In this activity, students will simulate communications between a base on the Moon and a base on Earth.
To do this, it will be divided into two Teams

• Engineers at the Earth base.
• Engineers at the base of the Moon.

 

Each team will use a micro:bit board and a different computer to program communications in blocks. Each micro:bit board (plate A and plate B) includes a short-range radio transmitter. The programming will be done on the free web platform MakeCode copying the instructions explained visually and simply in the guide to:

1. Set up a channel (group), which will be the same
2. Send messages ("radio send string") from the A board.
3. Receive them ("when receiving radio chain") on the B-board and display them on the LED array or with a buzzer.

During the activity, the group designs a minimum protocol (e.g. using keywords or icons) and checks the actual range of the signal in the classroom.

RECOMMENDED AGE: 10–12 years
LOMLOE COMPETENCIES:

• Competence in science, technology and engineering
• Digital competence
• Personal, social and learning to learn competence
• Entrepreneurial competence

DIDACTIC OBJECTIVES:

• Understand how two wireless devices communicate at short distances.
• Schedule sending and receiving strings and icons with micro:bit radio.
• Design a simple protocol and test its reliability.
• Encourage cooperative work and reflection on clear communication.

MATERIALS (per team):

• 2 x micro:bit boards (+ battery holders)
• 2 USB cables for charging/encoding
• Space in classroom or hallway to test range

INCLUSION:

• Rotating roles (programmer, sender, receiver, recorder).
• Messages also coded with icons for students with reading difficulties.