?

Can you see one from where you are sitting?

Make: Micro Guardian (30 minutes)

This make uses a glass jar to make a simple button that is used as an alarm. This can
be substituted in your group with any small box, either made of card or wood.
Ask the group if this circuit could work with a metal box.

Review (10 minutes)

How would you define an digital input?

Where can you find pressure buttons like this used in our world?
How could you take this project to the next level?

Notes:

RESOURCES PER PERSON/PAIR:

1 micro:bit
4 crocodile clips
1 box/jar
copper tape
 MICRO:BIT 05 : ANALOGUE READ CODE

Explore - Analogue inputs

Understand - How to create a variable resistor and use an analogue read code
Apply - Make a basic 101 style Synth using analogue read code blocks

What is an analogue input? (10 minutes)

Pair share/group share ideas and knowledge about what an analogue

input is.

Discuss how an analogue input can give a number from a range of

values. Like a thermometer.

Were would you find them in our world?

Can you see one from where you are sitting?
Consolidate the difference between analogue and digital.

Make: Micro Graphite (30 minutes)

Use a simple Graphite line as a variable conductor to change the

pitch of a sound generated by the Micro:bit

Where else do you find variable resistors?

Review (10 minutes)

How would you define an analogue input?

Where can you find a variable resistor being used in our world?
What did you find out about the conductivity of a graphite line?

Notes:

RESOURCES PER PERSON/PAIR:

1 micro:bit
4 crocodile clips
1 buzzer/headphones
1 piece paper
1 pencil (graphite)
 MICRO:BIT 06 : MICROBOT BODY

Explore - The components used to make a microbot

Understand - How to connect them in a working circuit
Apply - By making a working microbot

Meet the Micro:bot kit

Now you have been introduced to the Micro:bit, you are going to combine it with the
components inside the Micro:bot kit to make a basic robot that you can customise
and adapt to create 3 different bots;

Artbot, Roombot and Golfbot.

Showing the video at the end of the MAKE first can give them an idea of what is
ahead!

MAKE: Build your Micro:bot body (40 minutes)

Before building the 3 bots, you need to build the base body.
You only need to do this once, and then you can reuse the same
body for all 3 bots.

Start with the card body using the box

Review (10 minutes)

Can you remember the components used to make the Micro:bot?

Should we expect things we make to work first time? Why?
Remind group to bring in scraps/items to customise next week.

Notes:

RESOURCES PER PERSON/PAIR

1 Micro:bot kit
1 Micro:bit
1 small cross head screwdriver
 MICRO:BIT 07 : CUSTOMISATION

Explore - The possibilities of customising the micro:bot

Understand - How to add style without changing function
Apply - By creating a distincive unique micro:bot

Why customise ( 10 minutes)

Design adds desirability to a lot of tech. Think about the impact Apple had on computer
design, from Geek to Sleek.

Remember, it has to look good AND still function

Get Creative (30 minutes)

A supply of Washi tapes, glue, coloured paper, felt pens, and

anything else you can get your hands on to help the group create
unique Micro:bots.

Review (10 minutes)

Did your design work without affecting the Micro:bots movement?

Does design change your relationship with an object?
What about objects that look great but are hard to use (high heels)?

Notes:

RESOURCES PER PERSON/PAIR

1 pre made micro:bot
glue
tape
craft resources
 MICRO:BIT 08 : ARTBOT

Explore - Using the Microbot as a drawing tool

Understand - How coding servos will make the Artbot move in different ways
Apply - By using code to draw shapes and patterns

Prepare your drawing area (10 minutes)

Now the body of your robot is done, you’re going to use it as the first awesome robot:
ArtBot.

There are going be a lot of robots all drawing at the same time, so you need a lot of
floor space to draw on.

Tape a roll of paper in strips to the floor, making sure you have no bumps or edges for
the Micro:bots to get caught on.

Artbot (30 minutes)

ArtBot is the artistic robot. However, it only draws what you code it to draw, and
we’re teaching you how to code it so it does all sorts of shapes and patterns.
Remember that the code uses time, not distance as a measure of movement.

Review (10 minutes)

What was easy/hard?

Could you predict and control the shapes you were drawing?
What did you find out about the direction of the servos?

Notes:

RESOURCES PER PERSON/PAIR

1 built Micro:bot
1 brush tip pen
1 roll of drawing paper (per group)
1 roll of tape
 MICRO:BIT 09 : ARTBOT CHALLENGE

Explore -The relationship between servo values and movement

Understand - How to adjust the values to get a desired outcome
Apply - By attempting the Maze challenge

Coding directions refresher (10 minutes)

As a group, refresh your skills at directing the Micro:bot by coding uploading and
testing a simple movement, such as moving in a square or the straight line code
shown here.
This ensures that everyone has shared or up-skilled ready to try the Micro:bot Maze
Challenge.

Micro:bot Maze Challenge (30 minutes)

Find a big expanse of floor, like a hall or corridor, and make a large collective maze
or obstacle course that the group can use their individual Micro:bots to attempt to
complete.

This should be a fun and noisy session where sharing of coding tips is to be
encouraged and celebrated. Knowledge is to be shared for the good of all.

Can the group help get everyone’s Micro:bot to the end?

Review (10 minutes)

What did you find hardest about attemping the Maze?

Did anyone collaborate?
Is knowledge something that we should share or sell ?

Notes:

RESOURCES PER PERSON/PAIR

1 built Micro:bot
1 roll of tape
 MICRO:BIT 10 : ROOMBOT

Explore - Using found materials to make a sensor

Understand - How to add the code for a digital read input
Apply - By making a working collision detector for the Micro:bot

Make: Roombot (20 minutes)

Adapt the Artbot by adding a collision detection mechanism

Using tinfoil, we’re going to create a circuit between the flap and the body. When they
touch, the RoomBot knows it collided against something and will change direction.

Arena Time (20 minutes)

Create an arena to test out your Roombots collision detection.

Walls, feet, chairs, other Roombots.

It’s arena time!

Review (10 minutes)

Is there anyway you could turn this into a game?

Would you call this artificial intelligence?
Is AI a good thing?

Notes:

RESOURCES PER PERSON/PAIR:

1 built Micro:bot
1 roll of kitchen foil (per group)
1 roll of tape
2 crocodile clips
 MICRO:BIT 11 : GOLFBOT

Explore - How to make an iteration of an existing creation

Understand - How to combine codes and sensors in different ways
Apply - By making a Golfbot

Make: Golfbot (20 minutes)

The GolfBot is the sporty robot. You’ll create your very own game of crazy golf
while learning about how to make it move autonomously. When you putt a hole the
GolfBot will move to a new random place allowing you to continue the game!

Crazy Golf Time (20 minutes)

Create a space to test out your Golfbots.

Raid the sports cupboard for hockey sticks and table tennis, golf or squash balls for a
mash up game of DIY Crazy Golf.

Review (10 minutes)

How is this a progression from the Roombot?

How else could you tweak the code to change its function?
How is code like this used in industry?

Notes:

RESOURCES PER PERSON/PAIR:

1 built Micro:bot
Ball
Golf club or similar
 MICRO:BIT 12 : RADIO CONTROL

Explore - Wireless communication with the Micro:bot

Understand - How wireless can communicate on different channels
Apply - By collectively controlling Micro:bots remotely

Make: Micro:bot Radio Control (20 minutes)

Micro:bits can send messages to each other through radio signals! Follow this tutorial
in pairs to control a Micro:bot using another Micro:bit as a remote control.

Try it out (20 minutes)

See how far away you can be and still control it! There are lots of other ways you can
control with the Micro:bit, try changing the inputs and see what happens!

Review (10 minutes)

What did you learn Radio control?

What are it’s benefits and disadvantages?
What else uses Radio signals as a form of input?

Notes:

RESOURCES PER PERSON/PAIR:

1 built Micro:bot
1 Micro:bit