micro:bit Classroom Class Pack (30 Students)

Sample 45-minute lesson plan

Target year: Year 3-4, Year 5-6, Year 7-8, Year 9-10

Topic: Introduction to physical computing with the micro:bit Classroom Class Pack (30 Students).

Learning objectives

• Identify the components of the kit and their function.
• Write and deploy a simple program.
• Describe how input devices trigger outputs in code.

Materials

• 30× micro:bit v2 Board
• 30× micro:bit USB Cable 300mm - Green
• 30× micro:bit Battery Holder - 2xAAA (JST-PH)
• 30× micro:bit case - Black

One kit per student or per pair, plus teacher demo unit.

Procedure (timing)

1. 0–5 min — Hook: Show a finished project (reaction game) and ask students what's happening.
2. 5–15 min — Kit tour: Hand out kits. Students identify each component against a printed checklist.
3. 15–30 min — Guided code: Follow along as class writes their first program together.
4. 30–40 min — Independent challenge: Students modify the sample to change behaviour (new sound / new emoji / etc.).
5. 40–45 min — Share & pack away: 2-minute shares, then pack kits correctly.

Differentiation

• Support: pre-filled worksheet with screenshots of each coding block.
• Extension: students combine two inputs (e.g. button + accelerometer) to produce a conditional output.

Your first time using the kit

1. Check your kit contains everything on the list your teacher gave you.
2. Plug the USB cable into your computer and into the device.
3. Open the coding site your teacher has set up (MakeCode, Thonny, Arduino IDE, etc.).
4. Open your first program. Click Download or Flash.
5. Disconnect the USB, attach the battery pack, and your project now runs standalone.

Looking after your kit

• Handle circuit boards by the edges.
• Never plug battery power in and USB power in at the same time unless your teacher says so.
• Pack everything into the labelled bag at the end of the lesson.
• If something doesn't work, tell your teacher — don't try to fix it by bending pins.

Getting help

Stuck? Raise your hand, ask a classmate, or search the term on your coding platform's help site.

Risk assessment (Australia — general electronics classroom)

HazardLikelihoodConsequenceControls Small parts / choking hazard Low Moderate Not suitable for students under 3. Supervise younger primary students when handling small components. Battery damage / leakage Low Moderate Use manufacturer-approved cells. Inspect for corrosion before each lesson. Remove batteries before long-term storage. Electrostatic discharge Low Low Handle boards by the edges. Avoid carpeted areas where possible; discharge static by touching a grounded metal surface before handling. Trip hazard from cables Medium Low Run USB cables along benches, not across aisles. Remove dangling cables during pack-up. Device overheating under heavy load Low Low Keep devices in open air, not covered. Disconnect if a component feels hot.

Schools should supplement this general assessment with their own site-specific assessment and align with the relevant state WHS / OH&S policies.