Electronics with Python & micro:bit Three-session Educator’s Workshop October 24, 26, & 28, 2022

Get a jump-start on teaching this series of lessons designed to add a pre-engineering focus to maker programs. Combining circuit-building, Python scripting, and signal measurement, these lessons support career technology education (CTE) programs in coding, product design, and manufacturing. The barriers to use are low: a micro:bit module and some breadboard-friendly components from Parallax in one convenient kit! Designed with high school in mind, this program adapts well to middle school and college too.

Workshop activities:

• Set up connections for programming and measurements with the micro:bit Python editor and Parallax cyberscope.
• Identify how circuits and scripts are used in common product designs, and how they can be applied to inventions.
• Demonstrate electricity basics and science and engineering principles as they are applied in new and fun circuit applications.
• Construct and test circuits with scripts, and measure them with the cyberscope virtual multimeter/oscilloscope.
• Experiment with the micro:bit module’s on-board capabilities—display, buttons, radio, temperature, tilt, compass—with circuits the students can build on a breadboard.
• Apply the concepts with projects for infrared, accelerometer, and a servo motor in the kit.
• Access and review the student and educator resources for the program.

Applications are closed for this course.

To those accepted, we will email approvals with a link to register for the Zoom sessions, and send out a free What’s a Microcontroller with Python kit (if you don’t already have one). Notifications go out several weeks before the course if not earlier. Hands-on activities will be done during the three 2-hour Zoom sessions, with brief homework assigned before each session. The Zoom sessions will be recorded and posted publicly to YouTube, in case you miss a session. Afterwards, an 8-hour certification of completion will be available upon request (attendance will be taken!)