Leaving Certificate Computer Science
Introduction to Micro:bit
Introducing Oide
Workshop Overview
Session 1 Getting started
10:00 - 11:30 GAA scoreboard activity
Tea/Coffee
11:30 – 12:00
Session 2 Branching out – Sensors, PRIMM, Conditionals
12:00 - 13:30 Temperature Sensor Activity
Lunch
13:30 - 14:30
Session 3 Working with LEDs
14:30 - 16:30 Traffic Light Activity
Purpose for the Day
To upskill Phase 5 teachers of LCCS in the use of the micro:bit.
To explore Computer Science as a discipline and the implications
of its introduction to teaching and the classroom dynamic,
including the importance of group work in LCCS.
Key Messages
There are many ways to use Group work and group
the LCCS specification. dynamics are a key feature in
the teaching, learning and
assessment of LCCS.
Effective pedagogies can There are multiple ways to
enhance teaching and learning, solve problems (some are
however, the emphasis for this more efficient than others).
workshop is on skills
development.
Session 1
Getting started with the
micro:bit
What is a micro:bit?
Affordable pocket-sized coding device
Developed by BBC & Microsoft
Microcontroller, LED display, sensors
Ideal for beginners
Learn to program and experiment with hardware
Engaging and creative platform
Overview of micro:bit
https://microbit.org/get-started/user-guide/overview/
Overview of micro:bit
https://microbit.org/get-started/user-guide/overview/
First steps with the micro:bit
https://makecode.microbit.org/
Click on “New Project”
Background
To create your program, click on
the menu in the middle and drag
the blocks to the right-hand side!
Change the message on the
micro:bit to something
else…
Show a different image on
the micro:bit…
Click on the “virtual” Drag the blocks in here,
micro:bit to see if stick them together, and
your program works! create your program!
Transfer your code onto the micro:bit
When your micro:bit is connected, you’ll see
the Connected to micro:bit message window.
Click on Done and you’re ready to go!
Can you download your program onto your
micro:bit?
Events
When buttons A or B is
pressed…
Modify your code so that when
you press a button, a message
will be displayed.
Introduction to
Variables
GAA scoreboard activity
What is a variable?
Variables are the names given to computer memory locations that are used to store values
in a computer program.
Think of a variable as a container that can store information that is required for your
program to run.
Creating a variable in makecode
Create two variables called “goalScore” and
“pointScore”
Exercise #1 – Predict & Discuss
Exercise #2 – Recreate and Run
Create two Variables called goalScore and pointScore.
Recreate the code from exercise 1.
Run your code.
Does it run and does it do what you thought it would do?
Exercise #3 – Modify the code
Modify the code as follows:
when button A is pressed, goalScore is incremented by 1
when Button B is pressed, pointScore is incremented by 1
Exercise #4 – Extension
Add a feature which when button A + B is pressed, work out the total number
of points (goals and points)
Session 2
Branching out
Sensors
Today
PRIMM
Predict Run Investigate Modify Make
Exercise 1 - Predict, Run, Investigate
Exercise 1 – Modify, Make
Modify your code so that
⮚ the temperature is displayed when Button A is clicked
⮚ the LED display area is cleared when Button B is clicked
Extension task:
⮚ Write code to work out the average temperature
Exercise 1 – Modify (sample solution)
Exercise 1 – Make (sample solution)
Conditional statements
Condition
True
Do this
Conditional statements
Age of child?
Child’s
age < 5
True
What block do you think the conditional
block should sit inside?
Admission
Free
Conditional statements
Condition
True False
Do this Do that
Conditional statements
Age of child?
Child’s
age < 5
True False
Admission Admission
Free €10
Challenge task
On start set age
If less than 5, display “FREE”
Else, display “10euro”
Extension: Can you set the age to be a random number?
Exercise 2
If the temperature is above a certain value
⮚ micro:bit should indicate that the room is hot
⮚ otherwise it should indicate that the room is cold
Exercise #2 – sample solution snippets
Feedback
Session 3
Traffic Lights
Building circuits with the micro:bit
We will…
⮚ Learn about simple circuits
⮚ Learn how to control digital outputs on the micro:bit
⮚ Learn how to wire up the digital outputs on the micro:bit
Connecting an LED
Connecting crocodile clips
Build your circuit
You will need
⮚ Micro:bit
⮚ Crocodile clips
⮚ LED
⮚ Resistor
How can we turn the LED on and off?
How can we CONTROL the LED?
Controlling an LED
General Purpose Input Output (GPIO) pins
0, 1, 2
Write a program to control the LED
Traffic lights problem
How do the traffic lights at a pedestrian crossing work?
Explain the steps one by one
Any issues that might arise?
Traffic Lights
Suggested solution
Micro:bit kits
