Teaching MicroPython with the BBC micro:bit at NCSS
summary
At a ten‑day NCSS residential course for about 100–120 students split into Python and embedded streams the organisers replace Arduino with micro:bit boards running MicroPython to cut debugging time and teach networking using the boards’ radio networking. Students build working projects — dance pads, human Flappy Bird, arm‑wrestling robots, ski‑race and push‑up counters — often adding Wi‑Fi via Pi‑HATs or leaderboards; outcome is higher confidence, faster iteration, robust end‑to‑end projects that actually run at demo time.
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chapters (22)
- 0:00Introduction
- 2:03Summer School
- 2:50Electronics
- 4:54A cautionary tale
- 6:21The 2013 project
- 7:40The upside of Arduino
- 8:35What is the microbit
- 9:15Onboard functionality
- 9:38What is MicroPython
- 11:07What is the BBC microbit
- 11:26BBC microbit vs Arduino
- 12:18Radio
- 13:33Python
- 14:31Projects
- 15:54Asking Questions
- 16:34Pi Board
- 17:06Sense of Health
- 17:27Student Projects
- 21:22Accessories
- 23:05Thanks
- 23:16WiseTech Global
- 23:58Questions
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