Tech-Up Kits - Science World

Getting started with the microbit: https://Microbit.org/start

Apps: https://support.microbit.org/support/solutions/articles/19000023511-where-can-i-find-the-micro-bit-apps-

Troubleshooting: https://support.microbit.org/support/solutions/articles/19000024000-troubleshooting-the-bbc-micro-bit

WebUSB troubleshooting: https://support.microbit.org/support/solutions/articles/19000105428-webusb-troubleshooting

General support page: https://support.microbit.org/support/home

Troubleshooting

Accuracy: the accuracy of the Finch movement decreases with speed and friction. BirdBrain recommends setting a low speed and adding pauses between movements if accurate movements are necessary. Friction is increased when drawing (highest with pencils, low with the recommended brush markers)
Always turn off the Finch or remove the microbit from the Finch before connecting it to a computer. (Having multiple power sources to the microbit can interfere with the download and prevent proper loading of code onto the microbit).

Science World Resources:

Computers highly recommended over tablets.

Although this kit can be used on iPad with the micro:bit app, it’s not recommended because you can’t access the reset button while the microbit is plugged in to the robotics board. You’d have to constantly remove the microbit, plug in the battery pack, load the code, then unplug the batteries and put the microbit back in the robotics board. Younger students in particular will find this challenging.

Getting started:

Make a free account on strawbees classroom: https://classroom.strawbees.com

Using straws and connectors:

Some joint examples
Intro to using strawbees: https://classroom.strawbees.com/page/what-are-strawbees
Some lesson plans, activities, and posters:

Using the robotics board:

Intro to the strawbees robotics board: https://classroom.strawbees.com/media/asset_onboarding-guide_robotic-inventions-microbit.pdf
Lesson plans & activity ideas with the strawbees robotics: https://classroom.strawbees.com/page/steam-classroom-robotics-microbit and https://makecode.microbit.org/pkg/strawbees/pxt-robotic-inventions
Understanding servo motors: https://resources.kitronik.co.uk/pdf/a-brief-guide-to-servos.pdf

Servo troubleshooting:

Check that the robotics board is turned on (green light)
Check that the servo is plugged in properly (darkest wire on the arrow) and that the code is talking to the right servo (eg if the servo is plugged into spot “B”, code needs to say “servo B”

Science World Resources:

https://www.scienceworld.ca/resource/blooming-flowers/

Getting started:

Go to https://inksmith.teachable.com/p/land
Click on “Enroll in Course for $100”
Under “Order summary”, click on “Add coupon code”
Use the code on the card included in the kit
Complete the process to make your login

Devices:

Because the breakout board needs to be plugged in to a power source through the microUSB cord, this kit only works if students have computers (not tablets).
- If you have sufficient outlets/extension cords & USB charging bricks for each student group to be able to plug in to a nearby outlet, then you can use tablets.

Getting started: https://www.monkmakes.com/downloads/instructions_rgb_for_mb.pdf

Coming soon!

Note: There are two types of Ozobots: Bits and Evos. As noted on the Ozobot FAQ page:

Bit, the original Ozobot, was released in 2014 and is not Bluetooth-enabled.

Both Ozobots come with 2 Ways to Code–screen-free with Color Codes and on-screen with Ozobot Blockly. Ozobot Blockly code can be loaded instantly to Evo via Bluetooth, while Bit must be held up to the screen for flash loading.

If you’re not sure which Ozobot you have, look at the bottom of the bot. You’ll see either “Bit” or “Evo” directly below where it says “Ozobot”.

Getting started with Ozobots: https://ozobot.com/welcome/

Two ways of coding: https://ozobot.com/create/

Ozobot FAQ - https://ozobot.com/support/faq

Colour Codes - https://ozobot.com/create/color-codes

Intro to Ozoblockly Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4GQxrCYgxs&ab_channel=Ozobot

Official YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/c/OzobotChannel

Ozobot Classroom (Lesson Library found here) – requires free account
https://classroom.ozobot.com/dashboard

Virtual Ozobot Simulator Challenges - https://ozobot.com/create/challenges

Additional Ozobot Kit Resources and Activities (curated and created by Tech-Up staff): https://tinyurl.com/ozobot-tech-up