Microbit Robotics

Beginner

60 mins

Teacher/Student led

120 points

What you need:
Chromebook/Laptop/PC
Microbit
Traffic Lights Kit
Phillips Screwdriver

Pedestrian Crossing

In this step-by-step lesson, you'll create a pedestrian crossing simulation using the MakeCode editor and micro:bit. You'll attach STOP:bit traffic lights, add the stopbit extension, create a 'seconds' variable, and program the traffic lights sequence. You'll also learn to detect button presses and download your code to the micro:bit for testing.

Learning Goals Learning Outcomes Teacher Notes Lesson Files

Warning: Your screen size is quite small for viewing this. Rotate your device into landscape mode if you can.

1 New project and attach traffic lights
2 Add the Stopbit extension
3 Create the seconds variable
4 Show the red light
5 Button press detection
6 Traffic light sequence
7 Download code to micro:bit
Challenge
Quiz

1 - New project and attach traffic lights

Create a new project in the MakeCode editor for micro:bit by visiting https://makecode.microbit.org/.

In this lesson, you will be using the STOP:bit traffic lights. Make sure to attach the STOP:bit traffic lights to your micro:bit before starting the project.

Microbit: How to create a new Microbit project

Go to the Makecode.com Microbit website using the link below and click on the 'New Project' button underneath the 'My Projects' heading.

https://makecode.microbit.org/

Install the micro:bit app on your iPad or tablet.

Open the app, tap 'Create code' and then create a new project.

15 points

2 - Add the Stopbit extension

There are custom code blocks that we use to program our traffic lights kit. To add them to our toolbox we need to add the "stopbit" extension.

Search for the "stopbit" extension and then click on the traffic lights kit picture.

This will add the "Kitronik STOP:bit" category of code blocks to your toolbox.

Microbit: How to add an extension

To add an extension follow these steps:

Click on 'Advanced' in the toolbox
Click 'Extensions'
Type the name of the extension in the search box
Click on the extension in the search results
The extension and all it's blocks will be added to your toolbox

15 points

3 - Create the seconds variable

We will need a variable in this project called 'seconds'. This will store the amount of seconds until the light turns green.

Create a variable called 'seconds'.

Microbit: How to create a variable

In the Variables toolbox, create a new variable by clicking the 'Make a Variable' button.

Once you click this button a box will appear asking what you want to call your variable. Give it a name that reminds you what you will be using it for. For example, if you wanted to keep track of your score in a game, you would create a variable called 'score'.

10 points

4 - Show the red light

Now, let's set up the traffic lights. We want to show the red light at the start and a X on the microbit to indicate it is not safe to cross the road. Add the following code:

10 points

5 - Button press detection

Next, you'll detect when the button A on the micro:bit is pressed to simulate a pedestrian waiting to cross. Add the following code:

This code does the following:

Set seconds to 5.
In a loop which goes while seconds is greater than 0, shows the number of seconds, subtracts 1 from the seconds variable and then waits 1 second.

15 points

Unlock the Full Learning Experience

Get ready to embark on an incredible learning journey! Get access to this lesson and hundreds more in our Digital Skills Curriculum.

Get started

Pedestrian Crossing

Live Class Feed

1 - New project and attach traffic lights

Using the makecode website

Using the micro:bit app

2 - Add the Stopbit extension

3 - Create the seconds variable

4 - Show the red light

5 - Button press detection

Unlock the Full Learning Experience

Learning Points