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Innovative Learning Lab Program

Verizon Innovative Learning Lab Program Operating instructions

  • Hello! I've reviewed the Lesson Facilitator Guide for the Smart Electronics Project Prototype. This guide details how to create a Micro:bit prototype, emphasizing electronic wiring, MakeCode programming, and artistic design. I understand the process involves budget allocation, component purchasing, and end-user testing. I'm ready to assist you with any questions you may have about the prototyping process, MakeCode, and the required components.
  • What is the main goal of this lesson?
    What must each prototype include?
    What is included in the presentation video that students will create?
Verizon Innovative Learning Lab
Program
Smart Solutions
Lesson Facilitator Guide: Smart
Electronics Project: Prototype
Overview
This lesson should take 3-4 class periods, or about 150-200 minutes to complete. The project as
whole is 6 lessons and will take 2-3 weeks to complete.
In this lesson, students will refer to their sketches and budget as they create prototypes for their
project with Micro:bits. This lesson includes examples and tips for creating a prototype with
Micro:bits, but this is a great opportunity for students to be creative and dedicate a good amount of
time making a polished Micro:bit experience.
Lesson objectives
Students will be able to:
• Use your budget to purchase and wire the electronics of your Micro:bit expansion
prototype.
• Write a MakeCode program for your Micro:bit prototype.
• Build the artistic part of your prototype using the materials you listed in your budget.
Materials
To complete this Lesson, students will need:
• A laptop or tablet
• Access to your budget and final sketch from Lesson 3
• Electronic prototyping materials such as Micro:bit, expansion board, LEDs, buttons, motors,
etc. (you will have to "buy" them with your budget.)
• Artistic prototyping materials such as cardboard, paper, pipe cleaners, tape, rubber bands,
etc. (you will have to "buy" them with your budget)
• Access to MakeCode
Standards
• Common Core State Standards (CCSS) - ELA Anchors: L.6
• Common Core State Standards (CCSS) - Mathematical Practice: 2
• Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) – Science and Engineering Practices: 2
• International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE): 1, 3, 4
• National Content Standards for Entrepreneurship Education (NCEE): 1, 5
Key vocabulary
• Prototype: Simple, quick-made models used to test out an idea.
Before you begin
• Students will all be completing similar tasks in this lesson, but their prototypes will be
different depending on their user. Familiarize yourself with all three projects!
• Review the "Lesson 4: Prototype" presentations, rubric, and/or lesson modules. Note that
there are three different presentations for this lesson, as there are three different project
choices.
• Facilitation Tip: Set up a “shop” at the back of your classroom. Students must present their
sketches and completed budgets to “buy” their components.
Lesson Procedures
Warm up (5 mins)
• Welcome students to class. Use the included presentations, or direct students to the self-
guided SCORM module if you chose to post it on your Learning Management System. Explain
to students that they will be spend the next few class periods creating polished Micro:bit
prototypes.
• The warm-up question is identical for all three projects. The goal of the warm-up is for
students to see an example of the beginning and ending stages of a Micro:bit prototype.
Allow students time to answer the question on their own, then discuss it as a class.
• After reviewing the warm-up question, review the lesson objectives and materials as a class.
Let’s review your project requirements (5 mins)
• In this section, students will quickly review their project requirements. Based on their project
choice, students will be creating one of three different possible items. Regardless of project
choice, each student will need to create:
o A Budget
Students must spend no more than 500 VilCoins coins.
o Micro:bit Prototype
Either a Micro:bit Educational Technology, Micro:bit Business Technology, or
Micro:bit Smart Garden.
Each prototype must include:
• Micro:bit expansion board
• At least three inputs
• At least two outputs
• Unique MakeCode created by YOU!
• Features that show how the product would work in the real world.
o End-User Testing
Students will present their prototype to their end user, receive feedback, and
improve the prototype accordingly.
o Adobe Spark Presentation Video
Students will create a video documenting their process. The video must
include:
Who is your end-user?
What was your problem statement?
What is the name and logo for your product?
How does your product solve the problem statement?
What was the prototyping process like?
How did your prototype meet the budget and other requirements?
What did you learn from this project?
What would you need to move this project forward?
• Additionally, this is a good opportunity to review the project rubric as a class.
Example: Micro:bits prototype (10 mins)
• Students will now explore an example of a Micro:bits prototype and the process used to
create it. The prototype was completed by:
o Reviewing the sketch and budget
o Purchasing electronics
o Wiring the buzzer
o Wiring the buttons
o Wiring the touch button
o Wiring the Neo Pixel
o Writing the MakeCode – Variables
o Writing the MakeCode – If Statements
o Testing the MakeCode and Wiring
o Laying out and sketching artistic components
o Making it 3D
o Adding the components to cardboard
o Testing the final prototype!
Activity: Create your prototype (100-200 mins)
• Students will now spend multiple class periods creating their Micro:bit prototypes. It’s
recommended that students break their prototyping workflow into two sections:
• Section 1: Wire your Prototype and Write your MakeCode!
o The first step in your Micro:bit prototype is to get the electronics working!
1. Purchase the electronic components from your budget (Micro:bit, expansion board, USB
cable, buttons, LEDs, motors, etc.)
2. Wire your inputs and outputs to your Micro:bit expansion board. This document is a good
reference if you need help with wiring components!
a. Tip: the button modules work best with pins P5 and P11.
3. Go to the MakeCode Homepage and click on "New Project"
4. Program your Micro:bit to solve your user's problem
5. Remember to use at least three inputs and two outputs.
6. Upload your code to your Micro:bit and test it out! Don't worry if it doesn't work on the first
try.
7. When you are done, make sure to click "share" and keep the link to your MakeCode in a
safe place. You will turn this in at the end of the project.
For assistance with programming:
1. Buttons: Buttons are a very simple and easy to code input. Learn how to program them
here.
2. Shake Sensor: The shake sensor, or accelerometer, is great for detecting vibrations,
collisions, and steps. See how to program a step counter here!
3. Pins: Pins are an awesome input. You can touch the pins themselves or wire them to a
conductor like aluminum foil to detect human touch! Learn more here.
4. Light Sensor: Need to detect brightness and sunlight? The light sensor is your input! Lear
how to program a dark-activated night light here.
5. Temperature Sensor: Do you need to alert someone if it's too hot, too cold, or just right?
Then the temperature sensor is a great input. Here is a tutorial on how to program a
thermometer.
6. Compass: Do you need to find out a direction, or detect a change of direction? The
compass is an input that can do both of those things Learn how to program a simple
compass here.
7. LEDs: The LEDs are your main output. You can show pictures, numbers, and
information! Review how to program the LEDs here.
8. Sound: Sound is a great output for the Micro:bit. You'll have to wire your Micro:bit to
headphones or a speaker. Learn how to send sound here.
9. Radio: The radio works as both an input AND output. You will need to two Micro:bits to use
this function. Learn how to send and receive secret messages with the radio here.
10. LED Module: The LED module is an output that allows you to control a light with the "digital
write" command. Simply wire the LED module to 3.3V, GND, and a pin. Click here to review
how to wire the LED module.
11. Button Module: The button module is an input that allows you to wire and send input
signals at the push of a button. Simply wire the button module to 3.3V, GND, and either pin
P5 or P11. Click here to review how to wire the button module.
12. Servo Motor: The servo motor is an output that allows to control motion and angles to
make something move! Simply wire the motor to 3.3 V, GND, and a pin (remember: if your
motor is twitching or not responding, connect the micro-USB cable directly to the
expansion board). Click here to review how to wire the servo motor.
13. Touch Button: The touch button is an input that responds to the touch of your hand! Wire it
to 3.3V, GND, and a pin. Click here to review how to wire the touch button.
14. Neo Pixel: An awesome output consisting of a ring of LEDs that change color! Simply wire
the Neo Pixel to 3.3 V, GND, and a pin. Remember: you will have to add the "Neo Pixel
Extension" in MakeCode to access the commands. Click here to review how to wire the
NeoPixel.
15. Passive Buzzer: An output that plays music and sounds. Wire the buzzer to 3.3V, GND, and
pin P0. Click here to review how to wire the passive buzzer.
16. RGB LED: The RGB LED is a color changing output. We haven't learned how to use this
component yet, but if you are up for the challenge, click here to review how to wire the RGB
LED.
17. PIR Motion Sensor: This motion sensor is an input that detects movement. Perfect for an
alarm or motion activated features! We haven't learned how to use this component yet, but
if you are up for the challenge, click here to review how to wire the PIR Motion Sensor.
18. Ultrasonic Distance Sensor: This input detects how far away an object is. You'll have to
install the "Ultrasonic" extension in MakeCode if you wish to you use it. We haven't learned
how to use this component yet, but if you are up for the challenge, click here to review how
to wire the RGB LED.
19. Soil Probe: Is your soil too wet or too dry? This input is great for smart gardens and
keeping plants healthy. We haven't learned how to use this component yet, but if you are up
for the challenge, click here to learn how to wire it.
20. Water Level Sensor: Detect rising flood waters, leaks in a basement, the depth of a pool!
This input is great for all things water related. We haven't learned how to use this
component yet, but if you are up for the challenge, click here to learn how to wire it.
21. Potentiometer: This input functions like a volume knob. It's great for controlling volume,
brightness, or other outputs that need fine-tuning. We haven't learned how to use this
component yet, but if you are up for the challenge, click here to learn how to wire it.
Section 2: Make your Prototype Look Good
• Now that you have your MakeCode and wiring working, it's time to build the artistic side of
your prototype. Purchase the remaining materials in your budget and bring your prototype
to life!
• Remember: a prototype doesn't have to be perfect: it is just a model that represents your
idea.
• Facilitation Tip: If students are working in pairs, have students each take charge of creating
and coding one scene in the project, then linking them together!
Wrap up, deliverable, and assessment (5 mins)
• Wrap up: If time permits, review the rubric as a class and give students a chance to double
check their projects. Ensure students have the share code to their project.
• Deliverable: Students will not turn in their prototype at this stage in the project. However,
teachers may choose to use this lesson as a “checkpoint” and must approve of students’
prototypes before they move on to the “feedback” portion of the project.
• Assessment: There is no assessment for this portion of the project. Rather, students should
have completed prototypes that are ready to be shown to their end user.
Differentiation
• Additional Support #1: Students can “remix” existing MakeCode projects if starting from
scratch is too difficult.
• Additional Support #2: If students are working in groups, assign different parts to different
students!
• Extension: Encourage students to hide “easter eggs” or hidden features in their prototypes!
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