BBC micro:bit - Kitronik University
This Kitronik University course is part of the BBC microbit partnership and covers aspects of the BBC micro:bit including an overview of what it is, what our role is and of course tutorials to let you get started using it within Design & Technology.
This course is still being written so check back regularly, or subscribe to our newsletter to be kept informed of updates.
Course Contents:
BBC micro:bit Overview:
microbit Coding Editors:
- Microsoft MakeCode Editor.
- MicroPython Editor.
- Mu Editor.
- EduBlocks Editor.
- Arm Mbed.
- Legacy Editors, for information only.
- Legacy Blocks Editor. (Now switched off)
- Legacy Touch Develop Editor. (Now switched off)
- Legacy Code Kingdoms Editor. (Now switched off)
Getting Started With The BBC microbit:
- The Five Minute microbit Guide.
- The Parent's Complete Guide To The BBC micro:bit.
- Powering your BBC microbit.
- Transferring a program to the BBC micro:bit.
- Getting Started with MakeCode Editor.
- Getting Started with EduBlocks.
- Getting Started With Scratch For microbit.
- Use The BBC micro:bit As An Instrument Tuner.
- Using MicroPython With Kitronik BBC micro:bit Products.
- Add Additional Light Sensing To The BBC micro:bit.
- Legacy guides for information only (Editors now turned off):
Mobile Device Apps:
MicroPython Example Code For Kitronik Products:
- 16 Servo Control Board.
- STOP:bit For BBC micro:bit.
- All-In One Robotics Board.
- :GAME ZIP 64.
- :KLEF Piano For BBC micro:bit.
- Links to the above 5 resources with background.
Teaching Resources Written By Teachers For Teachers:
- Free :GAME ZIP 64 Lesson Plans By Lorraine Underwood.
- FREE :MOVE mini Lesson Plans By Lorraine Underwood.
Free E-Textiles Sample Packs:
E-Textiles Tutorials:
- BBC micro:bit emoji bag.
- Rocket themed countdown pencil case.
- Add Additional Light Sensing To The BBC micro:bit.
Using The Expansion Connector With Electronics:
- Using the BBC micro:bit edge connector.
- Don't steal my BBC micro:bit alarm!
- Cool colours temperature sensor.
- Light level detector.
- BBC micro:bit controlled crane.
- microbit Lap Counter For Scalextric Like Track.
- Controlling a servo with the microbit.
- Control A 360 Degree Servo With A BBC micro:bit.
- Distance Sensing With A microbit And HC-SR04 Module.
Inventors Kit Experiments:
- Experiment 1 - Say Hello to the BBC micro:bit.
- Experiment 2 - Pre V1.7 Using an LDR and analog inputs.
- Experiment 2 - Post V1.7 Using a Light Sensor & analog inputs.
- Experiment 3 - Dimming an LED using a potentiometer.
- Experiment 4 - Using a transistor to drive a motor.
- Experiment 5 - Using the accelerometer to control motor speed.
- Experiment 6 - Setting the tone with a piezo buzzer.
- Experiment 7 - Wind Power.
- Experiment 8 - Making a game using the compass.
- Experiment 9 - Capacitor charge circuit.
- Experiment 10 - Using an RGB LED.
- Experiment 11 - Making a pedestrian crossing.
- Experiment 12 - Making a random dice.
ZIP LED Add-On Pack For The Inventors Kit:
- Experiment 10 - Using A Potentiometer To Control an LED.
- Bonus Experiment - Fan Controlled ZIP LED Ring.
Noise Pack for Kitronik Inventor's Kit for the BBC micro:bit:
Robots/Buggies:
- BBC micro:bit Line Following Buggy.
- Build a micro:bit controlled Zumo buggy.
- Build A Klawsome microbit Controlled Tank.
- Using PWM with the Kitronik Motor Driver Board.
- Controlling :MOVE mini With The microbit Radio.
- Drawing With The :MOVE mini For The microbit.
- :MOVE mini Servo Powered Halloween Add-ons.
- :MOVE mini Halloween Ghost & Pumpkin Shells.
- Controlling 3 Servos With The Servo:Lite board.
- Calibrating 360 Degree Servos For :MOVE mini.
- Guide For Kitronik Custom MakeCode Editor Servo Blocks.
- Getting Started With The Servo:Lite board.
- Guide For Using Kitronik ZIP LEDs With The BBC microbit.
- Guide For Coding Automatic Headlights For :MOVE mini.
- Guide For Coding Indicators For :MOVE mini.
- Pairing A microbit That's Attached To :MOVE mini.
- Distance Sensing With A microbit And HC-SR04 Module.
Everything Is Better With Bluetooth:
- Kitronik Move App For Mobile Devices.
- Adding Bluetooth Remote Control To :MOVE mini.
- Robot Buggy Part 7 Remote Control Via Bluetooth.
- Take The BBC micro:bit To The Next Level With Bluetooth Low Energy.
- Pairing A microbit That's Attached To :MOVE mini.
Light It Up:
- Get Started With Zip Halo For The BBC microbit.
- Using Kitronik ZIP LEDs With The BBC microbit.
- Guide For Automatic Headlights For :MOVE mini.
- Guide For Coding Indicators On The :MOVE mini.
- microbit Powered Halo-ween Ironman Arc Reactor.
- Adding Extra ZIP LEDs To The Kitronik Halo.
- BBC micro:bit Powered Halo-ween Fancy Dress.
:GAME ZIP 64 Teaching Resources:
:MOVE mini Teaching Resources:
ZIP Halo for microbit Teaching Resources:
- FREE ZIP Halo for microbit Teaching Resources by Loarraine Underwood & Kitronik - Lesson 1.
- FREE ZIP Halo for microbit Teaching Resources by Loarraine Underwood & Kitronik - Lesson 2.
Custom Code:
Hacking Toys For microbit control:
Link Standard:
3D Printing:
- 3D Printable case.
- CAD Resources.
- 3D Print Robot Wars Buggy, instructions and design file downloads.
- FREE :GAME ZIP 64 Cases - 3D Printed/Laser Cut.
Laser Cutting:
- Project Ideas for the MI:power Board.
- FREE :GAME ZIP 64 Cases - 3D Printed/Laser Cut.
- :KLEF Piano for micro:bit case resources.
Kitronik :City From Bett 2019:
- Part 1 - How we made Kitronik :CITY.
- Part 2 - :MOVE Mini Football Stadium.
- Part 3 - Klimate, microbit and ZIP Halo Big Ben.
- Part 4 - microbit Servo Driver Tower Bridge.
- Part 5 - Robotics Board London Eye & Turbine.
Seasonal microbit Projects:
- Fancy Dress - microbit Powered Halo-ween Ironman Arc Reactor.
- Fancy Dress - BBC micro:bit Powered Halo-ween Fancy Dress.
- Halloween - :MOVE mini Servo Powered Halloween Add-ons.
- Halloween - How to make a sewable Halloween LED badge.
- Halloween - :MOVE mini Halloween Ghost & Pumpkin Shells.
- Halloween - Halloween 3D Printing & Laser Cutting Projects.
- Halloween - microbit powered 3D printed Spider!
- Christmas - Kitronik Christmas Fair - Stepper Ferris Wheel.
- Christmas - Kitronik Christmas Fair - ZIP LED Helter Skelter.
- Christmas - Kitronik Christmas Fair - Bandstand And Stalls.
- Christmas - Christmas 2016 Project Ideas.
- Christmas - ZIP Halo Christmas Tree.
- Christmas - microbit ZIP Halo Christmas Baubles.
- Christmas - MI:power microbit Christmas Baubles.
- Christmas - Development Of The Christmas Bells.
- Christmas - Servo & microbit Controlled Christmas Bells.
- Christmas - Day 3 - BBC microbit ZIP Halo Compass.
- Christmas - :MOVE mini Santa Sleigh.
Hi
Do you sell the BBC micro bit computer?
Regards
Ray
Hi Ray,
There is a legacy group which is working on the finer detail of the legacy which includes distribution. Distribution will begin sometime after the last of the year 7 students have received theirs. We are hopeful at this stage that we will be a distributor.
Rob
how do i make sure that my year 7s get this then?
Hi Adam,
You can register your school to receive BBC micro:bits for your Year 7 year group here: https://bbcmicrobitschoolregistrationform.co.uk/english.html.
Hope this helps,
Many thanks,
Andrew
How/where do I find the driver for the micro:bit so that I can drag and drop the coding onto them ?
many thanks
Paul
Hi Paul,
The BBC micro:bit should appear in My Computer without the need for any driver.
Kind regards
Rob
Can you elaborate on how the LEDs are connected to the microcontroller/edge connector as there's a 5x5 array of LEDs, but the relevant pins of the edge connector are designated Col1-3 and Col7-9.
Thanks
Nigel Kendrick
(STEM Ambassador)
Hi Nigel, The 25 LED's are split into 8 columns (1-9), there are 4 rows but the rows aren't broken out (to avoid the risk of shorts). Unfortunately, that means that you can't drive the LED matrix from the edge connector.
An example of how to write and read from the i2C would be a great help. At the moment I can't seem to get the correct parameters/types set in micropython for microbit.i2c.read and write. In the project i am experimenting with i am using a MCP23017 with a single LED attached to GPB1. the circuit works when connected to an Arduino. bus address is 0x27
Hi Dave, it's not something we've looked into but if you use the following search term in google it should be the first result in the list, once there you can find information on iC2 at the bottom of the menu on the left. The search term: microbit micropython read the docs io ic2. I hope this helps.