OVERVIEW

Activity Overview:

Using Astronomical Units, students will program and use a Micro:bit to measure the AU distances to the scale of their steps.

Meta description

• Subject Area: Computer Science, Science
• Grade Level : 6-8
• Computer Science Domains:
  • Algorithms and Programming
• Computer Science Principles:
  • Creating Computational Artifacts
• Materials:
  • Micro:bit
• Considerations:
  • No prior knowledge necessary.

Lesson Plan

Overview

Using Astronomical Units, students will program and use a Micro:bit to measure the AU distances to the scale of their steps.

ASSESSMENT PRE/POST-TEST

How are distances in space measured?

OBJECTIVES

Explain what an Astronomical Unit represents. Program the Micro:bit to count each step and signal when a milestone (planet) is reached.

CATCH/HOOK

It would take you 12 years to travel in a spaceship to Neptune!

ACTIVITY INSTRUCTIONS

Code Micro:bit to use the On Shake input to record each step. Use the Show String Block to announce when a milestone is reached. See attached document for detailed procedure.

Supplements

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REVIEW

What surprised you? Were planets closer or further away than you expected?

STANDARDS