Resources for the 'Firecracking Coders' Creative Computing Club.
During this workshop, you will use Scratch and a BBC micro:bit to make and control and animated fireworks display.
This page recaps what we discussed as a group.
To use a BBC micro:bit with Scratch, you need to follow the instructions here.
Open a new Scratch project, your screen should look like this:
If this is your first time using Scratch, try out the official tutorials to learn the basics first, before setting up your micro:bit!
To make our firework program look cool, we need a good backdrop.
Click the Change Backdrop button on the bottom right.
Either choose a built in background, or create your own.
The Scratch cat (or a different character sprite!) is going to watch your fireworks display - decide where they are going to stand, and give them some starting instructions. For example:
Click the micro:bit extension menu, you are going to try out a few of the blocks to see how they work.
when A button pressed - use this as a Scratch event, instead of clicking the green flag.
Can you get the Scratch cat to do something interesting when you press A on the micro:bit?
There are three other micro:bit event blocks, try them out and see what they do!
when moved & when tilted make use of the micro:bit's accelerometer - it knows when it is being moved around! Try out the different options.when pin0 connected uses capacitive touch - you can use your body to make a connection. Hold the micro:bit's 0 pin with one finger, and the GND pin with another finger!How could you add the micro:bit's display into your Scratch program?
display ♥ puts an image on the micro:bit's display.display text Hello adds whatever text you write onto the micro:bit's display.How will you use this in your Scratch program?
Now it's time to combine all of these things to create your firework display.
To make an animated firework, you can create 3 or 4 different costumes for a firework Sprite. By timing when the costumes change, you can make a cool display.
Start by making a new Sprite, and designing your first costume.
Designing your animation needs trial and error. Combine switch costume blocks and movement blocks to get the effect you want.
Once you have designed your animation, you can 'set off' the firework with your micro:bit!
For example:
Get creative and add different features to your display. Some ideas...
when pin connected block.