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Year 4

Microcontrollers

I can interact with the Tinkercad circuits workspace to create simple programs.

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New
New
Year 4

Microcontrollers

I can interact with the Tinkercad circuits workspace to create simple programs.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

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These resources were created for remote use during the pandemic and are not designed for classroom teaching.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Micro:bits are microcontrollers which can be programmed.
  2. Tinkercad circuits can be used to create programs for micro:bits.
  3. Tinkercad circuits can be used to simulate programs for micro:bits.
  4. Coding blocks can be used to create and simulate programs.

Keywords

  • LED - Light Emitting Diode

  • Tinkercad - an online computer aided design application

  • Workspace - area where objects are created and changed

  • Code editor - area where coding blocks are created and changed

  • Coding bocks - language used to write instructions to a computer

Common misconception

To test simple circuits, you need to create a physical representation of the circuits.

Like many CAD applications, Tinkercad can simulate circuit operation within the circuit workspace.


To help you plan your year 4 design and technology lesson on: Microcontrollers, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Using our additional materials teachers can set up the Tinkercad classroom in advance.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Laptops or chromebooks, Tinkercad classroom set up online.

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Why do we do traffic surveys?
to see how fast cars can go
Correct answer: to collect information about traffic flow
to count the number of pedestrians
to find out how many people like driving
Q2.
What does a data logger do?
Correct answer: Collects information electronically
Writes down information
Logs information on paper
Q3.
What is a micro:bit?
A large robot
A video game
Correct answer: A small computer
Q4.
What is one feature of a micro:bit?
It can play movies.
Correct answer: It has buttons you can press.
It can cook food.
It is only used for texting.
Q5.
Why do we annotate designs?
to hide the details of the design
to make the design difficult to understand
Correct answer: to provide more information
to make the design look better
Q6.
Match the key word to the definition:
Correct Answer:tally,a method to collect information

a method to collect information

Correct Answer:data logger,an electronic device that can collect information

an electronic device that can collect information

Correct Answer:annotations,notes added to diagrams

notes added to diagrams

Correct Answer:data,information such as numbers

information such as numbers

Exit quiz

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4 Questions

Q1.
What is Tinkercad?
Correct answer: an online computer aided design application
a type of computer used for drawing
a tool to write stories
Q2.
To use a micro:bit in Tinkercad we need to create a new:
3D design
Correct answer: Circuit
Codeblock
Q3.
What does LED stand for?
Light Emitting Display
Light Emitting Device
Correct answer: Light Emitting Diode
Q4.
Which coding block allows you to make your own designs light up?
show icon
Correct answer: show led
show number

Additional material

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