Use the Micro:bit with the Arduino IDE @adafruit @arduino @microbit_edu
Did you know that the Arduino IDE can be used to program the micro:bit? Now you have yet another way to use this cool board! Learn how to set up Arduino to program your micro:bit, blink some LEDs, read the internal temperature sensor, send and receive data over Bluetooth – even log data to Adafruit.IO!
The micro:bit is a small nRF51-powered learning platform for kids – you can use it with Microsoft MakeCode (drag-n-drop block programming or Javascript), micropython, or mbed. But we really like using the Arduino IDE, especially since there’s thousands of existing projects you can use and adapt. Also, you get to have much more advanced projects since you won’t run out of memory (as you would with micropython) and you can write just about any code you want (with MakeCode you are more constrained to what has already been provided for you, a trade-off for ease-of-use).
Pick up a microbit and follow along on how you can do some pretty advanced things with your ‘bit!
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Stop breadboarding and soldering – start making immediately! Adafruit’s Circuit Playground is jam-packed with LEDs, sensors, buttons, alligator clip pads and more. Build projects with Circuit Playground in a few minutes with the drag-and-drop MakeCode programming site, learn computer science using the CS Discoveries class on code.org, jump into CircuitPython to learn Python and hardware together, TinyGO, or even use the Arduino IDE. Circuit Playground Express is the newest and best Circuit Playground board, with support for CircuitPython, MakeCode, and Arduino. It has a powerful processor, 10 NeoPixels, mini speaker, InfraRed receive and transmit, two buttons, a switch, 14 alligator clip pads, and lots of sensors: capacitive touch, IR proximity, temperature, light, motion and sound. A whole wide world of electronics and coding is waiting for you, and it fits in the palm of your hand.
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