Programming the BBC micro:bit: Getting Started with MicroPython


Book Description

Quickly write innovative programs for your micro:bit—no experience necessary!This easy-to-follow guide shows, step-by-step, how to quickly get started with programming and creating fun applications on your micro:bit.. Written in the straightforward style that Dr. Simon Monk is famous for, Programming the BBC micro:bit: Getting Started with MicroPython begins with basic concepts and gradually progresses to more advanced techniques. You will discover how to use the micro:bit's built-in hardware, use the LED display, accept input from sensors, attach external electronics, and handle wireless communication.•Connect your micro:bit to a computer and start programming!•Learn how to use the two most popular MicroPython editors •Work with built-in functions and methods—and see how to write your own•Display text, images, and animations on the micro:bit’s LED matrix•Process data from the accelerometer, compass, and touch sensor•Control external hardware by attaching it to the edge connector•Send and receive messages via the built-in radio module•Graphically build programs with the JavaScript Blocks Editor




The Official BBC micro:bit User Guide


Book Description

The go-to guide to getting started with the BBC micro:bit and exploring all of its amazing capabilities. The BBC micro:bit is a pocket-sized electronic development platform built with education in mind. It was developed by the BBC in partnership with major tech companies, communities, and educational organizations to provide kids with a fun, easy, inexpensive way to develop their digital skills. With it, kids (and grownups) can learn basic programming and coding while having fun making virtual pets, developing games, and a whole lot more. Written by internationally bestselling tech author Gareth Halfacree and endorsed by the Micro:bit Foundation, The Official BBC micro:bit User Guide contains what you need to know to get up and running fast with the BBC micro:bit. Learn everything from taking your first steps with the BBC micro:bit to writing your own programs. You'll also learn how to expand its capabilities with add-ons through easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions. Set up your BBC micro:bit and develop your digital skills Write code in JavaScript Blocks, JavaScript, and Python Discover the BBC micro:bit’s built-in sensors Connect the BBC micro:bit to a Raspberry Pi to extend its capabilities Build your own circuits and create hardware The Official BBC micro:bit User Guide is your go-to source for learning all the secrets of the BBC micro:bit. Whether you're just beginning or have some experience, this book allows you to dive right in and experience everything the BBC micro:bit has to offer.




Micro:bit for Mad Scientists


Book Description

Build your own secret laboratory with 30 coding and electronic projects! The BBC micro:bit is a tiny, cheap, yet surprisingly powerful computer that you can use to build cool things and experiment with code. The 30 simple projects and experiments in this book will show you how to use the micro:bit to build a secret science lab complete with robots, door alarms, lie detectors, and more--as you learn basic coding and electronics skills. Here are just some of the projects you'll build: A "light guitar" you can play just by moving your fingers A working lie detector A self-watering plant care system A two-wheeled robot A talking robotic head with moving eyes A door alarm made with magnets Learn to code like a Mad Scientist!







BBC Micro:bit in Practice


Book Description

Develop real-world interactive physical computing applications using the Micro:bit with more than 100 MicroPython examples with circuit diagrams Key FeaturesExplore hardware programming and leverage the power of the BBC Micro:bit and MicroPythonBuild real-life creative projects step by step with each chapter increasing in complexity and interactivityLearn the features of the Micro:bit and how to interface it with electronic components through circuits and code examplesBook Description This book is a one-stop guide for learning BBC Micro:bit with MicroPython, exploring many hardware components and programming techniques to provide detailed insights into developing practical applications with the Micro:bit. It will also show you how hardware components can be manipulated using a combination of Micro:bit and MicroPython for developing practical projects. BBC Micro:bit in Practice will help you gain a holistic understanding of the BBC Micro:bit platform and MicroPython programming, guiding you through mini projects aimed at developing practical knowledge of circuit design and writing programs. You'll learn how to write programs for working with built-in LEDs and buttons, interfacing external LEDs, buttons, motors, buzzers, and much more. You'll also work with built-in radio, speakers, accelerometer, and a compass. You'll dive into concepts related to the Micro:bit filesystem, interfacing external displays, and working with libraries in detail before exploring sewable circuits and wearable technology. After reading this Micro:bit book, you'll understand how to apply principles in electronics and MicroPython to create interesting real-life projects from scratch. What you will learnExplore the essentials of the BBC Micro:bit, its hardware specifications, and versionsProgram built-in and external LEDs and buttonsProgram external LED-based displays, buzzers, and stepper motorsUse analog input and pulse width modulation to drive a servo motorDetect gestures with internal sensors such as accelerometer, compass, and magnetometerWork on projects with built-in features such as music, speech, radio, and filesystemExplore the advanced features of the Micro:bitWho this book is for This book is for anyone who wants to use the combination of MicroPython and the BBC Micro:bit for building exciting real-life projects. Engineers, researchers, hobbyists, and technology instructors working in areas such as embedded systems, electronics, software development, IoT, robotics, teaching, and training will find this book useful for building projects. Prior experience with building basic electronic circuits and any programming language, not necessarily MicroPython, will be helpful.




The Official BBC micro:bit User Guide


Book Description

The go-to guide to getting started with the BBC micro:bit and exploring all of its amazing capabilities. The BBC micro:bit is a pocket-sized electronic development platform built with education in mind. It was developed by the BBC in partnership with major tech companies, communities, and educational organizations to provide kids with a fun, easy, inexpensive way to develop their digital skills. With it, kids (and grownups) can learn basic programming and coding while having fun making virtual pets, developing games, and a whole lot more. Written by internationally bestselling tech author Gareth Halfacree and endorsed by the Micro:bit Foundation, The Official BBC micro:bit User Guide contains what you need to know to get up and running fast with the BBC micro:bit. Learn everything from taking your first steps with the BBC micro:bit to writing your own programs. You'll also learn how to expand its capabilities with add-ons through easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions. Set up your BBC micro:bit and develop your digital skills Write code in JavaScript Blocks, JavaScript, and Python Discover the BBC micro:bit’s built-in sensors Connect the BBC micro:bit to a Raspberry Pi to extend its capabilities Build your own circuits and create hardware The Official BBC micro:bit User Guide is your go-to source for learning all the secrets of the BBC micro:bit. Whether you're just beginning or have some experience, this book allows you to dive right in and experience everything the BBC micro:bit has to offer.




Programming with MicroPython


Book Description

It’s an exciting time to get involved with MicroPython, the re-implementation of Python 3 for microcontrollers and embedded systems. This practical guide delivers the knowledge you need to roll up your sleeves and create exceptional embedded projects with this lean and efficient programming language. If you’re familiar with Python as a programmer, educator, or maker, you’re ready to learn—and have fun along the way. Author Nicholas Tollervey takes you on a journey from first steps to advanced projects. You’ll explore the types of devices that run MicroPython, and examine how the language uses and interacts with hardware to process input, connect to the outside world, communicate wirelessly, make sounds and music, and drive robotics projects. Work with MicroPython on four typical devices: PyBoard, the micro:bit, Adafruit’s Circuit Playground Express, and ESP8266/ESP32 boards Explore a framework that helps you generate, evaluate, and evolve embedded projects that solve real problems Dive into practical MicroPython examples: visual feedback, input and sensing, GPIO, networking, sound and music, and robotics Learn how idiomatic MicroPython helps you express a lot with the minimum of resources Take the next step by getting involved with the Python community




Beginning BBC micro:bit


Book Description

Learn essential concepts and techniques to build simple-to-advanced projects and overcome common programming challenges in micro:bit development. Beginning BBC micro:bit will take you through the complete features and capabilities of the micro:bit controller, enabling you to program and build your own projects. The uses are endless for the micro:bit and this books will help get you started on building your next project with this popular and easy-to-use microcontroller. You'll use online Python Editor and Mu Editor to build your own applications. Reviewed by the micro:bit developer team, this comprehensive guide also provides clean code examples to help you learn the key concepts behind the micro:bit API. What You’ll Learn Work with the various kits and accessories Master the micro:bit development platform with easy to follow examples and clean code Build your own micro:bit applications using an online Python editor and Mu editor Use the on-board LED matrix, built-in buttons, I/O pins, accelerometer, and compass Learn how to connect and communicate with devices through I2C, SPI, and UART Build applications with music and speech libraries Use Local Persistent File System to store and manipulate files Build applications based on wired and radio networks Use micro:bit and micro:bit Blue apps Who This Book Is For Beginners, those already experienced with electronics, and hobbyists at all levels looking to get started with a new microcontroller.




Invent to Learn


Book Description

A new and expanded edition of one of the decade's most influential education books. In this practical guide, Sylvia Martinez and Gary Stager provide K-12 educators with the how, why, and cool stuff that supports making in the classroom, library, makerspace, or anywhere learners learn.




Micro:Bit – A Quick Start Guide for Teachers


Book Description

The BBC micro:bit Quickstart Guide for Teachers is designed to support educators in effective use of the BBC micro:bit devices distributed to all Year 7 students in the United Kingdom as part of the BBC's Make It Digital initiative. Supported by Microsoft and published by Hodder Education, this indispensable guide features: An introduction to the Make It Digital initiative An outline of what the BBC micro:bit is and what it's designed to do Advice on how teachers and students can get the most out of the BBC micro:bit device, including how the hardware and the supporting services work (including the BBC micro:bit website, code editors and code compiler) Guidance on how to get started with creating programs for the BBC micro:bit using the Microsoft Touch Develop Editor, and how to compile them and upload them to your device Coding lessons of varying difficulty with step-by-step walkthroughs and solutions for each activity Curriculum references, providing educators with opportunities to introduce key computational thinking concepts and map outcomes back to aspects of the English computing program of study