SIW Level 6 - STEM Micro:Bit

STEM MICRO:BIT MICRO:BIT STEM

This book belongs to:

STEM Innovator’s Workbook - Level 6 Copyright © 2026 Author: Erin Goodwin Editors: Asma Mahamedi, Lindsey Own, Natasha Karampela, Hari Mukul Sagar, and Rebecca McDowell ISBN: 978-981-17494-4-5 Published by: SKOOL21 PTE. LTD. 71 Robinson Road, #14-01, 068895, Singapore First Edition published by SKOOL21 PTE LTD - Singapore, 2024 Second Edition published by SKOOL21 LLC - United States, 2026 No part of this book may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copyright law.

For permissions or inquiries, please contact: Email: info@skool21.org Website: https://skool21.org Address: 600 California St, #13-021, San Francisco, CA 94108, United States

02

Hello, STEM Innovator!

Welcome to your book!

You are a STEM Innovator.

Innovator. An Innovator is a hero who uses data and smart robots to solve big challenges!

Open your STEM Micro:Bit Kit. Kit. Inside you have: The Brain: A micro:bit to think and run your robots.

The Senses: Senses: Sensors that measure moisture and light The Action: Expansion board that make your machines work.

In this book, you will: Build a Seismograph to measure how the ground shakes during during an earthquake.

Explore with a Mars Rover to learn how robots help us see other worlds.

Protect Nature by making a smart sensor to help plants get the right amount of water.

Earn Your Rewards!

Rewards!

As you complete each project, you will earn Innovator Stickers.

Stickers.

At the end of this book, you will receive your Certificate of Innovation to show the world that you are a Master of Artificial intelligence!

Let’s build together!

03

Table of Contents S. NO

CONTENTS

PAGE NO.

1

INTRODUCTION TO THE KIT

05

2

LESSON I: THE LED PAD

06

3

LESSON II: SENSORS

09

4

LESSON III: BLINKING LED

12

5

LESSON IV: JOYSTICK

15

7

PROJECT 1: FREEFALL SIMULATOR

19

8

PROJECT 2: WATER LEVEL DETECTOR

27

9

PROJECT 3: ULTRASONIC SCANNER

35

10

PROJECT 4: CIRCULATORY SYSTEM MODEL

43

11

PROJECT 5: PREDATOR-PREY

51

12

PROJECT 6: BEE BLOWER

59

13

PROJECT 7: POSTURE ALARM

67

14

PROJECT 8: FRICTION CAR

75

15

PROJECT 9: TOXIC CHECKER

83

16

PROJECT 10: POLLUTION MONITOR

91

17

PROJECT 11: WEIGHT PREDICTOR

99

18

PROJECT 12: MICROORGANISM MONITOR

107

19

PROJECT 13: THERMAL SERVO

115

20

PROJECT 14: GLOBAL IMPACT

123

21

PROJECT 15: ECLIPSE LIGHT TRACKER

131

22

CAPSTONE PROJECT: INNOVATOR’S CHALLENGE

139

23

GLOSSARY

147

24

INNOVATOR STICKER SHEET

149

25

STEM CERTIFICATE

151 04

Introduction to the Kit Meet Your STEM Micro:bit Kit! Open your box and see what is inside! This kit has everything you need to build and play. Use your micro:bit with programming and sensors. You can turn your big ideas into real working simulations.

Let’s build together!

KIT COMPONENTS 1. The Smart Brains Micro:bit Board

T-Type Shield

x1

x1

Small Battery Case x1

Ultrasonic Sensor

Water Sensor

x1

x1

Big Battery Case

Specialize Power

x1

x1

Color Sensor

Humidity Sensor

Gas Sensor

x1

x1

x1

2. Sensors

3. Moving Parts and Breadboard Servo Motor

DC Motor

Small Fan

Joystick

Breadboard

x2

x1

x1

x1

x1

Big Buttons

Potentiometer

Resister Pack

Active Buzzer

Passive Buzzer

x2

x1

x5

x1

x1

Big RGB Light

Red LEDs

Yellow LEDs

Green LEDs

x1

x5

x5

x5

Resistor Color Card x1

M-M Dupont Wires

Alligator to Jumper Wires

M-F Jumper Wires

Alligator Clips

USB Cable

x10

x10

x20

x5

x1

4. Controllers and Sound

5. Lights

6. Connectors

05

Lesson I:

THE LED PAD LEARNING OBJECTIVES

At the end of this lesson, learners will be able to: Open the MakeCode website Create a new project Use blocks to control the LED pad Download your program to the micro:bit Explain what the forever block does

VOCABULARY Word MakeCode LED Pad

Meaning

The website where you program the micro:bit The 25 small lights on the micro:bit

MATERIALS Micro-bit

USB Cable

Computer

WHAT IS MAKECODE? MakeCode is a website. You use blocks to make a program. The blocks tell the micro:bit what to do. The LED pad shows the result. With MakeCode, you can:

Show pictures and words

Make lights blink

Make sounds and music

Use buttons and movement

IMPORTANT IDEA In MakeCode:

Program

A program is made with blocks

Blocks

Blocks are used to build instructions

06

LED Pad

The LED pad shows what the program does

LOOK AT YOUR MICRO:BIT

Find these parts on your micro:bit: LED pad Button A Button B The small light sensor

GETTING STARTED Open MakeCode

1. Open Google Chrome.

2. Go to: makecode.microbit.org 3. Click New Project.

4. Name your project: LED Test.

Build your program 5. Drag a

block.

6. From Basic, drag

into forever.

7. From Basic, drag

into forever.

8. From Basic, drag

into forever.

9. From Basic, drag

into forever.

IMPORTANT IDEA The forever block repeats the code again and again.

07

CONNECT YOUR MICRO:BIT 1. Connect the micro:bit to the computer.

2. Click Download (bottom left). Click Connect Device.

3. Select your BBC micro:bit from the list.

Watch the screen Wait a few seconds.

You will see H I H I on the LED pad.

IMPORTANT IDEA If Your Device Does Not Connect Unplug and plug the USB again Look for the MICROBIT drive on your computer Click Download as File Drag the file into the MICROBIT drive

TRY IT YOURSELF Change one thing in your program: Change H I to your name Make the pause longer Add a number after the letters Download again and test.

STOP AND THINK

1. What does the forever block do?

Repeats again and again

Runs once

08

Project 1:

FREEFALL SIMULATOR Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns.

OBJECTIVES At the end of this activity, the learner will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the following:

Next Generation Science Standards Motion and Stability: Forces and Interactions MS-PS2-2 Plan an investigation to provide evidence that the change in an object’s motion depends on the sum of the forces on the object and the mass of the object.

Cambridge Science Forces and Energy 6Pf.03 Use force diagrams to show the name, size and direction of forces acting on an object.

6Pf.04 Describe the effect of different forces on an object at rest and in motion.

6Pf.05 Recognise that the mass and shape of an object can affect if it floats or sinks.

1Ps.02 Explore ISTE that Standard as sound travels from a source it becomes quieter

1.1.c Empowered Learner Students use technology to set goals, work toward achieving them, and demonstrate learning.

1.3.d Knowledge Constructor Students build knowledge by actively exploring real-world issues and problems, developing ideas and theories, and pursuing answers and solutions.

1.4.d Innovative Designer Students develop, test, and refine prototypes as part of a cyclical design process.

Common Core Mathematics Ratios and Proportional Relationships 6.RP.A.3.D Use ratio reasoning to convert measurement units; manipulate and transform units appropriately when multiplying or dividing quantities.

Cambridge Math Number 6Nf.13 Use knowledge of equivalence to understand and use equivalent ratios.

STEM Careers Connection

This project includes tasks that reflect the work of professionals in the following careers: Aerospace engineer

Air force member

19

Project 1:

FREEFALL SIMULATOR INTRODUCTION

Forces act on everything. Gravity is a force that pulls objects down toward Earth. Air also pushes up against falling objects. This upward push is called drag.

When the downward pull and upward push are equal, an object moves at a steady speed. We will use a fan to blow air upward. This creates a small wind tunnel for our experiments!

Earth-Friendly Design

Forces and Ratios

You are an Aerospace Engineer!

More surface area = more drag

Fan Force

Air Resistance (Drag)

Gravity 2 9.81 m/s Constant speed = Balanced forces

Over 300 million tons of plastic waste are produced globally each year, much of it from single-use items.

When the upward forces equal the force of gravity, the object floats at a steady speed.

DEFINE THE PROBLEM Engineers must study how objects fall through the air to keep people safe. They use wind tunnels to test their designs.

You will be engineers!

Your team will help by building a parachute that floats at a steady height above a fan.

20

These experts study how air moves to design safer planes, rockets, and parachutes.

MEASURE YOUR SUCCESS Goals

Rules

Your freefall simulator should: Your freefall simulator must: Use the fan and motor to blow air upward Use only the materials Build a parachute using classroom provided materials Include design ideas from Make the object fall at a steady speed every team member

TEAM ROLES

Work with your team to determine who will complete each role.

Leader Material Manager Reporter Testing Supervisor

MATERIALS

Which parts do you think will you need?

Brain

Sensors

Power

Motion

Light

Sound

Computer

Ultrasonic Sensor

Small Battery Pack

Micro:bit

Water Sensor

T-Shield

Specialized Power

Big Battery Pack

Servo Motor

LED

Active Buzzer

String

Metal

USB Cable

Breadboard

DC Motor

Color Sensor

Passive Buzzer

Plastic

Ruler

Humidity Sensor

Alligator Clips

Jumper Wires

Fan

RGB

Potentio -meter

Tape

Scissor

Gas Sensor

Dupont wires

Alligator to Jumper Wires

Joystick

Resister

Button

Cardboard

Paper

VOCABULARY Word Aerodynamic

Meaning A shape that moves well through air

Force

A push or a pull

Gravity

The force that pulls objects down 21

Materials

GETTING STARTED TECHNOLOGY IN FOCUS

A DC motor changes electricity into movement. When electricity enters the motor, the coil inside begins to turn. This motion can spin a fan.

A DC motor can:

Move a car

Spin fan blades

Pump water

BUILD See the steps below for inspiration on how to to build.

SAFETY GUIDELINES

Hold the motor in the air. Keep your fingers away from the fan. Make sure the metal parts of the wires do not touch.

FORCE DIAGRAM Draw:

A box with a parachute Arrow down Arrow up

→ Gravity

→ Air pushing up from the fan

When the arrows are the same size, the forces are balanced.

22

YOUR

THIS IS WHERE YOU USE YOUR OWN THINKING!

CHALLENGE

Use cardboard and classroom materials to build a small‌ stand. Make the fan point upward.‌ Make a parachute using‌a plastic bag and string. Attach‌ a small object. Turn on your micro:bit and make sure the‌ fan is spinning. Test different parachute designs.

DESIGN AND PLAN

Use the space below to draw and plan your solution. Use the Design Prompts on the right to help you.

Design Prompts

Fan

Micro:bit

String

Plastic bags

SHARE YOUR IDEAS

Write one great idea from each teammate: Team Member

23

Ideas

TEST Go back to the 'Measure Your Success' and check the boxes.

Does your project meet all the goals and rules?

Yes No

MATH AND SCIENCE CONNECTION 1. Write this as a ratio (feet : meters) 1 meter = 3.28 feet 2. Gravity on Earth is 9.81 m/s² . Use your ratio to convert this value to ft/s² . Show your working

3. You measured the mass of your object in grams. a. Your object had a mass of: b. Convert this to kilograms: 1000 grams = 1 kilogram

REFLECT SUSTAINABILITY IN FOCUS

Responsible Consumption and Production means using fewer materials and making less waste. In this project, you test parachutes before making a final design. This helps you use materials wisely. This includes:

Using small test pieces first

Reusing plastic and string when you can 24

Choosing one best design before building again

1. How does your parachute test help sustainability? Circle the correct answer.

Uses less waste

Makes wind stronger

Makes things heavier

2. Which STEM career uses parachute tests? Circle the correct answer.

Fitness Analyst

Aerospace engineer

Chef

Studies step data

Designs flying machines

Cooks food daily

FEEDBACK

Complete the following sentence and practice saying to your friends: 1. I built a

2. It helps 3. One way I made my model effective was Show your project to 3 friends and collect stickers!

25

Try to build and program the tool yourself. If you are having trouble, try the following directions.

SAMPLE SOLUTION Try creating your own design. If you need help, use this example for inspiration.

SAMPLE BUILD The images below show a stand for the freefall simulator and a plastic bag parachute.

26

Project 2:

WATER LEVEL DETECTOR Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable

OBJECTIVES At the end of this activity, the learner will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the following:

Next Generation Science Standards Ecosystems MS-LS2-5 Evaluate competing design solutions for maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem services.

Cambridge Science Thinking and Working Scientifically 6TWSa.05 Present and interpret results using tables, bar charts, dot plots, line graphs and scatter graphs.

ISTE Standard 1.1.c Empowered Learner Students use technology to set goals, work toward achieving them, and demonstrate learning.

1.3.d Knowledge Constructor Students build knowledge by actively exploring real-world issues and problems, developing ideas and theories, and pursuing answers and solutions.

1.4.d Innovative Designer Students develop, test, and refine prototypes as part of a cyclical design process.

Common Core Mathematics Expressions and Equations 6.EE.B.7 Solve real-world and mathematical problems by writing and solving equations of the form x + p = q and px = q for cases in which p, q and x are all nonnegative rational numbers.

Cambridge Math Algebra 6Nc.02 Recognise the use of letters to represent quantities that vary in addition and subtraction calculations.

STEM Careers Connection

This project includes tasks that reflect the work of professionals in the following careers: Marine biologist

Ecologist

27

Project 2:

WATER LEVEL DETECTOR INTRODUCTION

Nature must stay healthy to protect animals and plants.

This is called an ecosystem. When water levels in ponds or lakes get too low, animals lose their homes. We can use technology to help!

A water level detector monitors the water to keep ecosystems safe. This smart solution helps farmers and scientists protect our planet’s future.

Sustainable Cities

Using Variables

By 2050, 7 billion people will live in cities requiring sustainable water management systems.

In math, letters like x represent variables, such as the changing depth of a lake.

DEFINE THE PROBLEM Many cities and farms rely on healthy lakes to survive. If water levels drop too low, plants and animals are in danger.

You will be engineers!

Your team will help by building a digital sensor to monitor and protect local water levels.

28

You are an Marine Biologist!

These scientists study aquatic life and use sensors to track how water changes affect animals.

MEASURE YOUR SUCCESS Goals

Rules

Your water level detector should: Measure the water level with the water level sensor Indicate a high, medium, or low level with the LED screen

Your water level detector must: Use only the materials provided Include design ideas from every team member

TEAM ROLES

Work with your team to determine who will complete each role.

Leader Material Manager Reporter Testing Supervisor

MATERIALS

Which parts do you think will you need?

Brain

Sensors

Power

Motion

Light

Sound

Computer

Ultrasonic Sensor

Small Battery Pack

Micro:bit

Water Sensor

T-Shield

Specialized Power

Materials

Big Battery Pack

Servo Motor

LED

Active Buzzer

String

Metal

USB Cable

Breadboard

DC Motor

Color Sensor

Passive Buzzer

Plastic

Ruler

Humidity Sensor

Alligator Clips

Jumper Wires

Fan

RGB

Potentio -meter

Tape

Scissor

Gas Sensor

Dupont wires

Alligator to Jumper Wires

Joystick

Resister

Button

Cardboard

Paper

VOCABULARY Word

Meaning

Biodiversity

The variety of life in an ecosystem

Preservation

The process of keeping something valued alive

Conservation

Saving nature and animals by keeping their homes safe.

29

GETTING STARTED TECHNOLOGY IN FOCUS

A water level sensor is a tool that measures water. It tells you if a plant is thirsty or has enough water.

Smart Farm Pots

Garden Water Alarms

Automatic Plant Feeders

BUILD

Sensor S V G

T Shield 2

Specialty Power Source 5V GND

WARNING: Ensure the water does not touch any components other than the striped part of the water level detector.

CODE Start a new project 1. Open Google Chrome and go to: makecode.microbit.org 2. Create your project: Project 2 3. Write the given sample code.

4. Click “Show data Device” to view the graph of the values being displayed on the serial monitor.

30

YOUR

THIS IS WHERE YOU USE YOUR OWN THINKING!

CHALLENGE

Add code that will light up the micro:bit LEDs‌ with a "L", "M" or"H" depending on water level.‌ A sample code for “Low” is shown below. Can‌ you figure out the code for "Medium" and "High"?

Hint:‌ click the “+” sign under the “if” statement‌to add additional conditions.

DESIGN AND PLAN

Use the space below to draw and plan your solution. Use the Design Prompts on the right to help you.

Design Prompts

Fan

Micro:bit

String

Plastic bags

SHARE YOUR IDEAS

Write one great idea from each teammate: Team Member

31

Ideas

TEST Go back to the 'Measure Your Success' and check the boxes.

Does your project meet all the goals and rules?

Yes No

MATH AND SCIENCE CONNECTION 1. If the water level detector measures in mm: a. Which equation changes centimeters (cm) into millimeters (mm)? Circle the correct answer.

b. Which equation changes inches (i) into centimeters (cm)? Circle the correct answer.

2. If the radius of a circular lake is 100 m, what is the surface area of the lake?

REFLECT

SUSTAINABILITY IN FOCUS Sustainable Cities means making homes and neighborhoods safe from floods.

Your water level detector helps warn people when water rises too high. This includes:

Warning about floods

Keeping homes safe

32

Helping people learn

1. How does the water level detector help the Earth? Circle the correct answer.

Saves people from floods

Makes water blue

Helps birds fly faster

2. Which job studies animals and water? Circle the correct answer.

Fitness Analyst

Marine Biologist

Doctor

Studies step data

Studies ocean life

Helps health

FEEDBACK

Complete the following sentence and practice saying to your friends: 1. I built a

2. It helps 3. One way I made my model effective was Show your project to 3 friends and collect stickers!

33

Try to build and program the tool yourself. If you are having trouble, try the following directions.

SAMPLE SOLUTION Try creating your own design. If you need help, use this example for inspiration.

SAMPLE CODE The following code shows how to display a L for low tide. How could you add a H for high tide?

34

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I can Build. I can Code. I can Share. I am an Innovator!

Who successfully completed the STEM Innovator's Challenge Level 6 - STEM Micro:bit.

This award is proudly presented to:

NOITAVONNI FO ETACIFITREC

CERTIFICATE OF INNOVATION

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