Student Assignment Sheet with Detailed Instructions, MakeCode Steps, and Rubric
Assignment Overview
Choose one project below. Build a working model using the micro:bit and explain how your input devices (buttons or
microphone) control the outputs (LED lights, servo motor, and sound). Your final project must demonstrate coding,
electronics, design, and presentation skills.
Student Directions
1. Read the project choices and select one project.
2. Sketch your design before building.
3. Connect your components carefully and test one part at a time.
4. Create your program in MakeCode.
5. Test and debug your project.
6. Prepare a short presentation explaining what the code does and how the hardware works.
Important Safety Note
Do not power a servo motor directly from the micro:bit if your setup requires more power than the board can safely
provide. Use an appropriate battery pack and teacher-approved wiring. Ask for help before connecting the servo.
Project 1: Emotion Robot
Project goal: Build a robot face or character that changes mood based on sound level or button input.
Suggested materials: micro:bit, servo motor, LED lights, microphone input or built-in sound sensing, battery pack,
cardboard/paper decorations
Build steps
7. Build a robot face or head from cardboard.
8. Use LEDs as eyes, cheeks, or warning lights.
9. Attach the servo so it moves the head, mouth, arm, or eyebrows.
10. Decide what each emotion will look like: calm, happy, angry, scared, or surprised.
11. Program the micro:bit so different sounds or button presses create different reactions.
Step-by-step MakeCode blocks
On start
show icon asleep or a neutral face
set servo to middle position, for example 90 degrees
turn LEDs off
Forever
measure sound level
if sound is low, show calm face, set servo to slow/small movement, keep LEDs dim or off
if sound is medium, show happy face, blink LEDs slowly, move servo a little
if sound is high, show angry or surprised face, flash LEDs quickly, move servo faster, play a warning tone
Optional button A
show happy face
move servo right
turn LEDs on for 1 second
play a short happy tone
Optional button B
show angry face
flash LEDs 4 times
move servo left and right
play a short alarm sound
Challenge ideas
Add a new emotion.
Use two LEDs with different patterns for each mood.
Make the robot react differently to clap versus loud continuous noise.
Project 2: Smart Security Door
Project goal: Create a model door that unlocks with a clap or button press and warns users with lights and sound.
Suggested materials: micro:bit, servo motor, LED lights, microphone input, battery pack, cardboard door model
Build steps
12. Build a small cardboard door or gate.
13. Attach the servo to open and close the door.
14. Use one LED for locked and another LED for unlocked status, if available.
15. Choose whether the door opens by clap, sound threshold, or button press.
16. Add an alarm mode for repeated loud sounds or a wrong input.
Step-by-step MakeCode blocks
On start
set servo to closed position
turn on red LED or show locked symbol
play a short start tone
Button A or sound trigger
if correct input is detected, move servo to open position
turn on green LED
show check mark or happy icon
play open-door tone
pause 2 seconds
return servo to closed position
Wrong input or alarm mode
flash red LED 5 times
show no symbol
play alarm sound
keep servo closed
Challenge ideas
Require two claps to unlock.
Add a countdown before the door closes.
Create a silent mode with LEDs only.
Project 3: Classroom Noise Meter
Project goal: Build a system that shows whether the room is quiet, acceptable, or too loud.
Suggested materials: micro:bit, servo motor, LED lights, microphone input, battery pack, paper arrow or meter
scale
Build steps
17. Create a noise meter scale with three zones: quiet, okay, too loud.
18. Attach a pointer to the servo motor.
19. Use LEDs to match the zones on your meter.
20. Program the micro:bit to monitor sound level.
21. Test the project with quiet voices, talking, and loud sounds.
Step-by-step MakeCode blocks
On start
set servo to left position for quiet
turn on green LED or show calm icon
Forever
measure sound level
if sound is low, point servo left and keep green LED on
if sound is medium, point servo center and blink yellow pattern or middle LED
if sound is high, point servo right, flash red LED, and play warning sound
Optional button A
reset meter to quiet position
clear warnings
Challenge ideas
Display the sound value on the micro:bit.
Add a delay so the alarm only starts after several loud readings.
Make the warning sound softer or stronger depending on the level.
Project 4: Smart Pet or Animal Model
Project goal: Build a pet or animal that reacts to sound with movement, lights, and sound effects.
Suggested materials: micro:bit, servo motor, LED lights, microphone input, battery pack, craft materials
Build steps
22. Choose an animal such as dog, bird, owl, fish, or frog.
23. Use the servo to move a tail, head, wings, jaw, or fin.
24. Use LEDs as eyes or body lights.
25. Decide how the animal reacts to quiet and loud sounds.
26. Add sound effects or tones for friendly or warning reactions.
Step-by-step MakeCode blocks
On start
show animal icon or heart
set servo to resting position
turn LEDs off or dim
When sound is detected
if sound is soft, move servo slowly and blink LEDs once
if sound is medium, wag or turn faster and play a short tone
if sound is loud, move quickly, flash LEDs, and play a warning tone
Optional button controls
button A can feed or calm the pet
button B can start play mode with repeated servo movement
Challenge ideas
Add a sleeping mode and wake-up mode.
Make the pet respond differently to one clap and two claps.
Create a decorated habitat or scene.
Planning Page
Chosen project
My inputs buttons, microphone, clap, sound level
My outputs servo movement, LED lights, sound
My design idea
My presentation notes
Rubric (100 points)
Criteria Excellent Developing Points
Code & logic Program works correctly with clear logic, Program is incomplete or has 25
conditions, and timing. major bugs.
Use of components Servo, LEDs, microphone, and sound Some components are missing, 20
are used correctly and meaningfully. incorrect, or not working.
Creativity & design Model is attractive, original, and clearly Design is basic, incomplete, or 15
matches the project idea. unclear.
Interaction Project responds clearly to sound or Response is limited or unclear. 10
button input.
Sequence & timing Movements, lights, and sound happen Timing is confusing or not fully 10
in a smooth order. tested.
Explanation Student explains code, wiring, and Student cannot clearly explain 10
design clearly. how it works.
Teamwork / effort Strong effort and shared participation. Limited effort or uneven 5
participation.
Organization & Clean setup and safe handling of Messy or unsafe setup. 5
safety materials.
Teacher Notes
Suggested presentation length: 1–2 minutes per group. Students should demonstrate the project live if possible and
explain which input causes each output. A bonus of up to 5 points may be given for extra features such as multiple
sound patterns, additional emotions, a decorated background, or more advanced code.