The Invent to Learn Guide to the micro:bit

Book info: The Invent to Learn Guide to the micro:bit (Paperback, 234 pages) – Constructing Modern Knowledge Press, 2023. Language: English.

The most comprehensive micro:bit and MakeCode book to date!Get ready to ignite your creativity and explore the world of physical computing with The Invent to Learn Guide to the micro:bit! This full-color book teaches learners of all ages how to code and build interactive gadgets using the popular BBC micro:bit microcontroller. The Invent to Learn Guide to the micro:bit invites learners to create dozens of simple-to-complex, open-ended, hands-on projects using one or more micro:bits, upcycled junk, and craft supplies. Learn to extend the power of the micro:bit by adding LEDs, sound, motors, and sensors to your inventions.With clear instructions and step-by-step explanations, The Invent to Learn Guide to the micro:bit is perfect for beginners and experienced makers and coders alike. The book features more than 30 projects with full-color step-by-step building instructions and code, catering to a wide range of interests.The Invent to Learn Guide to the micro:bit takes a comprehensive approach to coding, craft, and creativity to teach physical computing, engineering, computer science, and electronics to young people ages 8-16.Millions of the BBC micro:bit, a miraculous low-cost microcontroller development board, are in use across the globe. This book teaches children to make and code exciting interactive projects using the micro:bit as its “brain board”– expanding the range of what was previously possible.The Microsoft MakeCode block-based programming environment is used to bring interactive inventions to life. Powerful computer science skills are developed via whimsical programming projects that appeal to girls and boys. The code used in each project is fully explained and young inventors are challenged to build upon their emerging computational fluency in increasingly complex projects.The book includes robust resources for expanding your micro:bit adventures. Explore Python and Scratch, use expansion boards, and learn to create online micro:bit lessons.Coding, craft, and creativity

• Each project features both making and coding with at least one micro:bit
• Open-ended challenges encourage long-term use and support project-based learning goals
• Most projects use the popular micro:bit V1, while many projects include adaptations for the new V2 micro:bit
• Projects are open-ended, personal, & customizable
• Students learn computing principles by programming
• Debugging strategies teach valuable problem-solving skills
• Computational thinking is nurtured by thorough and developmentally appropriate explanations of block-based programs

Teacher resourcesCreative teachers may use the book as a source of inspiration for classroom projects or as the basis for a semester-long course of study. Bring STEM/STEAM to life by making and coding with the BBC micro:bit in classrooms, makerspaces, libraries, or at home.

• How to stream lessons and track student projects
• Sample unit lesson plans
• Teaching tips for MakeCode and Scratch with the micro:bit
• Downloadable project-planning template
• Afterword for educators by Gary S. Stager, “Why This Book Matters”

Over 30 ProjectsThe Invent to Learn Guide to the micro:bit offers more than 30 projects with full color step-by-step building instructions and code. Projects progress from simple to complex and cater to a wide range of interests. Projects can be built with easy to find materials, such as cardboard, craft supplies, and simple no-soldering-needed connections to LEDs and other basic electronics.

• Remote control vehicles
• Doll hacking
• Musical fruit
• Interactive holiday decorations
• Drawing robots
• Games and game controllers
• Wearable computing
• Collecting and analyzing data
• Scratch, Python, and other coding options

Editorial Reviews Review Thoughtfully scaffolded and bursting with creativity, The Invent to Learn Guide to the micro:bit is the guide to whimsical fun for which we have been waiting! Open-ended enough to encourage further exploration, you will feel confident and supported through each step of myriad projects. Whether you are new to the micro:bit or a seasoned programmer, your toolkit should include this wonderful guide!
- Josh Burker, Educator and author of The Invent to Learn Guide to Fun and The Invent to Learn Guide to More Fun

This book takes learners from the basics through complex programming challenges quickly with engaging projects and games. The authors do a terrific job of showing how micro:bits can be used by themselves, with external electronics like servos and LEDs, as well as to control online animations with Scratch. Each project has been constructed with helpful pictures, excellent tips, and fun graphics to move learners through the steps, and most importantly, each project includes an "Understanding the Code" section which teaches learners why the example code works. I love that each project is followed up with open-ended challenges for learners to deepen their experiences. There are plenty of resources for teachers of any programming comfort level to start using micro:bits in their classrooms. I am so excited for my students of all ages to play and learn with micro:bits using this book!
- Kristin Burrus, Innovation Program Manager at the Global Center for Digital Innovation

The Invent to Learn Guide to the micro:bit is the book novice and enthusiast micro:bit users have been waiting for. Colorful illustrations and resources throughout the book help guide readers in turning an idea into innovation. The authors did a brilliant job of combining basic materials with easy-to-follow physical computing examples that can be used throughout the year.
- Tonya Coats, Elementary Educator

The Invent to Learn Guide to the micro:bit is a wonderful way to start using coding with intermediate and middle grade students. The colorful illustrations, creative ideas, and step-by-step instructions are sure to engage kids in hands-on learning experiences that build a foundation of coding skills beyond the limitations of an all-digital environment. I love the "phygital" approach to computational thinking that physical computing devices provide, and this book is a start-up guide appropriate for any class.
- Becky Keene, Microsoft Education Fellow and author

"This is a well-written, tested, and thorough book that I can't wait to add to my library! Thank you Pauline for putting in the time and working with all of your student engineers and beta testers. This work is part of your ongoing community collaboration—you are an integral part of the micro:bit community making materials to keep students learning, building, and creating!"
- Melissa Wrenchey, Educator and Librarian, Tesla STEM High School, Washington

"I recently read Pauline Maas's book about the micro:bit, and I was thoroughly impressed. Maas's writing is clear and concise, making it easy to follow along, even for someone with little experience in computer programming. The book's step-by-step guides and examples of projects are sure to inspire and spark new ideas. Maas also includes valuable tips and tricks for troubleshooting common problems. Overall, I highly recommend this book for anyone looking to learn more about the micro:bit and unleash their creativity with this amazing device."
- Ramon Moorlag, computer science teacher, Chair Dutch CS teacher association, CodeWeek Netherlands co-lead From the Inside Flap Make, Code, Learn!

Pauline Maas and Peter Heldens assembled a book featuring more than thirty full-color projects that appeal as much to artists as engineers. Dreamers, tinkerers, and programmers will find projects to love, complete with everything they need to bring their inventions to life.

Their brand new book invites readers to do something with the micro:bit right away, then explains the code, offers tips and challenges for extending the learning adventure. Projects are organized in four collections without any attention being drawn to hierarchy, yet the powerful ideas build as projects gradually grow in complexity. Each project includes physical making and coding using Microsoft's block-based MakeCode software, freely available online.

Upcycled junk, craft supplies, and a big dose of ingenuity combine to bring toys to life, amaze your friends, play games, conduct science experiments, and more all while learning powerful ideas from engineering, computer science, and design.

This 234 page book exemplifies extended play value. Readers are inspired to take the ideas presented and build upon them in their own inventions. Powerful computing concepts are developed in a comprehensive fashion intended to develop programming fluency.

Kids and teachers alike should love the book's choice of projects with their varying degrees of difficulty. The book was written to appeal to different personalities.

Experiencing how the micro:bit may be used in an infinite number of ways to power one's own inventions transforms robotics and programming from a rare classroom activity into a vehicle an intellectual laboratory and vehicle for self-expression. This spirit of empowerment embodies the design ethos of extended play value. Readers will return to the book over and over again as they create, learn, and grow.