Microbit Activities

So far, our microbit explorations have used the blocks editor, which hangs out at the level of pseudocode. But we can also use Python to work with the microbits, using the Python editor and Python tutorials.

Note

Unlike with the blocks editor, microbit’s Python editor does not include the option to make an account. Be sure to download the .hex file and/or .py script to save your work.

Resources

Online editor

• Introductory video

• Python editor guide

• Python editor

Tutorials

• Python tutorials

Documentation

• MicroPython documentation & tutorials

Supplies

Eacn group needs at least one microbit and USB cable. The battery pack is optional.

Activity

Step #1: Explore!

Select one of the Python tutorials to explore. When opening a tutorial, select the “Open in Python” option.

• Python editor guide

Or, take a microbit program from an earlier chapter and convert it to Python.

Step #2: Unlike with the blocks editor, microbit’s Python editor does not include the option to make an account. Be sure to download the .hex file and/or .py script to save your work.

Step #3: Spend a few minutes as a group discussing and reflecting on the experience. What challenges did your group encounter, and how did you solve them? Other comments or observations? What are folks potentially excited to make or explore with the microbit?