First, Coding with micro: bit introduces you to the hardware and software features of the BBC micro: bit, including the built-in microphone, speaker, and touch sensor added in micro: bit version 2. You'll learn new skills such as how to code your micro: bit to play music, send messages, display pictures, and detect light.
Getting started: This section gives you a tour of the micro: bit and gets you started with coding your first program.
Basics: Here, you'll learn to display images and text on the micro: bit's LED grid.
Inputs:: This section shows you how to work with the input systems on the micro: bit, like the buttons, the accelerometer, and the light sensor.
Once you've mastered these skills, the book guides you through 10 exciting projects, including a temperature sensor, simple interactive games, and even an alarm system!
The 99 game: This first project is a game of chance that involves throwing the micro: bit among a group of people. You'll learn more about coding, like using variables and control flow techniques.
Heads or tails: In this project, you'll use the LED grid and accelerometer to create a "coin toss" generator that detects when you flip your micro: bit, and displays heads or tails.
Steady hand game: This game challenges you to hold your micro: bit in your hand as long as you can without wobbling. You'll also learn more about the micro: bit's abilities and other fundamental coding techniques.
Temperature display: Here, you'll use the micro: bit's built-in temperature sensor to detect the temperature and scroll it across the LED grid.
LED control: In this project, you'll learn how to wire up an external LED and control it with code. This exercise teaches you about using the micro: bit with other components so you can build even bigger projects.
Trespasser alarm: By connecting a speaker to your micro: bit, you'll create an alarm system that detects when someone has broken into your room and alerts you by playing a tune.
Fortune teller: This project ramps up the coding complexity, showing you how to program your micro: bit to tell your fortune just like a Magic 8-Ball!
Compass: Here, you'll turn the micro: bit into a real working compass using its built-in magnetometer.
Radio communication: In this project you'll use two micro: bits to send and receive radio messages.
Bag alarm: Using your radio skills from the previous project combined with the accelerometer, you'll build a bag alarm with two micro: bits. The first micro: bit stays inside your bag and alerts a second micro: bit in your pocket if someone tries to steal your bag.
Each project has been designed to work with both versions of the micro: bit.
You'll find "Try This" sections that suggest other ways for you to try out your new knowledge. These ideas will inspire you to build your own projects with the micro: bit.
So whether you're a coding newbie, or you think you know it all, grab your micro: bit and let's get coding!
