micro:bit Projects with Python and Single Board Computers: Building STEAM Projects with Code Club and Kids' Maker Groups

Table of Contents
About the Author
About the Technical Reviewer
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Chapter 1: Getting Started
	A Quick Tale: Several Years of Mistakes – Numbers, Passwords, Computers, Accountability, and More
	What Is Your Baseline – Where Are You Starting From?
		Tasks for Establishing a Baseline
			Identify Some Prewritten Content to Start With
			Sit Down with Other Teachers and Volunteers to Discuss What You All Want to Achieve
			Work Out How Many Kids Your Team of Volunteers Can Comfortably Handle
			Resist the Temptation to Accept Too Many Kids at First
			Discuss How to Manage the Expectations of the Kids and Their Guardians
			Health and Discipline Issues
			Work Out What You Want the Code Club or Maker Group to Be
		Work Out Your Initial Scope: What Are Your First Milestones?
	Equipment and Initial Setup
		Computers/Laptops
		Optimizing Your Environment
		Onboarding at the Start of Each Year
		Computers and IT Support
		Login and Password Basics
		Another Alternative – Make Your Space Portable
		The Tech Stuff: Learn by Applying
			Two Examples of Problems and Solutions
			Troubleshooting and Debugging
			Strategies for Volunteer Collaboration
			Graphical vs. Text-Based Programming
	Summary
	Chapter 1: Cheat Sheet
		Sources for Free Content and Support
		Short-Term Goal/Milestone Examples
		Long-Term Goal Examples
		Questions to Ask When Helping Kids Troubleshoot Their Code
		Other Useful Tips for Troubleshooting
		Checklist for Volunteer Onboarding
		Checklist for Participants and Guardians
Chapter 2: Getting Our Hands Dirty with MicroPython
	A Quick Tale: Jumping In with Our Code Club
	Tracking Progress
	What Can We Do in One Hour?
	Introducing the BBC micro:bit
		Setting Up an Editor
		Scaling Up: Adding Challenges
		Challenge Discussion and Solution
		Ideas for Even More Features
		Going Further: Adding External Components
			Adding an amplified speaker
	Summary
	Chapter 2: Cheat Sheet
		Introduction to the micro:bit
			Editors/Integrated Development Environments (IDEs)
		Completing Initial Learning Projects
		Creating New Projects
		Add Features with Challenges
			Terminology
Chapter 3: General Python Programming
	A Quick Tale: Answers to Common Questions – Weaning Off Blocks and Tablets
	Python Program Structure
		A Friendly Python Environment on Your Computer
			Thonny
		Mu Editor
		Test Our Environment
		Installing Python Libraries in Thonny
		Python Script Structure
		Going Further: Internet and Other Devices
			On Your Private Network
			Using Your Mobile Device
			The Internet
	Summary
	Chapter 3: Cheat Sheet
Chapter 4: Getting Tactile with Python
	A Quick Tale: Keeping It Simple to Build Bigger
	E-textiles: Building Circuits on Fabric and Cardboard
		Starting with a Simple Circuit
		Considerations for E-textile Projects
			Washability
			Tools
			Threading Your Needle
			What Type of Stitches Are Best?
			Fixing Sewing Mistakes
			Knots and Attaching Components
	Summary
	Chapter 4: Cheat Sheet
Chapter 5: Freestyling with Python: Going Off Map and Applying Skills
	A Quick Tale: When Progress Levels Diverge
	Finding Your Own Project – From Start to Finish
	Beginning with Diagrams: The Self-Watering Plant Project
	Scaling Up Our Project: Understanding How Things Work and Adding One Thing at a Time
	Pros and Cons of Simplifying Projects
		Cost
		Perception of Difficulty
		Reducing Challenges Can Limit What We Learn
		Continuity
		Scaling Even Further
		Code Club Alumni
	Adapting Our Skills: An API Project in Python with Trinket.io
	Summary
	Chapter 5: Cheat Sheet
Chapter 6: Collaboration: Working with Others
	A Quick Tale: Devs and Testers
		What Is Open Source Software?
	Working Online: Collaborating with Online Tools
		Code Collaboration Tools
			Code Collaboration Terminology
			Other Collaborative Tools
		Using Programming Terminology to Communicate When Collaborating
		Testing Yourself: Creating Your Own Game Writing Workshops with What You’ve Learned
		Communications
		Security and Privacy When Working Online
			Separate Your Things
			Use Layered Defenses
			Be Careful with What Software You Use
			Be Careful What You Trust
	Chapter 6: Cheat Sheet
		Devs and Testers Activity (2 x 1-Hour Blocks)
		Open Source Software
			Collaborating with Online Tools
		Security and Privacy When Working Online
		Code Collaboration Terminology
		Creating Your Own Workshops
Chapter 7: Electronics: Basic Skills and Tools
	A Quick Tale: Getting the Burn for Electronic Projects
	Basic Electronic Component Primer
		Electronic Schematics and Datasheets
		Breadboards and Circuit Boards
		Through-Hole vs. Surface-Mount Components
		Resistors
			Ohm’s Law
			Symbol for Resistors
		Transistors
			Symbols for Transistors
		Capacitors
			Symbol for Capacitor
		Diodes
			Symbol for Diode
		Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs)
			Symbol for LED
		Integrated Circuit (IC) Chips
	Soldering!
		Tools You Will Need for Soldering
			Soldering Iron/Station
			Solder
			Tip Cleaner
			Helping Hands/Mini Vise
			Cutters/Side Cutters
			Wire Strippers
			Heat-Proof Mat
			Solder Sucker/Desoldering Braid
		Other Useful Things to Have
		How to Solder
		Teaching Kids to Solder
		Handy Software Tools
			TinkerCAD
	Embedded Programming
		Some Useful Concepts to Understand
			Microcontroller Breakout Board
			Common Communication Protocols
	Approaching a New Microcontroller Electronic Project (Digital)
		Software and Hardware Support for Proposed Components
		Support for Languages We Are Proficient In
		Availability of Parts to Scale Things Up
		Draw a Diagram, Create a Schematic
		Breadboard Prototype
		Going Further
		Introducing the Raspberry Pi Pico
	Next Steps
	Summary
	Chapter 7: Cheat Sheet
		Electronic Components
			Concepts
			Components
			Soldering Tools
			Soldering
			Software Tools
			Other Useful Concepts
			Approaching a New Electronic Project (Digital)
			Badge Project
			Next Steps
Chapter 8: Putting It All Together
	Planning a Year of a School Maker Space/Code Club with Python
	Deciding on Communication Channels
		Communicating with Parents/Guardians
		Communicating with Volunteers/Teachers
		Communicating with IT Staff
	Setting Expectations
		Expectations for Participating Kids
			Accounts Required
			Display of Projects, Photos, Blog Posts
			Expectations of Behavior and Conditions of Attendance
		Setting Expectations for Volunteers
		A Note About Qualifying/Filtering Volunteers
	Get a Benchmark of Skills Across the Group for Kids and Volunteers
	Build Some Basic Skills to Equip Kids to Go the Distance
	Group Activities
	Develop and Deliver Workshops with Scalable Projects
	Club Excursions/Events, Community/School Events
	Demos
	Contribute Back
	Encouraging Alumni to Volunteer
	Learning from Mistakes and Learning More
		Keeping Yourself Motivated and Kids Engaged
		Preparation
		Scaling Things Up
	My Experience Highlights
	It’s Up to You, Now!
		Chapter 8: Cheat Sheet
			Communications
			Expectations
			Setup
			Skill Building
			Interim Group Projects for Those Ahead
			Workshops
			Events
			Start Making Your Own Projects
			Contribute to Community Projects
			Encourage Alumni to Come Back As Volunteers
Appendix A: Traffic Light Workshops
Index