What’s a micro:bit?
For summer and spring break camps, afterschool classes, and workshops, BadgerBOTS offers a few different programs which use a piece of technology called the micro:bit. But what is this – and why might your student be interested in these classes?
The Hardware
The micro:bit is a micro-controller development board – a device which lets users download and run their own programs and connect different hardware components. The micro:bit has lots of parts packed in to its small size.
- LED display – like the blinking hearts above
- Buttons
- Radio – send messages to other micro:bits wirelessly
- Accelerometer and Compass – for movement and direction
- Input-Output Pins – connect to motors, speakers, and more
Jump Right In To Coding
At BadgerBOTS, we use Microsoft MakeCode to program the micro:bit. Students choose either drag-and-drop, or Javascript language, to create their code.
Add-ons and Expansion Boards
The micro:bit may be a simple device, but there are many different kits of add-ons as well as expansion boards that can be combined with the micro:bit. The Maqueen robot kit and the Basic:bit kit are two that we use at BadgerBOTS.
