Lesson 12: Tilt Alarm with micro:bit

Option 1: This activity helps students understand how physical devices use sensors to track data and solve problems. Students will create a sound meter to gauge the classroom's noise level. Each student will program their micro:bit to react to the volume in the classroom. Once the sound meters are created, you can challenge the whole class to see how long they can stay quiet enough to get all the smiley faces to show up.

Find the code for the Sound Meter project here.

Find the student handout for the Sound Meter project here.

Option 2: This could also be an opportunity to have students explore the light sensor on the micro:bit and create an alarm clock that shines and plays music when the sun rises but when it is dark it turns into a night light.

Find the code for the Alarm Clock project here.

Find the student handout for the Alarm Clock project here.

Say: Today's aim is to use the micro:bit's accelerometer and radio features to make an alarm that warns you when something has been moved - and learn how functions can make code more compact and easier to read and modify.

[Option 1] Do this: Watch the introduction video.

[Option 2] Do this: Explore the project uploaded onto micro:bits prior to the lesson.

Discuss where these concepts are being used and where students have used them before:

• Functions: a piece of code that you can call over and over again (e.g., the alarm showing an image on the LED display and playing an audible alert is in a function because it's used twice: when the micro:bit is moved and when is receives an alert message by radio)

Do this: Share the project working in the simulator with your students and look at the code together prior to students coding the main activity.

Students will make the project themselves using the MakeCode editor and micro:bit simulator. Once they have tested their code in the simulator, they will download their code onto the micro:bits.

Pick one:

• Step by step coding video
• Live micro:bit classroom session

After completing the lesson, assess students' knowledge of the concepts covered by going through the assessment slides in the slide deck. You can also assign students a content assessment hosted on the JuiceMind platform. To assign the assessment to your students, click here.

Share student work, revisit key concepts used, and explore ideas for extended learning.

Change the alert: Edit the function to change the alert - for example, you could use animations, scrolling text, or different sounds.

Radio distance: Test how far away you can get before the radio messages stop working.

Split the code: Split the code into two different programs - one just to send a radio signal when shaken which can be kept in the object you want to keep safe, and another that just receives messages and alerts you.

Find this project and more on microbit.org