Program EDU:BIT with block based python editor | EduBlocks

OVERVIEW

EDU:BIT is a beginner-friendly micro:bit kit specially designed to encourage kids to explore STEAM and learn coding.

EduBlocks is a visual block based programming tool that helps teachers to introduce text based programming languages, like Python, to children at an earlier age via a drag and drop programming experience.

SOFTWARE SETUP

Step 1: Open the EduBlocks editor using this link: https://app.edublocks.org/

Step 2: Select micro:bit mode

Step 3: Click Extras from the top menu

Step 4: Select Go for the Extension

Step 5: Choose EDUBIT

The EDU:BIT extension can be used in EduBlocks

BLOCKS DESCRIPTIONS

This block imports the EDU:BIT library to EduBlocks. This block must be used at the top of the program

This block monitors the power switch and reset the EDU:BIT when power cycled. This block is used inside a while true loop. No error will be raised if this block is not used

This block brakes the motor connected to EDU:BIT. User can choose:

1. M1 (MOTOR 1), M2 (MOTOR 2) or All (MOTOR 1 & MOTOR 2)

This block runs the motor connected to EDU:BIT. User can choose:

1. M1 (MOTOR 1), M2 (MOTOR 2) or All (MOTOR 1 & MOTOR 2)

2. Forward to move in clockwise direction or Backward to move in anti-clockwise direction

3. speed - from 0 to 255. Any value less than 0 will be counted as 0, and any value more than 255 will be counted as 255

This block disables the servo connected to EDU:BIT. User can choose:

1. S1 (SERVO 1), S2 (SERVO 2), S3 (SERVO 3) or All (SERVO 1 & SERVO 2 & SERVO 3)

This block sets the servo position connected to EDU:BIT. User can choose:

1. S1 (SERVO 1), S2 (SERVO 2), S3 (SERVO 3) or All (SERVO 1 & SERVO 2 & SERVO 3)

2. position - from 0 to 180 degrees. Any value less than 0 will be counted as 0, any value more than 180 will be counted as 180

This block turn on/off the Traffic Light Bit's LED. User can choose:

1. Red for red LED, Yellow for yellow LED, Green for green LED or All for (red, yellow and green LED)

2. 0 for OFF or 1 for ON

This block returns Sound Bit's analog value ranging from 0 to 1023

This block returns Potientio Bit's analog value ranging from 0 to 1023

This block returns IR Bit's digital value either 0 or 1

This block returns IR Bit's boolean value either False or True

This block returns True if the source voltage is low

This block returns True if the source is overvoltage

This block returns source input voltage value

EXAMPLES

MUSIC BIT

In this example, if button A is pressed, music NYAN will be played once but can be interrupted by turning OFF and ON the power switch (with the help of power_state_monitor() block) or by pressing button B for BIRTHDAY music to be played because the wait paramenter is set to False.
If button B is pressed, music BIRTHDAY will also be played once but it can't be interrupted (unless the supplying power is cut) because the wait parameter is set to True by default.
User can set the loop parameter to True for the music to be played forever. loop parameter is set to False by default.

For more information about the Music, refer to this link: https://microbit-micropython.readthedocs.io/en/v1.0.1/music.html

SOUND BIT

In this example, micro:bit's LED screen will scroll value ranging from 0 to 1023 depending on sound value detected from Sound Bit.

POTENTIO BIT

In this example, micro:bit's LED screen will scroll value ranging from 0 to 1023 depending on the potentiometer value from Potentio Bit.

IR BIT

In this example, if button A is pressed, micro:bit's LED screen will scroll value either 0 or 1 depending on the IR value from IR Bit.
If button B is pressed, micro:bit's LED screen will scroll value either True or False depending on the IR value from IR Bit.

RGB BIT

In this example, neopixel is set to pin 13 (NeoPixel by default connected to pin 13 in EDU:BIT) and 4 represents the 4 NeoPixels in RGB Bit. NeoPixel's colour can be changed by calling the NeoPixel's number and assign the RGB value for it.
RGB values for commonly used colors

• red = 255,0,0
• orange = 255,164,0
• yellow = 255,255,0
• green = 0,255,0
• blue = 0,0,255
• indigo = 75,0,130
• violet = 138,43,226
• purple = 255,0,255
• white = 255,255,255
• black = 0,0,0

Lastly put on the show block to show the colour in RGB Bit.

For more information about NeoPixel, refer to this link: https://microbit-micropython.readthedocs.io/en/v1.0.1/neopixel.html

TRAFFIC LIGHT BIT

In this example, All the LED in Traffic Light Bit will be turn OFF for 1 second (1000ms) and turns ON the Red LED for 1 second, then turns ON the Yellow LED for 1 second, then turns ON the Green LED for 1 second and loops the program.

BUTTON BIT

In this example, if button A is pressed, micro:bit's LED screen will scroll string "A".
If button B is pressed, micro:bit's LED screen will scroll string "B".

UPLOAD

Step 1: Rename the project and click Download Hex from the top menu

Step 2: Click save from the pop-up in microbit file and wait for the program to upload in EDU:BIT

User can now play with the beginner-friendly EDU:BIT !