What a micro:bit Is and Its Parts

Hello, future inventor! In this course you will learn to program the micro:bit. The micro:bit is a small computer, about 4 x 5 cm, smaller than your student card. Even though it is small, the micro:bit can sense movement, measure temperature, light up lights, and talk to other micro:bits.

Input, process, output

Every computer works in three steps. Think of the automatic door at the minimarket near your school:

1. Input: the sensor above the door sees someone coming.
2. Process: the door's brain decides, "Someone is here, open the door!"
3. Output: a motor slides the door open.

The micro:bit works the same way. It receives input from buttons or sensors, processes it with the program you write, and then gives output as light or sound.

The front

• 25 LED lights arranged in 5 rows x 5 columns. This is the micro:bit's screen for showing pictures, numbers, and letters.
• Button A on the left and button B on the right, for giving commands.
• A gold touch logo (only on the micro:bit V2). You can touch this logo like a button.

The back

• The processor, the micro:bit's brain. Inside it is a temperature sensor.
• An accelerometer to sense movement and a compass to find direction.
• A USB port for the cable to the computer and a battery connector.
• A reset button to restart the program from the beginning.
• A speaker and a microphone (V2 only).
• A radio and Bluetooth antenna to send messages without wires.

The LED lights on the front can also be used as a light sensor. Amazing, one part has two jobs!

The pins on the bottom edge

The gold strip on the bottom edge is called the pins. There are big holes labelled 0, 1, 2, 3V, and GND. Later these pins are used to connect lights, motors, or extra sensors.

For parents and teachers: there are two versions, V1 and V2. Every activity in this course works on V1 or V2, except the parts about the touch logo, speaker, and microphone, which only exist on V2. No board? Every activity can also be tried in the MakeCode simulator.