Robotics & Control

Summary

Year 8 Design is one sustained course in physical computing. Students learn to program the BBC micro:bit — its LED grid, buttons, sensors and radio — then put that programming to work driving TPBot robot cars through escalating control challenges, closing with a robot they design, build and evaluate against a brief of their own.

Assessments

Units

01	MakingFirst contact with the micro:bit and MakeCode; design and build a micro:pet housing.
02	AlgorithmsInputs, outputs and event handlers; program faces and a fidget cube.
03	VariablesStoring and changing information; code a scorekeeper and build a counting object.
04	ConditionalsDecision-making with if…then…else; code Rock Paper Scissors, then a board game.
05	IterationRepeat, while and for loops with sound and motion; first micro-servo build.
06	Mini ProjectConsolidation: plan, track and showcase a short independent project.
07	CoordinatesThe 5×5 LED grid as a coordinate system; plot, animate, then make a game.
08	BooleansBoolean data and operators to control flow and track state; code a double coin flipper.
09	BinaryBits, bytes and base-2; build a working cardboard binary counter.
10	RadioSending data between boards — the foundation for radio-controlling a robot.
11	ArraysLists, indexing and sorting strategies; build an instrument that stores note sequences.
12	AccelerometerSensing movement along x, y and z; design a multi-tool that solves a problem.
13	Final ProjectAn extended independent build, documented throughout with a focus on metacognition.

Unit 13's student workbook is not yet available — the source file is corrupt. The slides, the video, and the online Final Project lesson cover the same ground.