micro:bit for primary schools – mb4ps.co.uk Independent project – PXT Editor update Temperature Monitor Written by Neil Rickus. Licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Objectives Develop a micro:bit based remote temperature monitor

Problem NASA’s Earth observing system requires some new, cost effective, sensors to be built - eospso.nasa.gov The team wishes to monitor the temperature at the north pole, but it is too cold for people to stay outside all the time

Problem

Problem NASA has heard about the micro:bit’s temperature sensor, but, due to the extreme conditions, they are unable to regularly visit a device to see what the temperature is The team were wondering whether the micro:bit radio could be used to view the temperature on a different micro:bit device (i.e. one micro:bit outside as the temperature sensor, with another micro:bit inside to view the outside temperature) What features should the temperature sensor have? Which features are essential? Which features are desirable?

Features Essential: Desirable: Show the current temperature on a different micro:bit Desirable: Only show the temperature when a button is pressed Show if the temperature has increased / decreased / stayed the same (since last checked) Show previous temperature(s) Show the number of seconds since the temperature was last checked Show the lowest / highest temperature recorded Show the mean (average) temperature recorded Show emergency messages / play sounds when the temperature goes above / below a certain temperature

Implementation For the essential feature, discuss how you might implement them Focus on the functionality, rather than the specific blocks you’ll need Start with the outside micro:bit, then think about the inside micro:bit Use a whiteboard and pen if you need it Essential feature: Show the current temperature on a different micro:bit

Sending data We need a set the radio group ID before we send any data We then need to regularly send the temperature, which is a numerical value

Sending data We need a set the radio group ID before we send any data We then need to regularly send the temperature, which is a numerical value

Receiving data We need to set the radio group ID to the same as the micro:bit sending data Once the temperature data is received, we need to display this numerical value

Receiving data We need to set the radio group ID to the same as the micro:bit sending data Once the temperature data is received, we need to display this numerical value

Desirable features Desirable: Only show the temperature when a button is pressed How could you use an if, then block to check if a button was pressed?

Desirable features Desirable: Only show the temperature when a button is pressed How could you use an if, then block to check if a button was pressed?

Desirable features Desirable: Show if the temperature has increased / decreased / stayed the same (since last checked) Show previous temperature(s) We need to store the last temperature in a variable, then check if it is different to the temperature received

Desirable features Desirable: Show if the temperature has increased / decreased / stayed the same (since last checked) Show previous temperature(s) We need to store the last temperature in a variable, then check if it is different to the temperature received

Desirable Features Desirable: Only show the temperature when a button is pressed Show if the temperature has increased / decreased / stayed the same (since last checked) Show previous temperature(s) Show the number of seconds since the temperature was last checked Show the lowest / highest temperature recorded Show the mean (average) temperature recorded Show emergency messages / play sounds when the temperature goes above / below a certain temperature