Microbits and design and production

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How do you use digital technologies in projects that are relevant and meaningful? This is an introductory project for first time users.

 The amount of curriculum content required to be taught does require a degree of integration to ensure we have time to cover all outcomes. When integrating content it is important to ensure you map all outcomes from all key learning areas to the unit of work.

 Australian Curriculum has Design and Technology and Digital Technologies. NSW in 2019 will introduce a new K-6 Science and Technology and 7-8 Tech Mandatory.

 This showcases a method of introducing microbits to a group of year 5 students that have minimal coding experience. This project is below grade level but a start on where they will need to be by the end of year 6.
Australian Curriculum

  • Design, modify and follow simple algorithms involving sequences of steps, branching, and iteration (repetition) (ACTDIP019)
  • Implement digital solutions as simple visual programs involving branching, iteration (repetition), and user input (ACTDIP020)
  • Plan, create and communicate ideas and information, including collaboratively online, applying agreed ethical, social and technical protocols (ACTDIP022)
  • Living things have structural features and adaptations that help them to survive in their environment (ACSSU043)


 New South Wales Outcomes (2019)

  • ST3-2DP-T plans and uses materials, tools and equipment to develop solutions for a need or opportunity.
  • ST3-3DP-T defines problems, and designs, modifies and follows algorithms to develop solutions. 
  • ST3-4LW-S examines how the environment affects the growth, survival and adaptation of living things.
  • ST3-11DI-T explains how digital systems represent data, connect together to form networks and transmit data

Description of Unit and task.

In a unit of work on how animals and plants adapt to their environment. Students are required to design and produce their own creature and describe the adaptions. 

Part of the creature students are encouraged to use with Microbits to make eyes for their creature.

The Microbits could be used for eyes or a red spot on the back of the animal as camouflage.


Simple Example of eyes program.
  1. Open the Browser.
  2. Go to http://microbit.org/
  3. Click on Let's Code.
  4. Click on Let's Code button for Javascript. (block based coding)
  5. Click on Loops and drag out the green repeat block.
  6. Click on the blue Basic menu and drag the blue Show LEDs block into the Repeat loop. 
  7. Click on the Basic menu and drag out the blue pause(ms) block.
  8. Click on the blue Basic menu and drag the blue Show LEDs block into the Repeat loop. 
  9. Click on the small squares in the required pattern to simulate the eye movement.


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