Level 1: Coding Challenge: Give the monster a face using the lights.
Now that we’ve explored the many features of the micro:bit and bit:booster that can be used in our Monster, let’s focus on one feature and task: giving it a face using the lights.
Step 1: Decide how you want to use the different lights.
Step 2: Program it, test it out, program your lights and confirm that you made the right decision.
Too easy? Here are some ideas to take this challenge further:
Now that you’ve made one face, can you give it other faces? Happy, Sad, Angry?
Can you make the face move? Can it look like it is talking? Can it look like it is winking? How can you give the Monster even more personality by moving the lights?
Play with the sound and the face, how does that add to the personality?
Step 1: Decide how to use the lights
This decision completely up to you. Are the LEDs eyes and possibly a nose? Are the LEDs a mouth, as both mouth and nose, or as the entire face? What are the neopixels used for?
There is no right or wrong answer… it is up to your imagination. Experiment with different ideas before you decide.
Not sure where to start? Here’s link to template you can print to sketch out your own ideas with a pen a paper.
Step 2: Program the board
Remember, no matter which direction you chose, when starting to write your code, the board always assumes that the neopixels are on top and that “up” is oriented as in the image to the right.
Since the neopixels are addressed individually, this shouldn’t be too confusing, but you may need to remember to program the MakeCode block for the 5X5 red LEDs upside down.
The code below is an example of the face above with a green smile. Note how the “show leds” block is programmed upside down.
The embedded code below is an example of the face shown above with the green smile. Notice how the eyes and nose are coded upside down since the NeoPixels are the face. Also note how the NeoPixel strip is set at a brightness of 100 (out a possible range of 0-255). NeoPixels are very very bright and we sometimes set it as low as 5 to photograph well! Here’s a link to the same code.
Once you’ve decided which way is up, give it some legs. If you have access to a 3D printer, check these out:
No printer, no problem.
Explore different ways you can prop up your bit:booster. Try binder clips, cardboard, Lego, etc.