---

Introduction

Aims

In this part of the activity we will:

• Write a basic program
• Download it to the micro:bit
• Run the program

Learning outcomes

Learning outcome
Code	Write a simple program in the browser development environment
Physical computing	Download and run the program on a microcontroller

---

Preperation

Equipment required

Equipment item	Quantity
Micro:bit	1

Tools required

Tool	Quantity
USB cable	1

---

Activity instructions

Let’s write our first program

Let’s write some code to make the microbit display a smiley face when the program starts When you have finished - download it to you micro:bit (follow the instructions here)

Blocks	Python

Let’s make the face change

• Microcontrollers work using a ‘forever loop’
• Let’s write a function to make the face switch between sad and happy in the forever loop

Blocks	Python

Let’s program a button input

• We can use buttons as inputs
• Let’s use the following to make the face switch between happy and sad:
  • Buttons
  • An if statement
  • A variable called ‘state’

Blocks	Python

---

Extension Questions

• Can you make the faces change to other expressions?
• Can you change how long the faces are displayed for?