Microbit Subject-Based Challenge

Countries of the World

Purpose

Emphasis should be placed on

• Introduction to the use of the Microbit in relation to a Robot
• Coding the Microbit Robot
• Controlling variables of
  • Speed and Time to determine Distance and Direction
• Reusing code
• Defining functions
• Learning the
  • Names of the different countries
  • Where they are located
  • The continent that they are on
• Learning by doing
• Teamwork
• 21^st century skills

Equipment

1. Countries of the World Mat
2. Microbit Robot – per group
3. Computer / Laptop / Cell Phone
   1. Installed / access to Makecode for Microbit

General Instructions

1. At the start of the activity the list of the countries to locate is agreed upon
   1. Single country
   2. List of countries starting with a particular letter of the alphabet from the list of 195 countries
2. This activity can be conducted in groups depending on the number of Microbit Robots
3. Groups are assigned to the four corners of the mat as starting points
4. Each Robot is required to enter the area by passing over the UP/DOWN arrows with a dark blue background before heading for the designated country
5. To be awarded a point for a particular country the nose of the Robot must be positioned directly over the area
6. Bonus points are awarded for Robots that successfully reverse back off the map to their starting points.

Additional Challenge

1. Groups are assigned a different corner halfway through the challenge to test their transferability of the skills acquired

Calibration

A ruler and a protractor have been printed onto the maps. This may assist the teams in calibrating their Robots, as each team may use different variables of Speed and Time which will affect distance and angles.

Adding fun coding elements

1. The Microbit should Display the team number as T1, T2, T3, etc. as the first command.
2. Arrows for movement on the LED Display
   1. ↑ Forward
   2. ↓ Reverse
   3. ← Left turn
      1. Left LED Flashes 4 times
   4. → Right Turn
      1. Right LED Flashes 4 times
   5. When over the country
      1. Victory sound
      2. Both LEDs flash 3-5 times
   6. Pausing for 3-5 seconds over the country to verify the position of the Robot
   7. Reverse beep as a warning when reversing
   8. Completion sound once returning to base.

Scoresheet

 

 

 

TEAM NUMBER	Attempt Number	Team Number	Forward Arrow	Turn Arrow	Turn LED	Victory Sound	Country Correct	Victory LEDs	Pause	Reverse Beep	Return	TOTAL MARKS
		5	5	5	5	10	50	10	5	5	20	/120