Microbit

Beginner

60 mins

Teacher/Student led

155 points

What you need:
Chromebook/Laptop/PC
Microbit
LED Strip with crocodile clips

Microbit LED Strip Thermometer

Begin by creating a new Microbit project and adding the neopixel extension. Set up the LED strip and program the A button to display the temperature. Light up the LED lights according to the temperature, with more lights for higher temperatures. Download your project, connect your LED strip to your Microbit, and watch the LED strip light up according to the temperature.

Learning Goals Learning Outcomes Teacher Notes Lesson Files

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1 Create a new Microbit project
2 Add the neopixel extension
3 Setup the LED Strip
4 Show the temperature
5 Light up the LED lights
6 Download the project and send it to your microbit
7 Connect your LED Strip
Challenge
Quiz

1 - Create a new Microbit project

To get started create a new Microbit project.

makecode.microbit.org

Microbit: How to create a new Microbit project

Go to the Makecode.com Microbit website using the link below and click on the 'New Project' button underneath the 'My Projects' heading.

https://makecode.microbit.org/

Install the micro:bit app on your iPad or tablet.

Open the app, tap 'Create code' and then create a new project.

10 points

2 - Add the neopixel extension

To access the blocks we need to program the LED strip, you need to add the neopixel extension to your project.

Microbit: How to add an extension

To add an extension follow these steps:

Click on 'Advanced' in the toolbox
Click 'Extensions'
Type the name of the extension in the search box
Click on the extension in the search results
The extension and all it's blocks will be added to your toolbox

15 points

3 - Setup the LED Strip

To be able to interact and program the LED strip we will need a variable that stores the strip.

Add the following code to your project. We set the value to be 30 as there are 30 LEDs on the strip.

20 points

4 - Show the temperature

Now let's program the A button to display the temperature on the screen of the Microbit.

Add the following code to your project:

20 points

5 - Light up the LED lights

Finally let's display the temperature by lighting up the LED lights on the strip. The hotter it is the more lights we want to light up.

We will use the show bar graph block and a temperature block to light up the LEDs on the strip according to what temperature the Microbit is reading from it's sensor. We will set the maximum temperature to be 30 degrees celsius (if it's 30 degrees then all the lights will light up).

Add the following new code to your project:

30 points

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Microbit LED Strip Thermometer

Live Class Feed

1 - Create a new Microbit project

Using the makecode website

Using the micro:bit app

2 - Add the neopixel extension

3 - Setup the LED Strip

4 - Show the temperature

5 - Light up the LED lights

Unlock the Full Learning Experience

Learning Points