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Micro:Bit

Resources on the Micro:bit, a pocket-size computer

What is the Micro:Bit

The Micro:Bit is a tiny programmable computer, designed to make learning and teaching easy and fun!

The BBC launched the Micro:Bit single-board microcontroller back in 2015 as an education tool for kids in an effort to get them actively involved in writing software and project development. 

The micro:bit comes with a large variety of built-in features, such as:

  • 25 individually-programmable LEDs that can flash messages
  • 2 programmable buttons that can be used to control games or pause and skip songs on a playlist
  • Physical connection pins to allow connect to external components 
  • Light and temperature sensors
  • Motion sensors (accelerometer and compass) that detect movement, and magnetic fields and the direction it is facing respectively
  • Wireless Communication, via Radio and Bluetooth
  • USB port

The micro:bit allows anyone to simply pick it up, plug it into a computer and start creating with it right away. It is designed to be a starting point to spark children's interest in coding so they can move on to other more complex do-it-yourself electronic devices such as Arduino and Raspberry Pi in the future.

The micro:bit can also connect with a variety of sensors, motors and other micro:bits. This extends the use of the micro:bit to build more complex projects and gives children more ways of expressing their creativity.