do your :bit
Introduction
do your :bit brings together the micro:bit and the UN’s Global Goals to provide inspiring activities for your classroom or club and an exciting digital challenge.
Resources for your classrooms and code clubs
Use the resources on this page to introduce the Global Goals, have fun with the micro:bit and develop world changing ideas and solutions using technology. Your students can enter the challenge now.
This year's challenge focuses on Goal 3 - Good Health and Well-being, and Goal 13 - Climate Action but we welcome entries that focus on any of the Global Goals.
Inspiration
The do your :bit challenge adds social purpose to digital learning and allows students to apply their digital skills to real world solutions.
Find out from teachers and educators across the world why do your :bit is a fantastic challenge to run with your students, why it excites young people and what resources are available to support you. Then be inspired by our previous challenge entries.
Global Guides
The UN’s Global Goals or Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) are a call for action by all countries to promote prosperity for everyone while protecting the planet. Use our guides to introduce the Goals to students and young people.
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Introducing the Global Goals
Find out more about the UN Goals
Read More
Good Health & Well-being
Introduce Goal 3 to students
Read More
Climate Action
Activities linked to Goal 13
Read More
Enter Now
micro:bit project ideas
Calming LEDs
Regulate your breathing and relax
Read More
Send a smile
Share some happiness with radio
Read More
Animal tracker
Build a prototype radio animal tracker
Read More
Light-up fishing nets
Prototype safer fishing nets
Read More
Saving sea turtles
Prototype turtle-safe beach lighting
Read More
Step counter
Make your own step counter with a micro:bit
Read More
Video Lessons
Episode one sets the foundation for the series and introduces what AI is and how it can work.
Episode two - learn about AI for Earth and code with micro:bit radio to send and receive animal tracking data.
Enter the challenge
You can enter the challenge now. The challenge closes at 12:00pm (BST) on July 30, 2021.
What are the prizes?
Winners from all over the world will receive the new micro:bit and a selection of micro:bit accessories. Second and third place runners-up will also receive the new micro:bit.
Who can enter?
Young people aged 8 – 18 anywhere in the world can enter the challenge. You can enter on your own or as part of a team. Teams can contain up to 3 members.
How to enter
We want you to design a solution to a problem that affects you and your community or another community somewhere in the world. Whatever the issue, we’re interested to hear how you would go about solving it. Use your imagination and be as creative as possible!
There will be two age categories for entry this year.
8-14 year olds
Submit an idea that solves a problem that works towards delivering the Global Goals and create a paper prototype to explain the idea, OR
Design and make a solution using the micro:bit to solve a problem that works towards delivering the Global Goals.
15-18 year olds
Design and make a solution using the micro:bit to solve a problem that works towards delivering the Global Goals.
What do I need to do?
To enter the challenge, you will need:
to tell us about your solution - What have you created? Why have you created it? How it will it help your community or another community?
a paper prototype showing how your idea will work. This should be a photograph of your plans. Perhaps draw your solution with notes describing its functionality.
Or a .hex file of your prototype code
if you so choose, you may also include a video or photos of your device in action.
For more details, take a look at the the full challenge terms and conditions.
Winners
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2020 Winners
Read about their solutions
Read More
2019 Winners
Find out about their entries
Read More
Enter Now
Announcing the New Micro:bit
The Micro:bit Educational Foundation has announced the manufacturing and launch of the latest version of the micro:bit.
The BBC micro:bit, a pocket-sized computer helping to inspire more than 25 million children to learn digital creativity and computing skills, will receive its first major updates since launching in 2016.
Available from mid-November 2020, it will now include a built-in speaker and microphone, enabling people to learn through sound and to get creative with it straight out-of-the-box. The hardware also includes a number of technical upgrades to ensure that in the future the device is an ideal tool for exploring, understanding and experimenting with AI and ML, as these technologies begin to transform the planet.
The new micro:bit continues to support all of the same features that teachers and students have come to love, and all the existing lessons and code for the original micro:bit will be compatible with the new device. In addition, as part of the Micro:bit Educational Foundation’s commitment to keeping the device as cost-effective and accessible as possible, the new device will be released in November at a similar price point to the original.
What's New
Sense sound and transform projects with the microphone
Make sound and bring your micro:bit to life with the speaker
Program the gold micro:bit logo to respond to your touch
More computing power
Handy power save button
Comparison Chart
Feature
Current (V1.5)
Latest (v2)
Processor
Nordic Semiconductor nRF51822
Nordic Semiconductor nRF52833
Memory
256kB Flash, 16kB RAM
512kB Flash, 128kB RAM
Interface
NXP KL26Z, 16kB RAM
NXP KL27Z, 32kB RAM
Microphone
N/A
MEMS microphone and LED indicator
Speaker
N/A
On board speaker
Logo Touch
N/A
Touch sensitive logo pin
Edge Connector
25 pins. 3 dedicated GPIO, PWM, i2c, SPI and ext. power.
3 ring pins for connecting crocodile clips/banana plugs.
25 pins. 4 dedicated GPIO, PWM, i2c, SPI and ext. power.
3 ring pins for connecting crocodile clips/banana plugs. Notched for easier connection
I2C
Shared I2C Bus
Dedicated I2C Bus for peripherals
Wireless
2.4Ghz Micro:bit Radio/BLE Bluetooth 4.0
2.4Ghz Micro:bit Radio/BLE Bluetooth 5.0
Power
5V via Micro USB port, 3V via edge connector or battery pack
5V via Micro USB port, 3V via edge connector or battery pack,
LED power indicator, Power off (push and hold power button)
Current Available
90mA available for accessories
200mA available for accessories
Motion Sensor
ST LSM 303
ST LSM 303
Software
C++, MakeCode, Python, Scratch
C++, MakeCode, Python, Scratch
Size
5cm(w) x 4cm(h)
5cm(w) x 4cm(h)
New Way to Connect Crocodile Clips
Micro:bit Packaging
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BBC micro:bit v2 Single
Contents
1x Micro:bit Board & 1x User Guide.
Purchase Here
BBC micro:bit v2 GO
Contents
1x Micro:bit Board, 1x User Guide, 1x USB Cable, 1x Battery Holder & 2x AAA Batteries.
Purchase Here
BBC micro:bit v2 Club
Contents
10x Micro:bit Board, 10x User Guide, 10x USB Cable, 10x Battery Holder & 20x AAA Batteries.
Purchase Here
The micro:bit Go & Club now come with a 30cm USB cable and the latest micro:bit which can be powered off by pushing and holding the power button.
Important Info
Updating .hex files
The editors and apps are being updated over the coming weeks and are currrently in beta. When they are released, you should update any compiled .hex files that you host as part of your resources. To do this, simply drag and drop them into the editor in which they were created and then download the .hex file.
Universal Hex Note that the updated file will be ~1.8Mb as opposed to ~700Kb in size. This increase in size means that the hex file can be used on any board revision and is called a Universal Hex file.
Bluetooth BLE
A hex file that enables all micro:bit Bluetooth services is available to use for testing BLE. Download the updated version of the BLE all services hex.
Code Editors
The editors will support both versions simultaneously for features common to both boards,for example the motion sensor, LEDs, buttons etc.
Makecode
You can use the latest board revision in the beta editor https://makecode.microbit.org/beta
An extension has been developed to include the microphone and logo touch features currently available. https://github.com/microbit-foundation/pxt-microbit-v2-extension
Open https://makecode.microbit.org/beta
Select Advanced > Add Extension and paste https://github.com/microbit-foundation/pxt-microbit-v2-extension into the search box.
Click on the extension to add it to the toolbox.
V2 MakeCode APIs The Microphone and Logo touch features can be found in the Input menu.
The Speaker features can be found in the music menu.
Python
You can use the latest board revision and APIs in the Python beta editor: https://python.microbit.org/v/beta
If you want to use a specific or custom build of MicroPython you can do this in Mu.
Drag and drop the MicroPython binary on to the MICROBIT drive
Open the Files tab in Mu and copy main.py from the Files on your computer to the Files on your micro:bit
More info on the micro:bit V2 here
Today we finally got our hands on the Kai's Clan Starter 4 Pack and with this we were able to dive into one of my personal favourite coding experiences of all time.
Before I get into the nitty gritty of coding let's talk about the setup, which at times can be troublesome with other products. The Kai's Clan Starter 4 Pack was surprisingly easy to setup for a product that offers so much. It only required a few moments of our time to watch the setup video and then work through the Quick Start Quide to setup and begin coding the robots. The robots come pre-charged and are ready to go off and adventure on the included Rescue Run Adventure AR/VR Mat.
Kai's Clan is well supported by ready to use online projects developed by teachers and students for all levels of expertise. The projects are categorised into three levels of coding, Junior, Intermediate and Advanced.
Nitty gritty time! Kai's Clan uses an online web-based app called Kai's Clan Blockly. Blockly coding is a drag and drop based programming language. It is one of the most basic forms of coding.
The Kai's Clan Blockly interface was intuitive and very easy to follow. It has a fantastic way of introducing newcommers to coding by splitting the coding blocks into two segments, newbie and expert. This keeps some of the more comprehensive and complex coding options out of the way allowing you to learn the basics easier and quicker.
In conclusion I thoroughly enjoyed my first hands on experience with this product and I look forward to learning and experimenting more with it.
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