The Micro:bit microcontroller is a powerful(and affordable) programming and design platform that can be used to to easily build anything from robots to lie detectors. Students in this class will transform their already amazing Micro:Bit into a smartwatch with the help of an easy to install module from the company Elecfreaks. We will learn how to use the Micro:Bit coding language MakeCode to use the Micro:Bit onboard sensors with powerful and sometimes humorous results. 

IMPORTANT: This is a FLEX class and does not have regularly schedule Live lessons. Each week's lesson has a recorded video that is identical to the content that would be taught in the Live version of the class. Students can follow the lesson at their own pace and on their own schedule. Class and teacher interaction will take place in a variety of ways including Outschool messager as well as live Zoom meetings that can be scheduled. 

Each week of the class students will learn and experiment with a new and exciting programming skill. Each skill will be introduced through a detailed video tutorial with plenty of opportunity for students to make their own choices. collaborate with the teacher as well as the class. Each week's lesson will provide an open ended challenge to students to use their creativity and create their own Micro:Bit masterpiece using that week's skill.

Teacher - Student Collaboration
Students will be offered a variety of different ways we can work together as they program their Micro:Bits. I love when students ask question such as "How would I....?" or "Is this possible?". The essence of coding is creativity and invention so I be available to help students program solve a stubborn error or discover a new way to debug their programs. These interactions can be as simple as a message with attached code or we can schedule a live Zoom meeting to dig deeper into the challenge and discuss possible solutions. 

Student to Student Collaboration
Collaboration between students will be highly encouraged as we all benefit when we are able to look our own code through the eyes of our classmates. As students complete each mini-challenge or weekly challenge their creations will be added to a a virtual "Maker Fair" where students are able to test out each of the classes codes and provide positive feedback to their classmates. Students will be encouraged to create "Remixes" of other student's codes and add their own personality to their favorite programs. 

Weekly Class Agenda

Week 1 Theme 
Your Smart Watch Interacts With The World(LEDs, Compass and Sounds)
We will begin this week by assembling the Smart Watch Module and learning how to operate its basic functions. Once that is complete it is time to go in a whole new “direction” with the Micro:Bit’s compass. Get it… direction? 
We can teach our Micro:Bit watch to show images, words, play music or all of the above when we face north, east, south or west. We use even more input gestures to control the watch including, leaning forward, back, left or right or even jumping! Lastly we will incorporate the internal light sensors of the Micro:Bit for even more fun!

Week 1 Maker Challenge: 
Students will create their own interactive watch code where the watch reacts to a whole variety of inputs of their choosing. Students will share their finished code and participate in our first student "Maker Fair" where they will be able to interact with all the creations made by their classmates.

Week 2 Theme
Step to it! Step Counters and movement games 

Students will be the week by learning how to code their Micro:Bits to harness the internal accelerometer sensor to count the wearer’s steps.(Somewhat accurately). Students will be challenged to decide which of several methods will result in the most accurate measure of a user’s steps and ways to avoid potential cheating! We will introduce the use of variables and functions to create a stepping goal or even a time based stepping challenge!  

Week 2 Maker Challenge
Students will create their own step counting game complete with the inputs and outputs of their choice. Students will share their finished code and participate in our first student "Maker Fair" where they will be able to interact with all the creations made by their classmates.

Week 3 Theme
Radio Micro:Bit Detectors And Alarms

What is better than one Micro:Bit? Two Micro:Bits working together. We will learn how to harness the Micro:Bit's internal radio system to allow Micro:Bits to send messages back and forth or even have one Bit serve as a remote control for the other. Micro:Bits can even play hide and go seek! We will program our Micro:Bit watch to serve as a "metal detector" for our second Micro:Bit and respond with the inputs of our choosing.

Week 3 Maker Challenge
Students will create their own radio based Hide and Go Seek game complete with a custom timer and point system. Students will share their finished code and participate in our student "Maker Fair" where they will be able to interact with all the creations made by their classmates.

Week 4 Theme
It’s Time! Clocks, Timers and Hourglasses Oh My!
You may think it’s easy to code the Micro:Bit to tell time, but it’s harder than it looks! We will take our timer skill from the previous week and teach the Micro:Bit tell time like humans do! We will learn how to make functions that will convert the easy to measure seconds into a variety of different time telling instruments including a Micro:Bit hourglass!

Week 4 Maker Challenge
Create your very own clock or stopwatch with any of the clock types we have covered complete with alarms and a reset button.  Students will share their finished code and participate in our first student "Maker Fair" where they will be able to interact with all the creations made by their classmates.


Supplies:
2x Micro:Bits(any of the following)
Any of the following Micro:Bit Kits would be perfect for this class. There are two Micro:Bit devices required so buying two of any of the kits below or one kit and a single Micro:Bit without the extra components will be perfect for this class.  Let me know if you have any questions and I will be glad to help. I have given several options since items do sell out on Amazon. A couple are a little more expensive, but come with more components. 

Choose 2 Micro:Bits From This List(Or any other source)
https://www.amazon.com/micro-bit-BBC2546862-Micro-go/dp/B01G8X7VM2/

https://www.amazon.com/BBC-Micro-Built-Microphone-Integrates/dp/B08TP4856D/

https://www.amazon.com/Vilros-BBC-Micro-Project-Starter/dp/B08WTBNJ5Q/

https://www.amazon.com/Vilros-BBC-Micro-Basic-Starter/dp/B08WR4X7P9/

1 Micro:Bit Watch Kit
https://www.amazon.com/Elecfreaks-microbit-Smart-Coding-Micro/dp/B088TQTRD5/