CODE FOR CLIMATE

Introduction - climate tech

Discussion

What environmental or energy issues concern you the most?

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Do you have any ideas or solutions?

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How can computational thinking help solve problems?

Conservation through automation

Introducing Micro:bits

Computational thinking - Inputs & outputs

What can a Micro:bit do?

What can a Micro:bit sense? (INPUT)

How can a Micro:bit respond? (OUTPUT)

• Buttons pressed
• Shake
• Pin (conductivity)
• Light level
• Compass heading
• Temperature
• Humidity
• Acceleration
• Bluetooth
• V2 (Sound level & Logo pressed)

• Light LEDs
• Words, symbols, graph, arrow
• Pin (conductivity)
• Stop/start various attachments (lights, water pump, motor)
• Bluetooth
• Sounds/music (w speaker or V2)

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BRAINSTORM!

What could you build to increase efficiency through automation?

Advanced Agriculture

Automated Farming

Benefits of these technologies:

• Make it easier to grow plants without soil
• Indoor farming utilizes less water w “mist”
• Not weather dependent - can grow all year
• Less need for natural sunlight
• Soil erosion and nutrient runoff is eliminated
• Controlled environment eliminates the need for pesticides which hurt our pollinators

There are 3 main indoor farming technologies

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1. Hydroponics
2. Aquaponics
3. Aeroponics

Open Make Code

https://Micro:bit.org/code/

Let’s Code → MakeCode editor → New Project → Name → Create

Code your Micro:bit

Download/pair

As your program downloads, the yellow light flashes. When it’s solid, your code will run.

STEPS:

1. Plug in Micro:bit
2. Click
1. download
2. pair now
3. next
4. next
5. Select your device
6. connect
7. done
3. Click download

Download/pair (the old way)

As your program downloads, the yellow light flashes. When it’s solid, your code will run.

Download directly to the micro:bit or drag it over.

1

2

3

Show in folder

(on a PC you can download directly)

+ Extensions → Search “CLIMATE” → Land Action → Voilà!

Add InskSmith Blocks

Once you have this done, download it to your Micro:bit!

Code water pump w button A

Explanation of code: When button A is pressed, the umbrella will be displayed for 4 seconds while the pump is on. The screen will clear when the pump turns off.

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The show icon block will help to troubleshoot - if the pump doesn’t turn on when the button is pressed, but the icon appears, we can at least confirm that the code inside the button A block is being executed.

Code water pump w button A

Plug in here

Switch on

Build your system

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Put your Micro:bit in the base facing this way

Add enough water in the cup to cover the pump

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Make sure the tube is IN the cup!

Double-check wiring!

(0)

This is very important!

Does it work?

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Good - now build the rest!

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Code automated water pump

Once you have this done, download it to your Micro:bit

Download & test

TIPS:

• Try it first with the water sensor on the table
• Does it work?
• Try putting the water sensor in the water
• Does it work?

Debugging

It doesn't work!

• A Micro;bit is only as good as the code! Go through it carefully and even restart from scratch if you have to.
• Think like a machine. Take it one step at a time and test out each step separately as you go
• Collaboration is key! Ask a classmate for help.
• When it doubt, look it up online!

Need more help?

Enrolment codes are found inside the kits

Extension - Solar power!

Did you know?

• You can make any Micro:bit solar powered!
• Solar energy is a renewable and sustainable resource!

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Can you think of any other solar powered devices?

Alternative Version

Find this version on the BGSD Micro:bit site under Science 7

Reflection

BGSD Students got to talk to astronaut David Saint Jacques LIVE from the ISS thanks to coding with LTS Living Space!

• Why is it important to utilize automation?
• How does this help us reduce energy use?
• If you could build ANYTHING to help with energy or the environment, what would it be?

Double-check wiring!

(0)

This is very important!

The Final Code

Prizes!