Drip Irrigation Kit(micro:bit): Lesson0 - Preparation Guide

Overview

The course follows the logical thread of "Sensor Basics - Design and Creation".

The Sensor Basics section (Lessons 1-4) adopts a "thematic inquiry" model, allowing students to master skills such as sensor application and simple programming in the process of exploring various small themes.
The Design and Creation section(Lessons 5-6) is set against the backdrop of UN Sustainable Development Goal 15 (Life on Land).  It guides students to focus on protecting land life, conduct research on methods, determine solutions, and engage in hands-on design, building, coding, and decoration, ultimately completing a full rainwater collection and drip irrigation system.

Learning goals

Identify the relevant components of the Microbit and learn basic operations and connections.
Explore how sensors and actuators work, including Water Level Sensor, Soil Moisture Sensor and water pump.
Get to know SDG Goal 15 (Life on Land) and describe how this device protects and restores life on land.
Design, build and test a drip irrigation system that uses collected rainwater.

Materials

Drip irrigation Kit
Computer with access to Mind+
Micro USB cable in the kit
Two containers of soil in different humidity
Water

Start with the micro:bit

It’s really simple to learn to code with your BBC micro:bit. In this step we will introduce you to Microsoft MakeCode where you will create your first piece of code and transfer it to your micro:bit.
1.Enter the Microsoft’s MakeCode editor through the website below (recommend using Chrome or Edge browsers):
https://makecode.microbit.org/
As you enter this editor, your screen will look like this:

2.Let’s complete your first project, you will show “hello world!” in your micro:bit.
3.Click New Project to creates a new empty project.

4.Tap your project a name and click create.

5.Then follow the guide to finish the tour.

6.Now find the show string block. It’s in the Basic category in the toolbox. Put this in the forever block.

7.Inside the show string block, change the text “hello” to “hello world!”.

8.Let’s test your code in the micro:bit on-screen simulator.

9.Connect device by clicking the triple dots.

10.Connect you micro:bit to your computer through Micro USB cable. Then click Next.

11.Press the Pair button below. A window will appear in the top of your browser. Select the micro:bit device and click Connect.

12.Your micro:bit is connected.

13.Now download your code onto your micro:bit. Press the download button and follow the instructions.

14.You should see “hello world” scrolling on your micro:bit.

Course materials 

Teaching guide:
A guide covers step-by-step learning: Start with engaging discussions on key questions, explore the facts, demonstrate controller operations, let students practice coding, and extend learning through code modification.
How to use:
Before class, review its structure to know the content and prepare materials like Microbit boards.
During class, follow the 5E-based structure as the lesson flow.

Use key questions and activities to arouse curiosity, drive lessons and check understanding.

Activity Sheet:
A structured, task-oriented manual designed for hands-on learning, providing clear directions for students to follow throughout the lesson.
How to use:
Use it to reinforce lessons: Distribute during class for students to complete individually or in groups. Guide discussions with its questions, check task results to evaluate understanding.