Step 1: Make it

What is it?

A simple project to help you count... skips, jumps, birds you see out of your window - anything!

These two videos show you what you'll make and how to code it:

How it works

• This program uses a variable called 'count' to keep track of the number you're counting.
• It sets the variable to 0 at the start.
• Every time you press button B, it increases the count variable by 1 and shows it on the LED display.
• Numbers over 9 won't stay on the display, so pressing button A shows the number.
• You can reset the counter by pressing buttons A and B together.

What you need

• micro:bit (or MakeCode simulator)
• MakeCode editor
• battery pack (optional)

Step 2: Code it

1from microbit import *
2
3count = 0
4display.show(count)
5
6while True:
7    if button_a.is_pressed() and button_b.is_pressed():
8        count = 0
9        display.scroll(count)
10    elif button_b.is_pressed():
11        count += 1
12        display.scroll(count)
13    elif button_a.is_pressed():
14        display.scroll(count)
15    sleep(100)

Step 3: Improve it

• Find another way of resetting the counter, for example by shaking the micro:bit.
• Showing the number graphically - use a bar chart or dots.
• Show a heart or another picture when you reach a certain number - it could be your target for star-jumps or another activity.
• Use radio to send the count number to another micro:bit acting as a remote display.