Technology Resources

The Complete Guide to Sensors for Robotics

Sensors are fundamental to programming robotics. They are used to recognize environmental data (things like temperature, light levels, and motion) and provide the information they collect to computer code. If the computer code is looking for that information

How do Touchscreens work?

Touchscreens are a common feature of our daily lives. We use them on devices like smartphones, ATM displays, and car consoles. 

micro:bit Add-on: touch:bit

The touch:bit is a micro:bit add-on created by Pimoroni. It has six pads that use capacitive touch to let you communicate with your micro:bit. You can use the touchpads to control behavior in your micro:bit or in another device using the radio communication functionality of the micro:bit.

micro:bit add-on: Monk Makes Servo

The Monk Makes Servo add-on gives you the ability to add three servos to the micro:bit. It has a power supply to power both the micro:bit and the servos, so there is no need to also attach a battery to the micro:bit.

The Ultimate Guide to micro:bit Add-ons and Extensions

The micro:bit is a popular tool to use for learning how to program physical devices, which is the foundation of robotics. The micro:bit is powerful as a standalone device, but adding other devices to it to makes it even better at helping people new to computer programming learn the basics of coding and computational thinking. Third-party companies have created a a lot of add-ons and accessories for the micro:bit since its introduction. This guide will help you weed through them...

micro:bit add-on: Kiktronik ZIP Tiles

The Zip Tile is an 8x8 array of LEDs. Read more about how each LED can be programmed to be a certain color and have a certain behavior.

micro:bit – Add more display space by adding a scroll:bit

The scroll:bit gives you more than four times the space of the display area on the micro:bit with a 17×7 array of white LEDs. You can use it to teach more advanced coding, or to get creative and build things like an LED badge. The scroll:bit makes all the connections to the micro:bit so you don’t need to worry about connecting how to connect it.

Introduction to MakeCode using micro:bit

MakeCode is a web-based programming application. We list why it is a great tool for teaching students about programming and robotics, and include a short video on how to get started writing block code in MakeCode.

Paper Circuits – Batteries in Series and Parallel

Batteries can be set up in series and in parallel just like LEDs. If you want to experiment with it, use these examples to get started. They both use two 3 Volt batteries but the way the batteries deliver power is different: Batteries in Series To set up batteries in series, connect the negative of the first battery to the positive of the second. Then connect positive of the first battery to the negative of the second. Connecting the batteries...

Paper Engineering: Five Books and One Online Class about Automata

Don’t know what automata is? You aren’t the only one. Automata are mechanical devices that are made to look like they are moving on their own. Here are some examples . Automata are interesting to watch, but they also have a practical purpose. They provide an introduction to simple machines and mechanisms like gears, cranks, cams, cam followers, and levers.  Working with kids to build automatons is a way to get them exploring their creative side while they learn about technology...