Read and Watch

Watch the video provided here to learn a bit more about WHY coding and using environmental sensors supports students' exploration and curiosity in garden spaces and HOW to program the BBC micro:bit to measure light level, temperature, and soil moisture.  We have provided the module presentation slides as a PDF if you would like to follow along.

Check out the How-To Coding Guides to learn a bit more about the resources we have developed to support you as you code and use environmental sensors with students.

Make and Do

Before you lead students, it's important to practice programming the various sensors yourself. Using any of the resources described in the video (interactive MakeCode tutorials, written instructions, video tutorials, etc.), I want you to try coding each of the environmental sensors:

  • Light level
  • Temperature
  • Soil moisture

Share and Reflect

Record a quick video describing what this process of programming the BBC micro:bit to sense light, temperature, and soil moisture was like for you and share it out with the group on Flipgrid. Feel free to show off your working sensor(s)! You might consider sharing your thoughts on one or more of the following questions:

  • What questions did you have?
  • Did you run into any issues?
  • If you had issues, what did you do? How did you solve them?
  • Which resources did you find most useful?
  • Are there any resources you might prefer to use with youth? Why?

Go to Module 6