The micro:bit uses some clever tricks to measure both light and temperature. Want to see how it can measure the light level and temprature? Watch these videos to learn how it does it.
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(`
. # # # .
# . . . #
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. . . . .
. . . . .
`)
basic.showLeds(`
. # # # .
# . . . #
. # . # .
. . . . .
. . . . .
`)
basic.showLeds(`
. # # # .
# . . . #
. # # # .
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. . . . .
`)
basic.showLeds(`
. . . . .
. # . # .
. . . . .
. # # # .
# . . . #
`)
} else {
basic.showLeds(`
# . . . .
. . . . .
. . . . .
. . . . .
. . . . .
`)
basic.showLeds(`
. # . . .
# # . . .
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. . . . .
`)
basic.showLeds(`
. . # . .
. . # . .
# # # . .
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. . . . .
`)
basic.showLeds(`
. . # # .
. . # . .
# # # . .
# . . # .
. . . . .
`)
basic.showLeds(`
. . # # #
. . # . .
# # # . .
# . . # .
# . . . #
`)
basic.showLeds(`
. . . . .
. # . # .
. . . . .
# . . . #
. # # # .
`)
}
})
input.onButtonPressed(Button.A, () => {
if (input.temperature() < 22 && input.temperature() > 6) {
basic.showLeds(`
. . . . .
. . . . .
. . # . .
. . . . .
. . . . .
`)
basic.showLeds(`
. . . . .
. . # . .
. # # # .
. . # . .
. . . . .
`)
basic.showLeds(`
. . . . .
. . . . .
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. . . . .
. . . . .
`)
basic.showLeds(`
# # # # #
# # # # #
# # # # #
# # # # #
# # # # #
`)
} else {
basic.showLeds(`
. . . . .
. . . . .
. . # . .
. . . . .
. . . . .
`)
basic.showLeds(`
. . . . .
. . . . .
. # # # .
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. . . . .
`)
basic.showLeds(`
. . . . .
. . . . .
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. . . . .
. . . . .
`)
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.randomRange(0, 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.randomRange(0, 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.randomRange(0, 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.