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Variables

Introduction to variables

If you’re teaching variables, the micro:bit is a great addition to support students’ understanding of the concept.

The projects below can be used to introduce variables and explore how the data generated by the micro:bit’s input devices, plus randomly generated data, can be used in a range of programs.

The projects are split into different ability levels so you can find the projects to suit your students: Getting started, Next steps and Aiming further - for more confident users.

Using the micro:bit to teach the concept

When using the micro:bit to develop an understanding of variables, students can make use of the micro:bit’s inbuilt sensors as a way to generate data that can be recalled, changed and used.

Students may have already used the sensors to record changes in the environment and used these changes to trigger events through selection. Through these projects, they will identify that the data recorded by the micro:bit’s sensors are examples of variables and learn that these can be recalled, changed and used.

Developing student skills

Using the micro:bit to support students’ learning of variables allows for an abstract concept to be presented through purposeful real-world contexts.

Providing students with the opportunity to use a micro:bit which is running a variable based program can help introduce this concept in a tangible way.

The range of projects below provide lots of opportunities for students to program with variables. As the projects use real-world scenarios and relatable contexts, students’ learning can be supported through unplugged activities in which algorithms and programs can be planned out to support understanding.

The projects allow students to secure, transfer and apply their conceptual understanding of variables. When this knowledge is secured, students can apply it in a range of scenarios that make use of the range of inputs and outputs to create interesting and unique uses for the micro:bit.

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What students will learn

This set of micro:bit projects for teaching and learning variables supports students’ understanding of the following concepts.

Concepts covered

Programming: Debugging, Sequence, Loops / repetition, Variables, Selection, Logic

Computational thinking: Algorithms, Abstraction, Decomposition, Pattern recognition

Computer systems: Control, Inputs and outputs.

UK curriculum links

Find out the primary curriculum links for this set of micro:bit projects.

National Curriculum in England

Computing

Curriculum aims

  • can understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science, including abstraction, logic, algorithms and data representation
  • can analyse problems in computational terms, and have repeated practical experience of writing computer programs in order to solve such problems
  • can evaluate and apply information technology, including new or unfamiliar technologies, analytically to solve problems

Students should be taught to:

  • design, write and debug programs that accomplish specific goals, including controlling or simulating physical systems;
  • solve problems by decomposing them into smaller parts
  • use sequence, selection, and repetition in programs; work with variables and various forms of input and output
  • use logical reasoning to explain how some simple algorithms work and to detect and correct errors in algorithms and programs

Science

Students should be taught to:

  • recognise the impact of diet, exercise, drugs and lifestyle on the way their bodies function.

Design & technology

Students should be taught to:

  • apply their understanding of computing to program, monitor and control their product

Scottish Curriculum for Excellence

Technologies, computing science:

  • I can explore and comment on processes in the world around me making use of core computational thinking concepts and can organise information in a logical way (TCH 1-13a)
  • I understand the instructions of a visual programming language and can predict the outcome of a program written using the language (TCH 1-14a)
  • I can demonstrate a range of basic problem-solving skills by building simple programs to carry out a given task, using an appropriate language (TCH 1-15a)
  • I understand the operation of a process and its outcome. I can structure related items of information. (TCH 2-13a)
  • I can explain core programming language concepts in appropriate technical language (TCH 2-14a)
  • I can create, develop and evaluate computing solutions in response to a design challenge (TCH 2-15a)

Health and wellbeing, physical activity and health:

  • I am aware of the role physical activity plays in keeping me healthy and know that I also need to sleep and rest, to look after my body (HWB 1-27a)
  • I can explain why I need to be active on a daily basis to maintain good health and try to achieve a good balance of sleep, rest and physical activity (HWB 2-27a)

Northern Ireland Curriculum

Primary, using ICT across the curriculum:

  • explore - investigate, make predictions and solve problems through interaction with digital tools
  • evaluate - talk about, review and make improvements to work, reflecting on the process and outcome

Curriculum for Wales

Science and technology, computation is the foundation of our digital world:

Progression step 2:

  • I can safely use a range of tools, materials and equipment to construct for a variety of reasons.
  • I can use computational thinking techniques, through unplugged or offline activities.
  • I can create simple algorithms and am beginning to explain errors.
  • I can follow algorithms to determine their purpose and predict outcomes.
  • I can follow instructions to build and control a physical device.

Progression step 3:

  • I can use conditional statements to add control and decision-making to algorithms.
  • I can identify repeating patterns and use loops to make my algorithms more concise.
  • I can explain and debug algorithms.
  • I can use sensors and actuators in systems that gather and process data about the systems’ environment.

Getting started projects

If you're just getting started with micro:bit, these projects are perfect for teaching variables.

Dice

In this project, pupils learn that variables are pieces of data in a computer program that can be stored, changed, or used.

micro:bit being shaken showing the number six on the LED display

What students will learn

They will generate a random number and consider the need to set a minimum and maximum value based on the context of a micro:bit be used as a dice. They will also learn that one way to use variables is to display them and how this can be done using the micro:bit’s LEDs.

Dice project page
Open in MakeCode

Counter

In this program, pupils use several inputs with a variable to use the micro:bit as a tool for recording data.

micro:bit showing the numbers one, two and three in succession on the LED display

What students will learn

The pupils will identify how a variable be used as a counter, considering how the data will be stored, changed and used, and how the micro:bit’s inputs can be used to trigger such actions. They will create and name a new variable and program how the buttons can be used to increase the value of the variable, display the value and reset the value when another count is being undertaken.

This simple, interactive and non-prescriptive context means it can fit in with other curriculum areas (counting shapes, birds, star-jumps, etc.) and lends itself to unplugged activities where pupils can act out the role of counter to identify how the variable will be used.

Counter project page
Open in MakeCode

Next steps projects

For teachers feeling confident teaching with micro:bit, these projects are a great way to introduce variables to students.

Graphical dice

This project also uses the micro:bit as a dice. On this occasion, its LEDs are used to display the dots of a dice face.

micro:bit being shaken showing 5 dots on its LED display

What will students learn

This project is an excellent step on from the dice project in the ‘getting started’ section as this program uses the same input and a randomly generated value. Pupils will now have to consider the image that is going to be displayed when a specific value is returned and to use the LEDs to do this. In doing so, they will be introduced to how the value of a variable can be used as a condition when making use of selection.

They will also use selection statements with multiple else ifs to ensure that each number can be represented. Finally, they will consider why this program does not need to use repetition when using selection appreciating that sensors are not being used as an input.

Graphical dice project page
Open in MakeCode

Activity picker

This project also uses a variable that has its value changed when a number is randomly generated similar to the graphical dice program. However, this project allows pupils to adapt the project to fit in with their interests and hobbies.

a micro:bit showing the number one on its LED display with drawn arrows pointing to different icons representing different activities

What will students learn

They are given the scenario of using the micro:bit as a tool for deciding which activity to do. If they have already completed the graphical dice project, pupils can transfer their knowledge of using a randomly generated number as part of selection. Otherwise, pupils’ understanding can be supported by creating a list of six activities to do as a classroom treat and assigning each activity a number (1-6). Then roll a dice to select one of the activities.

With the understanding of what they are going to use the micro:bit to do, pupils can explore how they will generate a random value, use this value to select the activity and display the activity that has been chosen. While the scenario of this project is as an activity selector, it can easily be changed to fit in with pupils’ learning in other curricular areas. Other examples include a times table question generator, a spelling test, historical date check, defining key vocabulary.

Activity picker project page
Open in MakeCode

Aiming further projects

If you are confident using micro:bit in the classroom, these projects are suitable for teaching variables to students with some micro:bit experience.

Touch timer

In this project, pupils will use the micro:bit’s touch logo sensor as an input to stop and start a timer.

a drawn clockface next to a micro:bit showing the number seven on its LED display as the gold logo is being touched

What will students learn

This sensor is operated differently from the micro:bit’s button as it senses when the logo is touched and when it is released. In the program, pupils will use both of these inputs to start and stop a timer respectively. They will make use of data called running time which records how long the program has been running in milliseconds. Pupils will consider how this data needs to be used in a calculation to work out the time that the logo was pressed for and how variables can be used to record and display this.

In constructing this program, pupils will use two variables and the operation blocks to use these values in calculations include converting milliseconds to seconds. While this program requires only a few blocks to create, pupils will be required to plan out the variables they will need and how they will use these to achieve the purpose of the task.

Touch timer project page
Open in MakeCode

micro:bit pet

This project provides a captivating way for pupils to consolidate their use of variables by programming the micro:bit to act as a digital pet.

a micro:bit showing an asleep face on its LED display next to an electronic virtual pet toy

What will students learn

The program can be used to allow pupils to apply their understanding of variables by using a micro:bit that is running the program. In doing this, they can identify the inputs and outputs that are used in the program. They can also formulate ideas about how a variable is being used in the program, how the value might be changed, how it is used to trigger certain outputs and test these ideas out.

Presenting pupils with the code used will allow them to use their understanding to predict what will happen when the program is run and then use this as a scaffold when programming the micro:bit to be their own digital pet.

micro:bit pet project page
Open in MakeCode

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