Microbit Basics

Teacher Learning Plan Curriculum Mapping Student Devices

Introduce your students to the world of microbits, pocket-sized programmable computers. Guide them through creating a new project, navigating the project editor, and writing their first piece of code. Encourage hands-on learning as they experiment with displaying messages, reacting to button presses, and showing a happy face. In subsequent lessons, they will create emojis, program a dice, measure temperature, learn about compass sensors, create animations, make music, and finally, brainstorm and execute their own microbit project.

Explore the Course

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This module introduces students to the versatile world of pocket-sized programmable computers through hands-on coding projects. Learners will explore creating projects, programming displays, and interacting with sensors to build animations, games, and responsive narratives. The content encourages experimentation and creativity while developing foundational coding skills.

Meet the Microbit	Quiz	Challenge	Beginner
Emojis	Quiz	Challenge	Beginner
Microbit Dice	Quiz	Challenge	Beginner
Temperature Tales	Quiz	Challenge	Beginner
Compass	Quiz	Challenge	Intermediate
Animation	Quiz	Challenge	Intermediate
Music Maker	Quiz	Challenge	Advanced
Microbit Lab			Advanced

Meet the Microbit	Quiz	Challenge	Beginner
Emojis	Quiz	Challenge	Beginner
Microbit Dice	Quiz	Challenge	Beginner
Temperature Tales	Quiz	Challenge	Beginner
Compass	Quiz	Challenge	Intermediate
Animation	Quiz	Challenge	Intermediate
Music Maker	Quiz	Challenge	Advanced
Microbit Lab			Advanced

Curriculum Mapping

See exactly how this course maps to official curriculum specifications

NCCA STE Education Specification (2025)

Curriculum Area

Outcomes

Nature of STEM

S1.3.1

Living things

S2.3.1 S2.3.2 S2.3.3

Materials

S3.3.1 S3.3.2

Energy and forces

S4.3.1 S4.3.2 S4.3.3

Technology

S5.3.1 S5.3.2

Engineering

S6.3.1

What Students Will Learn

Learning Goals

Understand and utilise the basic functions of a microbit, including programming and displaying messages.
Create and manipulate simple animations and emojis using the microbit.
Program the microbit to perform tasks such as acting as a dice, measuring temperature, and functioning as a compass.
Apply coding skills to create interactive narratives and music using the microbit.
Develop and execute a unique microbit project, demonstrating creativity, problem-solving, and teamwork.

Learning Outcomes

Program a microbit to display messages, react to button presses and show different faces.
Develop a microbit program to function as a dice, displaying numbers between 1 and 6.
Utilise a microbit to measure temperature and create a temperature-responsive narrative.
Calibrate and program a microbit compass sensor to read and display directional data.
Create a simple animation on a microbit device using 'show leds' blocks.
Program a microbit to play a melody using the 'music.play' function in MakeCode.
Brainstorm, develop and present a simple microbit project in a team.

What You'll Need

Student Devices

Students will need one of these devices. Students can share in groups of 2-3 if necessary.

Chromebook/Laptop/PC

Required Equipment

Equipment used in some of the lessons in this course. Items can be shared among students.

Microbit