Kitronik Arcade for micro:bit – Class pack

Develop coding skills in the classroom/code club with the Kitronik ARCADE for BBC micro:bit Class Pack. A fun, engaging, and hands-on way to learn to code!

Kitronik ARCADE for BBC micro:bit and MakeCode Arcade offers the perfect platform for teaching in an engaging way. Included with the class pack are; 10 Kitronik ARCADE for BBC micro:bit gamepads, 10 USB noodle cables, a pack of 40 batteries, and is packaged in a durable and reusable Gratnells lidded tray. Each Arcade gamer comes pre fitted with a laser cut protective case to protect the gamer from the rigours of day-to-day use in the classroom. Additionally, there are 10 x drawstring microfibre soft cases to for protection against abrasion and scratches in storage. This pack is not supplied with micro:bits, the BBC micro:bit can be obtained separately here.

The Kitronik ARCADE for BBC micro:bit and MakeCode Arcade is a handheld gaming platform designed specifically for use with the BBC micro:bit and the MakeCode Arcade editor, either write your own games and run them on Arcade or download existing games. The MakeCode Arcade editor is a great way to learn to code games. It features simple snap-together blocks that allow the user to build simple games within minutes. The editor has been designed to allow everyone, from beginners to experienced game enthusiasts, to create games to run in the browser or on handheld consoles. It consists of drag-and-drop blocks that snap together to form programs. You can also write your code in Javascript and Python!

The board features 4 directional d-pad buttons, 2 interactive action buttons for coding, a menu button and a full colour 1.77” screen. At the bottom of the BBC micro:bit Arcade are 5 croc-clippable pads for connecting additional switches and devices. These consist of the 3 BBC micro:bit pins (P0, P1 and P2) also a voltage pin and a ground (the same connections as the large pads on the BBC micro:bit. This allows for custom additions to the gamer. Sound is provided via the in-built sounder on the BBC micro:bit.

To help you get off to a flying start, we have created a Datasheet, which also doubles as a quick start guide. It comprises; a product brief, usage information, labelled and dimensioned drawings, and an introduction to coding with the MakeCode Arcade editor. We have also written a resource demonstrating how to use the micro:bits Edge connector IO under MakeCode Arcade.

The emphasis for MakeCode Arcade is Learning/Education and there are a wealth of resources available on the MakeCode Arcade website to facilitate this. There are; guided tutorials that walk you through creating simple games, more complex games that you can open and learn from, games written by community members that you can learn from, game concepts tutorials, tutorials that explore graphics and Maths, lesson plans, CS courses, printable coding cards for the classroom, video tutorials, and much more!

Note:

• This pack is not supplied with micro:bits, the BBC micro:bit can be obtained separately here.

Features:

• This pack has been developed for use in the classroom/code-club as a hands on and fun way to teach coding. Each class pack contains; 10 x Arcade gamers, 10 x USB leads, and 1 x 40pk of batteries.
• Each gamer is supplied with a pre-fitted protective laser cut case.
• The Kitronik ARCADE for micro:bit is a feature-packed handheld gamepad for use with BBC micro:bit V2 and the Microsoft Arcade editor.
• Write your own games to play or freely download games from the MakeCode Arcade website.
• Use the wealth of educational material available to create a game from the ground up or tweak existing code and learn the open-source way.
• It features a full-colour LCD 1.77” screen.
• It also features; 6 gamer input buttons, a menu button, on/off switch.
• The ARCADE breaks out the 0, 1, 2, 3V, GND pins from the micro:bit edge connector to croc-clippable pads below the screen.
• The ARCADE is powered by 3xAA batteries (Not supplied, available separately here).
• These class packs are packaged in a durable and reusable Gratnells lidded tray, so that the kits can be stored safely and tidily when not in use.

Contents:

• 10 x Kitronik ARCADE for micro:bit and MakeCode Arcade.
• 10 x 1m USB Type-A to Micro-B USB Noodle Cable.
• 1 x Pro-Elec Alkaline AA 40pk.
• 1 x Gratnells Clip-on Lid for F Range.
• 1 x Gratnells Storage Tray F1 Shallow Tray – Green.
• 10 x Drawstring MicroFibre protective soft cases.
• 10 x pre-fitted laser cut protective cases.

Requires:

• 10 x BBC micro:bit.
• Microsoft MakeCode Arcade Editor.

Resources:

• Datasheet.
• Guide – Using the edge connector with MakeCode Arcade.
• Hour of code Educators Guide & Teacher Resources.
• Access countless hours of tutorials, lesson plans and more at the MakeCode Arcade website.

Documents & Downloads