SIW Level 7 - STEM Micro:Bit

STEM MICRO:BIT MICRO:BIT STEM

This book belongs to:

STEM Innovator’s Workbook - Level 7 Copyright © 2026 Author: Erin Goodwin Editors: Asma Mahamedi, Lindsey Own, Natasha Karampela, Hari Mukul Sagar, and Rebecca McDowell ISBN: 978-981-17494-3-8 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: SUNLIGHT FINDER

19

8

PROJECT 2: AI FITNESS TIMER

27

9

PROJECT 3: KEY CLASSIFICATION

36

10

PROJECT 4: DECOMPOSER POPULATION

45

11

PROJECT 5: METAL OR NONMETAL

54

12

PROJECT 6: THERMAL PARTICLE MODEL

63

13

PROJECT 7: ACIDS AND BASES

71

14

PROJECT 8: AI ANIMAL RECOGNITION SYSTEM

80

15

PROJECT 9: SMOKE ALARM

88

16

PROJECT 10: HUMIDITY MONITOR

95

17

PROJECT 11: TIDES

103

18

PROJECT 12: CIRCUIT CURRENT CONTROL

110

19

PROJECT 13: AI STORYTELLING DEVICE

117

20

PROJECT 14: EARTHQUAKE ALARM

125

21

PROJECT 15: SIMPLE MACHINES

132

22

CAPSTONE PROJECT: INNOVATOR’S CHALLENGE

140

23

GLOSSARY

146

24

INNOVATOR STICKER SHEET

149

25

STEM CERTIFICATE

159 04

Introduction to the Kit Meet Your SKOOL21 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:

SUNLIGHT FINDER Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.

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

Next Generation Science Standards From Molecules to Organisms MS-LS1-2 Develop and use a model to describe the function of a cell as a whole and ways parts of cells contribute to the function.

Cambridge Science Structure and Function 7Bs.02 Identify and describe the functions of cell structures (limited to cell membrane, cytoplasm, nucleus, cell wall, chloroplast, mitochondria and sap vacuole).

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

Common Core Mathematics Ratios & Proportional Relationships 7.RP.A.1 Compute unit rates associated with ratios of fractions, including ratios of lengths, areas and other quantities measured in like or different units.

Cambridge Math Number 7Nf.11 Understand how ratios are used to compare quantities to divide an amount into a given ratio with two parts.

STEM Careers Connection

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

Farmer

19

Project 1:

Sunlight Finder INTRODUCTION Plant and animal cells use different cell parts to create energy. While animal cells use mitochondria to break down amino acids into energy, plant cells use chloroplasts, which use sunlight, to generate energy for the cell through the process of photosynthesis. But just how much energy will a plant generate? This depends on the amount of light shines on the plant cell. For gardeners with 'full sun' plants—those that require at least 8 hours of sunlight a day—maximizing incident light is essential. Then they need at least eight hours of direct direct, intense light a day. The built-in light sensor on the micro:bit can help users find the best placement for plants to maximize the energy produced through photosynthesis.

Light for Photosynthesis and Energy

Cells, Photosynthesis, and Ratios

Supporting Affordable and Clean Energy Weak Sunlight

Optimized Sunlight

→

More sunlight captured More energy produced

Plants typically need 6–8 hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal photosynthesis.

(Source: Royal Horticultural Society, 2022)

Chloroplasts inside plant cells capture sunlight to produce the energy plants need to live. By measuring light intensity and understanding unit rates, you can help plants grow better!

DEFINE THE PROBLEM A gardener needs a device to identify the optimal location for their full-sun plants. Can your team help?

20

Using sunlight wisely helps plants grow healthier and saves energy. You can support a more sustainable world by maximizing natural resources like sunlight!

MEASURE YOUR SUCCESS Criteria

Constraints

Your project should: Measure the light intensity Alert the user with pitch, volume, and frequency when the light intensity is high

Your project 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 for this project.

Project Manager Resource Manager Project Communicator Project Tester

MATERIALS

Micro:bit

USB cable

VOCABULARY Review the following vocabulary terms and their corresponding definitions, which you will encounter throughout this challenge.

Term

Meaning

Chloroplast

A part of a plant cell that captures sunlight to make food through photosynthesis.

Photosynthesis

The process where plants use sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to make food and oxygen.

21

REQUIREMENTS 1. Have you made a micro:bit account if you wish to save your code?

2. Have you ensured that your device has a USB port, or that you have the necessary adapter?

If you answered “yes” to all of the

If you answered “no” to any of the questions, you

questions, then you are ready to

might want to review that section before beginning

begin this project!

this project!

GETTING STARTED

TECHNOLOGY IN FOCUS A 4×4 membrane keypad is a small input device that lets us press buttons to send commands to the Raspberry Pi. We can use it to:

Unlock doors using a passcode

Control a menu on an LCD

Start/stop devices with a button press

WIRE Step 1: Take the micro:bit out of the package and connect it to your device with the USB cord.

CODE Step 1: Open makecode.microbit.org. First, we will learn how the built-in light sensor works.

Step 2: When the micro:bit is plugged in, create the following code.

Hint: the colors of the commands can be matched to the corresponding color tabs on the left-hand side. Additionally, commands can be searched in the “Search” bar at the top of the tabs for quicker access.

22

Step 3: Pair your micro:bit with your computer by clicking the “...” to the right of “Download” and selecting “Connect Device”.

Step 4: After downloading the code, click “Show Data - Device” to print & graph the light sensor readings.

BUILD Step 1: Create a program to alert the user when the light level exceeds a certain threshold using the built-in buzzer. Note that the code needs to be downloaded to display on the device.

You can start with the following code, but update the threshold to find the maximum amount of light for your environment.

Note: The simulator shows an incident light level of 128, so a chosen threshold of 130 allows the user to keep moving the sensor to try to find a brighter location.

YOUR

THIS IS WHERE YOU USE YOUR OWN THINKING!

CHALLENGE

Create a code that will help the user find the best location for their plants to‌ optimize the light reaching their chloroplasts. Consider pitch, volume, and‌ frequency in your solution.

After downloading the code, power your micro:bit with the battery pack so‌ you can unplug the USB cable and carry it around the room with you. Where‌ is the best place for the chloroplasts to receive the most light?‌

23

DESIGN AND PLAN Create a sketch for your solution to the challenge below.

Design Prompts

USB cable

Micro:bit

TEST Go back to the 'Measure Your Success' section and check the boxes. Does your project meet all the criteria and constraints?

Yes No

MATH AND SCIENCE CONNECTION 1. If the light sensor recorded that light was increasing at a constant rate of 3/4 lumens per hour and is currently sensing 2 lumens of brightness, how bright will it sense in 4 hours?

2. If there are 15 plants in a garden and ½ cup of water a day, how much water will be needed to water the plants for two weeks?

24

REFLECT SUSTAINABILITY IN FOCUS Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure (SDG 9) aims to support technological progress in industries, and build a skilled workforce for the future. This includes:

Research & Development

Skills for emerging technologies

Sustainable industrial growth

1. How does testing friction help the Earth? Circle the correct answer.

Saves clean energy

Cooks yummy soup

It builds roads.

2. Which job designs safe and fast cars? Circle the correct answer.

Data Scientist

Studies numbers

Acoustic Engineer Controls sound levels

FEEDBACK

Show your project to 3 friends and collect stickers!

25

Automotive Engineer Designs better cars

Try to wire and program the solution yourself. If you are having trouble, look at the images below for guidance.

SAMPLE SOLUTION Note how mathematical equations, the purple bubbles that show multiplication, division, and addition, using the light level sensor reading were used to scale the desired output accordingly.

26

Project 2:

AI FITNESS TIMER Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.

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

Next Generation Science Standards Engineering Design MS-ETS1-4. Develop a model to generate data for iterative testing and modification of a proposed object, tool, or process such that an optimal design can be achieved.

Cambridge Science Thinking and Working Scientifically 7TWSc.03 Evaluate whether measurements and observations have been repeated sufficiently 7TWSa.01 Describe the accuracy of predictions, based on results, and suggest why they were or were not accurate.

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

Common Core Mathematics Expressions & Equations 7.EE.A.1 Apply properties of operations as strategies to add, subtract, factor, and expand linear expressions with rational coefficients.

Cambridge Math Algebra 7.Ae.03 Understand how to manipulate algebraic expressions including: collecting like terms, applying the distributive law with a constant.

STEM Careers Connection

This project includes tasks that reflect the work of professionals in the following careers: Medical professional

Fitness instructor

27

Project 2:

AI Fitness Timer INTRODUCTION Our bodies convert chemical energy from food into mechanical energy for movement, and regular exercise is an important part of a healthy lifestyle. But how can technology tell when someone is active? Fitness devices use sensors, like an accelerometer, to track movement and detect patterns. With the help of AI and machine learning, they can recognize when movement increases and track the amount of time spent exercising. This allows the technology to analyze activity levels and provide useful feedback on physical activity.

Light for Photosynthesis and Energy

Movement, Data Analysis, and Algebra

Promoting Health and Wellbeing Low Physical Activity

Regular physical activity reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, depression, and improves overall quality of life. Yet, globally, 1 in 4 adults do not meet recommended activity levels.

(Source: WHO, 2021)

Healthy Lifestyle

From collecting real-world data to analyzing it mathematically!

You can use real movement data to recognize patterns, like when exercise happens.

Algebra helps you combine information to better understand fitness and health!

DEFINE THE PROBLEM An elderly care facility wants you to help them create a fitness timer to track how long someone is exercising.

28

Tracking movement and exercise helps people live healthier, more active lives. By supporting fitness with technology, you contribute to a healthier, stronger world!

MEASURE YOUR SUCCESS Criteria

Constraints

Your project should: Your project must: 1. Automatically and accurately measure 1. Use only the materials provided the length of exercise 2. Include design ideas from every 2. Be wearable and stay on during exercise team member 3. Meet the criteria for one additional 3. Be safe and comfortable to use challenge

TEAM ROLES Work with your team to determine who will complete each role for this project.

Project Manager Resource Manager Project Communicator Project Tester

VOCABULARY Review the following vocabulary terms and their corresponding definitions, which you will encounter throughout this challenge.

Term

Meaning

Data outlier

A piece of data which differs significantly from other data in a set

MATERIALS

Micro:bit

USB cable

Battery pack

29

Chenille stems and elafor wrist strap

GETTING STARTED WIRE Step 1. Plug the micro:bit into your device using the USB cable.

COLLECT DATA Step 1. Open createai.microbit.org/ and select “Get Started.”

Step 2. Select “New session” and name it “AI Fitness Timer.”

Step 3. Select “Add action” and choose an image that looks like exercising. Name the action “Exercising.”

Step 4. Select “Connect” and follow the prompts to download the data collection software to the micro:bit.

Step 5. After downloading, it will prompt you to disconnect the USB and connect the battery. Do so, then follow the prompts to bluetooth pair the micro:bit with your device.

Step 6. Now, each team member will take turns providing data to train the AI model. For this part of the activity, you will just hold the micro:bit and battery pack in your hand. Then, you will perform different types of exercises after each countdown. After completing 10, hand over the micro:bit for the next teammate to provide data.

Step 7. From the “Record” menu select “Record 10 samples.” Do this for each team member.

Step 8. Select “Add action” and choose an image that looks like resting or normal activity. Name the action “Normal activity.”

Step 9. Take turns collecting resting and normal activity data. Make sure to collect data with the micro:bit in different orientations.

Step 10. Review your samples and remove any that appear to be data outliers.

30

TRAIN THE AI MODEL Step 1. Select “Train model” then “Start training.”

Step 2. Take the Tour to test your model then test its accuracy. Identify types of exercises that are not recognized. Then, select “Edit data samples” and provide more data to improve the accuracy of your model.

Step 3. Once you are satisfied with the accuracy of your model, select “Edit in MakeCode.”

CODE Step 1. In MakeCode you should now have the two blocks of code provided as shown here.

Step 2. Add “on start” then make two new variables called “Exercising time” and “Normal activity time.” Use these variables to build the code shown.

Step 3. From the Machine Learning menu add an on ML duration stop block. Set the variable to “Exercise.” Stack a “clear screen” and a “change exercising duration” block inside the ML block.

Duplicate the code and change the variables as shown.

Step 4. Build the code so that pressing the buttons will display the amount of time for each type of activity.

31

CHALLENGE Use the materials to design a way to wear the micro:bit during exercise. Then, choose one or more of the following challenges to complete.

Add sound, lights, and/or text to provide feedback and motivation to the user Add code blocks that show a '?' when the model cannot identify your action.

Retrain your AI model to detect and time specific types of exercises or activities.

DESIGN AND PLAN Create a sketch for your solution for the wearable design and your chosen challenge below.

BUILD AND CODE Remember to use ideas from everyone in your solution and work together to build and code your solution.

TEST AND EVALUATE To test your solution press the reset button, exercise for 30 seconds, then press button A. You should see a number close to 30 scroll across. Now, go back to Measure Your Success and check the boxes. Does your project meet all the criteria and constraints?

32

Yes No

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. Why is it important to look for trends in the data and identify and remove data outliers when training an AI model?

2. A fitness tracker records a runner’s pace over three segments of a workout.

The times for each segment are given in minutes: Segment 1: 2𝑥 + 1.5 Segment 2: 3𝑥 − 0.5 Segment 3: 𝑥 + 2.25 Write and simplify an expression for the total workout time.

REFLECT

SUSTAINABILITY IN FOCUS Good Health means making sure everyone’s heart and blood stay strong. Your circulatory system model helps scientists test new medicines and vaccines for everyone. This includes:

Testing new medicine

Studying blood flow

33

Helping hearts pump

1. How does your scanner help people stay healthy? Circle the correct answer.

Checks inside bodies

Grows plants faster

Makes food tastier

2. Which job helps mothers and babies? Circle the correct answer.

Obstetrician

Air Quality Monitor

Firefighter

Checks baby health

Tests air safety

Puts out fires.

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!

34

Try to wire and program the solution yourself. If you are having trouble, look at the images below for guidance.

SAMPLE SOLUTION One way to build the wrist strap uses elastic bands to hold the battery and micro:bit together. Then, loop the chenille stems through the bands to form an adjustable wrist band.

If you add a third activity, you can use the “on button A+B pressed” block to show the time.

35

an Share!

Ic

an Build!

Ic

Sign

Date

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

Who successfully completed the STEM Innovator's Challenge Level 7 - STEM Micro:bit.

This award is proudly presented to:

NOITAVONNI FO ETACIFITREC

CERTIFICATE OF INNOVATION

m

nn an I ovat

an Code!

Ic

! or

Ia