Game Microbit

Beginner

60 mins

Teacher/Student led

+145 XP

What you need:
Chromebook/Laptop/PC
Microbit

Microbit Magic 8 Ball

Embark on a fun journey to create your own digital Magic 8 Ball using Microbit. You'll start by creating a new project, then program your Microbit to display the number 8. You'll learn to detect a shake gesture, create a variable for random numbers, and assign different messages to each number. Finally, download your code, and enjoy your personalised Magic 8 Ball!

Warning: Your screen size is quite small for viewing this. Rotate your device into landscape mode if you can.

1 Create a new Microbit project
2 Show the number 8
3 Detect a shake
4 Create a variable called 'Random Number'
5 Check the value of the variable
6 Add the messages
7 More messages
8 Download the code to your Microbit and play
Challenge
Quiz

1 - Create a new Microbit project

Go to the makecode.microbit.org website and create a new project.

Microbit: How to create a new Microbit project

Go to the Makecode.com Microbit website using the link below and click on the 'New Project' button underneath the 'My Projects' heading.

https://makecode.microbit.org/

Install the micro:bit app on your iPad or tablet.

Open the app, tap 'Create code' and then create a new project.

👇 Mark your steps as done as you complete them.

+15 XP

2 - Show the number 8

When the Microbit is not being shaken we should show the number 8 (just like on a real magic 8 ball!).

basic.forever(function () {
    basic.showNumber(8)
})

👇 Mark your steps as done as you complete them.

+15 XP

3 - Detect a shake

Add the following block of code to detect when the Microbit is shaken.

input.onGesture(Gesture.Shake, function () {
	
})

+15 XP

4 - Create a variable called 'Random Number'

You're going to create a new variable called Random Number and set it to a random number (obviously!) between 0 and 4 when we shake the Microbit.

let Random_Number = 0
input.onGesture(Gesture.Shake, function () {
    Random_Number = randint(0, 4)
})

Each random number corresponds to a particular response from the magic 8 ball. This means we can have five responses if our variable is between 0 and 4.

Notice how we begin at 0 (not 1). In computer programming, we almost always start counting from 0.

Microbit: How to create a variable

In the Variables toolbox, create a new variable by clicking the 'Make a Variable' button.

Once you click this button a box will appear asking what you want to call your variable. Give it a name that reminds you what you will be using it for. For example, if you wanted to keep track of your score in a game, you would create a variable called 'score'.

+15 XP

123learn · Online learning platform

Unlock the full learning experience

You're previewing this lesson. Get full access to this lesson and hundreds more — each one ready to teach, with interactive activities, printable resources and pupil progress tracking built in.

Hundreds of curriculum-aligned lessons

Interactive activities in every lesson

Printable resources & progress tracking

Get started

Copyright Notice
This lesson is copyright of 123Learn.ie 2017 - 2026. Unauthorised use, copying or distribution is not allowed.

Microbit Magic 8 Ball

Teacher Class Feed

1 - Create a new Microbit project

Using the makecode website

Using the micro:bit app

2 - Show the number 8

3 - Detect a shake

4 - Create a variable called 'Random Number'

Unlock the full learning experience

XP