Could you cope without microcontrollers in your life?
In this lesson, we will take a look at some of the products in a house that you could not do without, and consider what life might be like without microcontrollers.
Could you cope without microcontrollers in your life?
In this lesson, we will take a look at some of the products in a house that you could not do without, and consider what life might be like without microcontrollers.
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Lesson details
Key learning points
- how to make use of microcontrollers in products they design and manufacture themselves
- how to apply computing and use electronics to embed intelligence in products that respond to inputs
- how materials can be cast in moulds
Equipment
Micro:bit, electronics resources (various)
Content guidance
- Equipment requiring safe usage.
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended.
Licence
This content is made available by Oak National Academy Limited and its partners and licensed under Oak’s terms & conditions (Collection 1), except where otherwise stated.
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4 Questions
Q1.
What is the following is a picture of?
Computer memory.
USB holders.
Q2.
A microprocessor is a ...
... single computer unit that contains a processor and memory.
... tiny device that is so small you can't see it with the naked eye.
Q3.
Do you think this central heating systems contains a microprocessor or a microcontroller?
Microprocessor.
No processor at all.
Q4.
Do you think this memory stick is for RAM or ROM?
Neither RAM or ROM.
ROM (Read only memory).
4 Questions
Q1.
A microcontroller is ...
... a tiny controller that controls microswitches.
... part of a complex system that needs external devices, such as memory and a hard drive, connected to it in order to function.
Q2.
How do you think your phone can control the heating in your home? (Image credit: Pixabay)
The internal thermostat on a phone connects to the heating systems.
When the phone is close to the heating system or thermostat a physical connection is made between the devices.
Q3.
Why are flowchart symbols used when a list of bullet points could be just as easy to read?
Flowchart symbols are so much more attractive to read and make the flowchart more aesthetically pleasing.
You can write more information inside the flowchart shapes than by using bullet points.
Q4.
What is the picture below a picture of?
A BBC LED display.
A BBC micro:bit microprocessor.
A crumble board.