BOSON Coding Starter Kit for micro:bit

1. Introduction

This kit includes 15 well selected modules, by which, students can create 3 non-programming projects and 12 programming projects. They can directly use Boson’s logic modules to build up projects without coding, or program other modules to realize more intelligent and complicated ideas. Meanwhile, they can learn something about algorithms & programming.

Features

3 Logic modules, 10 other modules with functions of sound, human detecting
Contents: Algorithm & Programming
Help students transition from coding theory study to graphical programming practice

Specification

Controller: micro:bit
Programming Platform: Mindplus & makecode
Weight: 1.57kg
Contents difficulty: easy
Add BOSON library file to Makecode: https://github.com/DFRobot/pxt-DFRobot_Boson_Kit.git

2. Introduction to Teaching Contents and Projects

Coding Start Kit Tutorial is a micro:bit-based programming course designed for kids in early primary school. It aims to introduce the basics of electronics and programming to students. The 13 coding-free BOSON modules used in the course allow students to transit from physical programming to real coding learning, laying the foundation of electronic basics for future study and enhancing their understanding of conditional statement and logic calculation. PBL teaching method is mainly used in the course. Students will learn by working together to build projects like automatic doors, speed adjustable fans, etc., by which to improve their problem-solving ability.
Refer to CSTA curriculum standard, the course catalog and field distribution are shown below:

2.1 Project Introduction

Non-programming Projects

Project	Project Description
Project1: The Clever LED	Button-Controlled Lamp: To make a button-controlled lamp, we need to use the button module as the switch, which is input component, and the LED module as output component. Power on, and the LED will be on when you press the button and be off when you release it. Motion-sensing Lamp: To make a motion-sensing lamp, we need a motion sensor and a LED module, and connect them to the same circuit with the power supply mainboard. Power on, and the LED will be on when you close to the sensor and be off when you are away from it.
Project2: DIY Fan	Rotary-knob Fan: In this project, we use the rotary-knob as the switch, which is input component, and the fan as output component. Power on, and the fan will rotate when you turn the knob. The rotating speed of the fan will vary with the turning angle of the knob! Sound-Controlled Fan: In this project, we use the sound sensor as input component, and the fan as output component. Power on, and try "speaking" to the sensor to see if the fan will rotate.
Project3: Complex Control	Multi-Conditions Triggered Lamp: In this project, we use both the sound sensor and the button as the input component, and the LED module as output component. The objective is to control the LED with both the button and sound. Smart Light-Adjustable Lamp: In this project, we use the motion sensor and the knob module as the input component, and the LED module as output component. The objective is to make an smart light-adjustable nightlight.

Programming Project

Project	Project Description
	Before getting into coding, we should first know some tools that help turn our ideas into reality. So this project mainly introduces Mind+ platform, micro:bit, micro: bit expansion board and how to use them.
	The controller is the core of programming projects. So in this project, we will control the on-board 25 LEDs of micro:bit to be on/off by programming to display various patterns.
	Light up LEDs: In this project, we will light up LED and keep it on through programming. Flash the LED Light: In the last project, we learned how to light up LED and keep it on. And in this one, we will let the LED repeatedly keep on for 1 second and keep off for 1 second.
	Control LED by Push Button: We made a button-controlled lamp in the non-programming project. And in this one, we will try controlling a LED via push button by programming. Press the push button, the LED turns ON, and release it, the LED goes OFF. Control LED by Knob: Sometimes, the light is too bright and we want to dim it. By programming, we can use a knob to control LED brightness. For example, when the knob is turned clockwise, the LED brightness will increase, and when turned counterclockwise, LED brightness will reduce.
	Push-button Fan: The push button can be used as input module to control a fan besides LEDs. This project will realize the effect like this by programming: when the button is pressed, this command will be executed and the fan starts to rotate; Release the button, the fan stops rotating. Set the fan running at different speed: Commonly, fans in the market can run at different speeds. By programming, we will use the knob module to control the rotating speed of the fan in this project.
	Detect the sound strength: If we want to know the volume of our voice, how to design the project? In this project, the sound is graded as 1 and 2. When the analog value of sound intensity is less than 80, we set the on-board LED to display the figure “1”, which means that the sound is low and intensity is grade 1; when the analog value is over 80, the on-board LED display figure “2”, which means the sound intensity is grade 2. micro: bit Candle: This project shows how to make an electronic candle. After programming, when the analog value of sound sensor is less than the preset value of 80, the LED keeps on, otherwise, blow it like a candle, when the sound intensity is over 80, the LED keeps off for 2 seconds.
	Control Servo with Push Button: In previous projects, we learned how to use push button to control LEDs and fan. And in this one, we will use it to control the servo by programming. For example, when we press the button and the servo rotates 100°; release the button, the servo rotates 0°. Control the Servo with Motion Sensor: There are automatic doors in many public places, if we want to realize the effect of automatic doors, how to do that? In this project, we can use a motion sensor to detect human motion. By programming, the servo rotates 100° if someone passed, otherwise rotates 0°.
	Play Music: In this project, we will connect micro: bit board to computer with USB cable, plug the earphone into the earphone jack, then write music melody into micro:bit on Mind+. Smart Music Box: If we want to make a music box that plays music when someone is moving closer, how to design it? In this project, we can use motion sensor to detect if anyone is approaching, if so, it will play the song Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.
	Turn on the RGB LED strip: WS2812 RGB LED strip can be lit and shine like a rainbow. In this project, we will program to light up the LED strip and make it display a seven-color light effect. Turn on the rainbow LEDs: WS2812 RGB LED strip consists of 7 LEDs. In this project, we will light ON 1 LED every second using Variables. RGB LED strip controlled by a sound sensor: Control the RGB LED strip with a sound sensor. light ON 1 LED every time when making sound, after all 7 LEDs are lighted, light OFF all LEDs and repeat lighting ON one by one again.
	Sometimes I hold my cell phone horizontally in my hand, but when my hand turns to the left, the sreen content page magically turns to the right. Why? In this project, we will explore this magic function! Through the accelerator on the micro:bit, we can make a servo keep pointing upright regardless of how we tilt the board.
	In this project, we will use a knob module and RGB LED strip to make a DJ panel. The objective is to play different music and make the LED strip flash different colors by rotating the knob at different angles!
	If I want to hear the knock on my front door even though I'm in my bedroom. How to design it? In this project, we can use the micro:bit with wireless transmission function to make a remote-control doorbell.
	Do you like playing games with your friends? In this project, we will make the game Bomb. When we start to play the game Bomb, the LEDs enter the countdown mode. When all LEDs are OFF, which means the countdown is over, the bomb will explode immediately. If we want to defuse the bomb before it explodes, we need to tilt the micro: bit board in the direction that the LED indicates, if the 20 actions are finished before all the LEDs go out, then the bomb is defused successfully.

3. Documents

Click to view online tutorial: BOSON Coding Starter Kit tutorial-Programming project"

Click to download the tutorial: EDU0080-EN Coding Start Kit Tutorial-Mind+-EN.pdf

Click to download the Getting Started: EDU0080-EN Quick Start Guide-EN.pdf

Click to download the Project card: EDU0080-EN Non-Programming project card-EN.pdf & EDU0080-EN Programming project card -EN.pdf

Product pictures:

4. Product List

Click on name to enter product wiki webpage


DFR0521 Boson micro:bit Mainboard *1	BOS0017-R Red LED Module *1	BOS0021 Fan Module *1	BOS0001 Rotation Sensor *1	BOS0009 Sound Sensor*1

BOS0022 Voice Recorder *1	SER0045 Boson:9g Metal Gear Micro Servo *1	FIT0656 WS2812 RGB Full Color *1	BOS0002-R Red Push Button *1	BOS0013 Motion Sensor *1

BOS0029 Logic Module - NOT *1	BOS0027 Logic Module - AND *1	BOS0028 Logic Module - OR *1	BOS0036 Mainboard-1IO(Red)*1	FIT0529 Boson:3xAAA Battery Holder *1
			Others
Quick Start Guide *1	micro:bit Programming Project Card *7	Non-programming Project Card *5	Boson Micro USB Cable * 1 10cm Sensor Cable * 15 5cm Sensor Cable * 5