Microbit

Beginner

35 mins

Teacher/Student led

+140 XP

What you need:
Chromebook/Laptop/PC
Microbit
USB Cable

Microbit step counter

A pedometer is a device that can count our steps by detecting them. In this lesson we will turn our Microbit into a pedometer and get it to display the amount of steps we've taken.

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1 Create a new Microbit project
2 Create the 'steps' variable
3 Setup the 'steps' variable
4 Detect a step
5 Display the number of steps
6 Send the code to your Microbit
7 Connect a power source
8 Get walking!
9 Every second step
10 Resend the code to your Microbit
Quiz

1 - Create a new Microbit project

Go to the makecode.microbit.org website and create a new project.

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.

👇 Mark your steps as done as you complete them.

+5 XP

2 - Create the 'steps' variable

We will need to remember the amount of steps we've taken so we will create a variable called 'steps'.

Microbit: How to create a variable

In the Variables toolbox, create a new variable by clicking the 'Make a Variable' button.

Once you click this button a box will appear asking what you want to call your variable. Give it a name that reminds you what you will be using it for. For example, if you wanted to keep track of your score in a game, you would create a variable called 'score'.

👇 Mark your steps as done as you complete them.

+15 XP

3 - Setup the 'steps' variable

When we start the 'steps' should be 0. Add the following code:

let steps = 0

+10 XP

4 - Detect a step

Our Microbits have a sensor in them called an accelerometer and this can detect when the Microbit has been shaken. We're going to use this to detect the 'shake' of our steps and each time we detect it, we will add 1 to our 'steps' variable so we can record the number of steps we take.

Add the following code:

input.onGesture(Gesture.Shake, function () {
    steps += 1
})

+10 XP

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This lesson is copyright of Coding Ireland 2017 - 2026. Unauthorised use, copying or distribution is not allowed.

Microbit step counter

Teacher Class Feed

1 - Create a new Microbit project

Using the makecode website

Using the micro:bit app

2 - Create the 'steps' variable

3 - Setup the 'steps' variable

4 - Detect a step

Unlock the full learning experience

XP