Lesson 5: Sensory Toy with micro:bit

Say: Today's aim is to use the micro:bit's accelerometer to make a toy that reacts to different movements by making different sounds and showing different pictures on the LED display outfit.

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

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

Discuss how a project like this could help learners who respond well to stimulation through touch, light, and sound.

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

• Events: an action that causes something to happen
• Impacts of computing: understanding the good and bad effects computing can have on different groups of people
• Designing for accessibility: making design decisions that are driven by the needs of different groups of people

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.

Note that the code for this project uses the "play 'giggle', etc." block that works in the simulator and on the BBC micro:bit V2 with the built-in speaker. If you have the micro:bit V1, you can code this project without sound, or use the "play melody" block instead and connect headphones or an amplified speaker to pins 0 and GND.

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.

After students have created a sensory toy, this concept can be expanded to further teach students about the importance of accessibility and how technology can help support people in different ways. For individuals with physical limitations that make speaking or writing difficult, sensory apps can provide alternative communication channels. This fosters independence and allows them to participate more actively in daily life.

These devices are called Augmentative and Alternative communication devices and are frequently used by non-verbal students in schools. Here is a video of students using an AAC device in the classroom.

Find the code for this project here.

Find the student handout for this project here.

Find a list of frequently used core words for this project here.

Make animations: Use loops to create animations when the micro:bit is moved in different ways.

Touch sensing: Add more inputs such as touching the logo on the micro:bit V2, touching the pins, or making touchable buttons out of tin foil and attaching those to the pins.

Learn more about touch pins here.

Find this project and more on microbit.org