Project: Boolean
This is an assignment for students to come up with a micro:bit program that uses Boolean variables, Boolean operators, and possibly the random function.
Input
Remind the students of all the different inputs available to them through the micro:bit.
Project Ideas
Sunscreen Monitor
When you shake the micro:bit, it reports the current temperature in degrees Fahrenheit. Button B measures the light level and if it is above 70 degrees AND very bright, it will display a sun icon. If it is above 70 degrees and less bright, it will display a cloudy symbol. If it is dark, it will display a nighttime icon.
Sunscreen code
input.onButtonPressed(Button.B, () => {
if (128 > input.lightLevel() && 0 < input.lightLevel() && input.temperature() > 22) {
basic.showLeds(`
. # . # .
# . . . #
. . . . .
. . . . .
. . . . .
`)
basic.showLeds(`
. # # # .
# . . . #
. . . . .
. . . . .
. . . . .
`)
basic.showLeds(`
. # # # .
# . . . #
. # . # .
. . . . .
. . . . .
`)
basic.showLeds(`
. # # # .
# . . . #
. # # # .
. . . . .
. . . . .
`)
basic.showLeds(`
. . . . .
. # . # .
. . . . .
. # # # .
# . . . #
`)
} else {
basic.showLeds(`
# . . . .
. . . . .
. . . . .
. . . . .
. . . . .
`)
basic.showLeds(`
. # . . .
# # . . .
. . . . .
. . . . .
. . . . .
`)
basic.showLeds(`
. . # . .
. . # . .
# # # . .
. . . . .
. . . . .
`)
basic.showLeds(`
. . # # .
. . # . .
# # # . .
# . . # .
. . . . .
`)
basic.showLeds(`
. . # # #
. . # . .
# # # . .
# . . # .
# . . . #
`)
basic.showLeds(`
. . . . .
. # . # .
. . . . .
# . . . #
. # # # .
`)
}
})
input.onButtonPressed(Button.A, () => {
if (input.temperature() < 22 && input.temperature() > 6) {
basic.showLeds(`
. . . . .
. . . . .
. . # . .
. . . . .
. . . . .
`)
basic.showLeds(`
. . . . .
. . # . .
. # # # .
. . # . .
. . . . .
`)
basic.showLeds(`
. . . . .
. . . . .
. . . . .
. . . . .
. . . . .
`)
basic.showLeds(`
# # # # #
# # # # #
# # # # #
# # # # #
# # # # #
`)
} else {
basic.showLeds(`
. . . . .
. . . . .
. . # . .
. . . . .
. . . . .
`)
basic.showLeds(`
. . . . .
. . . . .
. # # # .
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. . . . .
`)
basic.showLeds(`
. . . . .
. . . . .
. . . . .
. . . . .
. . . . .
`)
basic.showLeds(`
# # # # #
# . . . #
# . . . #
# . . . #
# # # # #
`)
}
})
input.onGesture(Gesture.Shake, () => {
basic.clearScreen()
basic.showNumber(input.temperature() * 2 + 32)
})Button A displays an animation to tell you whether or not you should use sunscreen (on sunny or cloudy days but not at night or indoors.)
Make a holder that can hold the micro:bit and a bottle of sunscreen.
This example uses boolean operations because both light level AND temperature must be high in order to trigger the sun icon:
if (128 > input.lightLevel() && 0 < input.lightLevel() && input.temperature() > 22) {}Two-player game
Create a game in which two players take turns on the same micro:bit. You can use a boolean variable called PlayerATurn to keep track of whose turn it is.
Board Game: Use boolean variables and random values as part of a board game (or improve your Board Game from the Variables lesson). Make the board and pieces and a holder for the micro:bit. Try modding a current board game.
Board Game with Arrows
Board game arrow code
let player1Turn = false
let spin = 0
let delay = 0
input.onGesture(Gesture.Shake, () => {
if (player1Turn == true && Math.random(4) < 3) {
basic.clearScreen()
delay = 0
while (delay < 500) {
basic.showLeds(`
. . # . .
. # # . .
# # # # .
. # # . .
. . # . .
`)
delay += 50
basic.pause(delay)
basic.showLeds(`
. . # . .
. # # # .
# # # # #
. . # . .
. . . . .
`)
delay += 50
basic.pause(delay)
basic.showLeds(`
. . # . .
. . # # .
. # # # #
. . # # .
. . # . .
`)
delay += 50
basic.pause(delay)
basic.showLeds(`
. . . . .
. . # . .
# # # # #
. # # # .
. . # . .
`)
basic.pause(delay)
delay += 50
player1Turn = false
}
} else if (player1Turn) {
basic.showString("Crash!")
player1Turn = false
} else if (Math.random(4) < 3) {
basic.clearScreen()
delay = 0
while (delay < 500) {
basic.showLeds(`
. . # . .
. # # . #
# # # # #
. # # . #
. . # . .
`)
delay += 50
basic.pause(delay)
basic.showLeds(`
. . # . .
. # # # .
# # # # #
. . # . .
. # # # .
`)
delay += 50
basic.pause(delay)
basic.showLeds(`
. . # . .
# . # # .
# # # # #
# . # # .
. . # . .
`)
delay += 50
basic.pause(delay)
basic.showLeds(`
. # # # .
. . # . .
# # # # #
. # # # .
. . # . .
`)
basic.pause(delay)
delay += 50
player1Turn = true
}
} else {
basic.showString("Crash!")
player1Turn = true
}
})
basic.forever(() => {
})
delay = 0
spin = 0
player1Turn = trueThis is an example of a board game in which the micro:bit displays an arrow pointing in a random direction. The paper legend indicates different actions the player must take.
Here is a portion of the board game’s code. A boolean variable is used to determine whose turn it is. If player1Turn is false, then it’s player 2’s turn. A random number is generated to show the arrow seventy-five percent of the time (for values of 0, 1, or 2).
let player1Turn = false;
input.onGesture(Gesture.Shake, () => {
if (player1Turn == true && Math.random(4) < 3) {
}
})Reflection
Have students write a reflection of about 150–300 words, addressing the following points:
- How did you incorporate boolean variables into your micro:bit program?
- How did you incorporate boolean operators into your micro:bit program?
- Describe something in your project that you are proud of.
- If you had more time to work on this project, describe what you might add or change.
Assessment
Competency scores: 4, 3, 2, 1
Boolean
4 = More than 2 Boolean variables are implemented in a meaningful way.
3 = At least 2 Boolean variables are implemented in a meaningful way.
2 = At least 1 Boolean variable is implemented in a meaningful way.
1 = No Boolean variables are implemented.
micro:bit program
4 = micro:bit program:
* Uses Booleans in a way that is integral to the program.
* Compiles and runs as intended
* Meaningful comments in code
3 = micro:bit program lacks 1 of the required element.
2 = micro:bit program lacks 2 of the required elements.
1 = micro:bit program lacks all of the required elements.
Collaboration reflection
4 = Reflection piece addresses all prompts.
3 = Reflection piece lacks 1 of the required elements.
2 = Reflection piece lacks 2 of the required elements.
1 = Reflection piece lacks 3 of the required elements.