Guest Joseph Lemke shares with us how he is learning with Micro:bit and why this is a great way for students to explore coding.

What is a Micro:bit?

• 
  
• programmable microcontroller, like a tiny computer
  
• has built in sensors like temperature, gyroscope, compass, microphone, speaker, touch button, blue tooth antennae to talk to other microbits and your phone
  
• has enough computing power to do a lot of things
  

What are the strengths of Micro:bit?

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• it’s a good starting microcontroller because has a good programming platform
  
• microsoft makecode – graphical platform or text code
  
• micropython is another option
  

How do I get started?

1. 
   
2. Purchase a starter kit for about  $25 on Amazon.
   
3. Go to Makecode.microbit.org, and work through the Tutorials
   

What are some of the favorite projects you’ve made with micro:bit?

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• drink dispenser
  
• controlled dot matrix printer from the 80’s
  
• Borg costume
  
• fingerprint reader for light switch
  

Take a look at show sponsor, FundaFunda Academy to see what they offer for online classes and web-based unit studies.

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