07 Aug Decode the Universe: Space Signals with Micro:bit
Decode the Universe: Space Signals with Micro:bit
In celebration of National Science Week 2025
QSITE Gold Coast Chapter has kicked off National Science Week celebrations early this year with an exciting hands-on workshop: Decode the Universe: Space Signals with Micro:bit. Held at Pimpama Community Centre, this session was led by Dean Cobler and Christiana MacAskill from the QSITE Gold Coast Chapter.
The workshop gave a brief insight into a range of concepts worth exploring, including:
- Binary and digital communication
- Coding fundamentals in block and Python
- Signal transmission and decoding
- Real-world STEM applications linked to Space Science and this year’s National Science Week theme.
Slide from Workshop Presentation. Find resources at bottom of page.
Participants explored how digital technologies, like the BBC Micro:bit, can be used to understand and demonstrate how we send and receive messages across space. The session began with an introduction to binary code, with some resources to take directly into the classroom to help students grasp how data is represented in its simplest form. There may have been a sneaky clip from The Martian to show the concept too!
From there, participants brainstormed and formed a logic map of what functions their devices had to complete.
Example Logic Map made in Xmind
Next, it was time to jump into coding. Participants used both block-based coding and Python in the Microsoft MakeCode environment. There are many coding concepts to this activity to be explored including:
- input/outputs
- variables
- loops
- logic
Dean assisting with troubleshooting code
Christiana discussing reasoning behind code decisions.
Once participants completed their code, they teamed up to transmit and decode their binary space signals using the Mirco:bit devices. This brought the concept to life in a fun and hands-on way!
Lastly, the group reflected on how to apply these activities in the classroom, supporting this year’s National Science Week school theme: Decoding the Universe. It’s not too late to join in the coding fun for National Science Week next week!
A big thank you to everyone who joined us for this interactive learning experience. We would love to see and hear from you about your class’ experience this National Science Week, and any improvements or modifications you made!
Check out below for the Micro:bit simulator and resources.
Resources
Workshop PowerPoint:
- National Science Week Workshop – Decode the Universe with Microbit. Please check the notes section for extra info. Links for resources are also found at the end of the PowerPoint. Editable Canva link here.
Introduction to Binary Activity:
- Optional reading to embed literacy: How Computers See The World – BBC Bitesize.pdf
- Binary Chart: BinaryAlphabet.pdf
- Binary worksheet: Zeroes & Ones Binary code words worksheet.pdf. There are two versions on the one file(colour coded). Normal Binary and the “Shorthand”. This worksheet also has a Canva template that you can edit here.
- Binary “Shorthand”. This is a shorter, made-up version of binary for the activity if you want to make transmitting messages easier and faster: Binary Shorthand.pdf. Editable Canva template here.
- ascii.pdf
MakeCode Links:
Code for the two devices can be found at the links below. Check the PowerPoint notes section for any extra notes about the code.
Final Activity with the Micro:bit
- Binary Code Microbit Worksheet. Canva edit link is found here.
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