Shooting Stars

Embark on a fun coding journey where you'll create a new Microbit project, add the neopixel extension, and set up an LED strip. You'll learn to create a 'star' that lights up with a loud sound, test it on your strip, and make it 'shoot'. Add a splash of colour to your stars and download your code to see different coloured 'stars' shooting along the strip.

Learning Goals Learning Outcomes Teacher Notes Lesson Files

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1 Create a new Microbit project
2 Add the neopixel extension
3 Setup the LED Strip
4 Create the star
5 Test it on your strip
6 Make it shoot
7 Random colours
8 Download your code
Challenge
Quiz

1 - Create a new Microbit project

To get started create a new Microbit project.

makecode.microbit.org

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.

10 points

2 - Add the neopixel extension

To access the blocks we need to program the LED strip, you need to add the neopixel extension to your project.

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 - Setup the LED Strip

To be able to interact and program the LED strip we will need a variable that stores the strip.

Add the following code to your project. We set the value to be 30 as there are 30 LEDs on the strip.

20 points

4 - Create the star

We're going to use the microphone in the microbit to detect when there's a loud sound. When it detects a loud sound we will light up the first LED on the strip white.

We put the strip show block inside the forever block so that the strip is constantly being updated, this will be important later.

Add the following code to your project.

20 points

5 - Test it on your strip

Download the code onto your microbit and connect your LED strip to it using the crocodile clips.

Test that it works by clapping your hands near the microbit, the first LED should light up white.

Microbit: How to send code to your Microbit

Give your project a name and send it to your Microbit by following these steps:

Type "your project name" into the Project Name box.
Connect your Microbit to your computer using the USB cable.
Click the 'Download' button (a file called 'microbit-project-name.hex' will be downloaded to your computer).
Open the folder on your computer where the file downloaded to.
Right click on the file.
Click Send To.
Click Microbit.

Power your microbit with a USB cable or battery pack
Pair your microbit with your iPad/tablet (hold the A and B buttons and press and release the Reset button)
Flash your project to your microbit