One dimensional fireworks

    This is a handout for a workshop at the Milton Keynes Raspberry Jam on 10 November 2018. Code for the workshop is on Github.

    In this session, you'll use a Raspberry Pi to program a Micro:bit, and the Micro:bit will control a NeoPixel strip and make it a one-dimensional firework.

    Connecting the Micro:bit and Neopixel strip

    • Connect the black lead on the Neopixel strip to the GND hole on the Microbit.
    • Connect the red lead on the Neopixel to the 3V hole on the Microbit.
    • Connect the white lead on the Neopixel to the 0 hole on the Microbit.
    • Use the USB cable to connect the Microbit to the Raspberry Pi

    Starting the Mu editor

    Find the "Start" menu → Programming → mu
    Once you've opened Mu, press the Mode button and press "BBC micro:bit"

    Program 1: launching the firework

    Type this program into the Mu editor. It will do the animation for a firework launching.

    Note that Python is really picky about

    • spacing and indentation
    • upper and lower case letters
    • round and square brackets
    • colons at the end of some lines
    • the difference between zero and oh, and one and ell.
    Program 1

    When you've typed it in, press "Save" button to save your file then press the "Flash" button to put the program on the Microbit.

    When you press the A button on the Microbit, you should see a little light shoot along the strip.

    Program 2: making the launch motion-sensitive

    Pressing the button is OK, but let's make the firework launch if you shake the Microbit.

    Make the changes indicated to your program. You don't need to type the '# Add this line' comments: that's just to show you what to do.

    Program 2

    Again, save and flash the program. Now try shaking the Microbit and see if it launches a firework.

    Program 3: Exploding fireworks

    Now to make the firework explode at the top!

    Program 3

    Again, save and flash your program. You should now have explosions!

    Program 4

    What you've got is OK, but let's add some animation to the explosion. Let's make it start small and rapidly grow, and then fade over a bit of time.

    Program 4

    Again, save and flash the program. Cool animation!

    Program 5: different colour explosions

    Always having the same colour explosion is a bit boring. Let's make every explosion a different colour.

    Program 5

    Again, save and flash the program. Even cooler animation!

    Program 6: speeding up the animation

    The animation's a bit slow. We can speed things up by only updating the pixels that change, rather than all of them.

    Program 6

    Program 7: Microbit display

    The Microbit has a small display. Let's use that to show the firework is ready.

    Program 7

    Program 8: Radio control

    The Micro:bit has a radio. Let's use that to make one firework (sometimes) set off another firework.

    Program 8

    Credits

    Cover photo by unsplash-logoTerry Vlisidis

    Neil Smith

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