What is BBC Micro:bit?
The BBC micro:bit is a credit card sized programmable computer. Strictly speaking, it is a microcontroller, but because it has input and output devices built in, it is more computer than microcontroller. It has an LED light display, microphone, speaker, buttons, sensors and many input/output features that can be programmed.
Do I need to know programming?
In the kit we loan there is a Projects Book which guides you through the code and electronics needed, so no coding or electronics experience is necessary to start with. You can also find a wealth of free resources and projects to try online.
The Projects Book included in the loan uses the browser based MakeCode editor, provided by Microsoft, which introduces structured programming via drag and drop coding blocks that snap together.
There are 2 other official code editors for the micro:bit:
- MicroPython, which runs in a browser and is a slimmed-down version of Python designed to run on microcontrollers
- Scratch which requires installing on a computer.
Visit Micro:bit Let's code for more information.
What else would I need to know?
The BBC Micro:bit and Inventors’s Kit by Kitronik is aimed at beginners in coding and electronics and helps you to learn the basics of both. No soldering is required as the ‘breadboard’ has push fittings.
One thing to remember is that LEDs have a positive (the long leg) and negative side (the short leg), so they must be put in circuits the correct way around in order to work. Also, never connect LEDs straight to voltage pins as they will burn out. Always put a current limiting resistor (at least 220 ohm) in the circuit.
So what can I borrow?
Our 7-day loan of the BBC Micro:bit and Inventors’s Kit contains a BBC Micro:bit v2, a power and data USB lead, an AAA battery holder, a Projects Book, breadboard and Edge Connector, as well as various electrical components (see Bag Contents for details of the components).
To use it you will need
The supplied USB lead will power the Micro:bit, but if you would like to use it away from a computer then you will need 2 AAA batteries for the battery holder.
Please note: When you return the Micro:bit it is loaded with the ‘out of box’ program to reset it for the next user, so make sure you have a copy of anything that you need before returning it.