New
New
Lesson 2 of 8
  • Year 9

Micro:bits in Tinkercad

I can combine inputs, processes and outputs with feedback in a control system.

Lesson 2 of 8
New
New
  • Year 9

Micro:bits in Tinkercad

I can combine inputs, processes and outputs with feedback in a control system.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Control systems use inputs such as switches and sensors.
  2. Control systems use processes such as microcontrollers.
  3. Control systems use outputs such as sound, light or movement.
  4. Control systems use feedback.

Keywords

  • Microcontroller - a device that can be programmed to control how an electrical product operates

  • Program - a sequence of instructions used to control electrical components.

  • Feedback - a signal that is sent back in a loop, depending upon a condition

Common misconception

External components must be used with microcontrollers to create control systems.

Microcontrollers have on board inputs and ouputs and connection points for additional external components.


To help you plan your year 9 design and technology lesson on: Micro:bits in Tinkercad, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Consider the context and design opportunity when creating a control system.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Student access to Tinkercad.

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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Prior knowledge starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What are the stages of a systems approach to designing?

Start
End
Correct answer: Input
Correct answer: Output
Correct answer: Process

Q2.
Which component is NOT an Input?

Slide switch
LDR
Correct answer: LED
Push button switch

Q3.
Which of these components are polarised?

Correct answer: LED
LDR
Resistor

Q4.
Virtually designs is a way of testing them without wasting material or components.

Correct Answer: simulating, simulation, simulate

Q5.
Which colour wire is associated with the negative connection in an electronic circuit?

Correct Answer: black

Q6.
Which component can you use to sense light levels?

Bulb
LED
Buzzer
Correct answer: Light Dependant Resistor
Push button switch

Assessment exit quiz

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4 Questions

Q1.
The micro:bit is a that can be programmed to control how an electrical product operates.

Correct Answer: microcontroller, micro controller, micro-controller

Q2.
To program a micro:bit in Tinkercad we use ...

Correct answer: code blocks.
typed text.
spoken words.
numbers.

Q3.
What is it called when a signal is sent back in a loop, depending upon a condition?

Correct answer: feedback
looping
returning
sharing

Q4.
Which code block is used when there is a decision which can be either true or false?

Correct answer: If
Else
Then
Start
Wait