BBC Micro:bit & Cutebot Code Club Roadmap 2025/6
This roadmap outlines approximately 20 weeks of 30-minute sessions for a Year 5/6 coding club. By the end of the year, students will design and code a controller and race car using BBC Micro:bit, Cutebot, and MakeCode.
Learning Goals
By the end of the year, students will:
- Understand key programming concepts: variables, conditionals, loops, events.
- Use MakeCode to code Micro:bits and control Cutebots.
- Create a working wireless controller + race car.
- Test, debug, and refine their code.
Weekly Plan
| Week | Topic / Focus | Key Skills | Activity / Project |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introduction & Setup | MakeCode basics, inputs/outputs | Setup devices, simple “Hello World” on Micro:bit. |
| 2 | Buttons & Gestures | Input events (button press, shake) | Show icons or numbers based on buttons or shake. |
| 3 | Variables | Storing data, speed control | Press A/B to adjust and display speed. |
| 4 | Radio Basics | Wireless communication | Send “Hello” between two Micro:bits. |
| 4.5 | Christmas Special | Animation | Create a festive scene using whatever you want! |
| 5 | Conditionals | if / else, comparisons |
Change behavior if speed > threshold or input detected. |
| 6 | Loops | repeat, forever, loops with conditionals |
Blink LEDs, repeat motion patterns. |
| 7 | Motors, Lights, Sound | Cutebot motors, LEDs, buzzer | Move forward/back, turn, light up, make sound. |
| 8 | Sensors | Using sensors like light or ultrasonic | React to light or proximity sensor readings. |
| 9 | Controller & Receiver Messaging | Send strings/numbers | Send commands: forward, back, left, right. |
| 10 | Motors via Radio | Combine radio + movement | Car moves based on controller messages. |
| 11 | Speed & Steering | Variables + radio | Add speed levels and steering to controls. |
| 12 | Debugging & Functions | Bug fixing, modular code | Use custom blocks for cleaner code. |
| 13 | Timing & Sequences | pause, timed loops |
Create timed movement patterns. |
| 14 | Sensors + Movement | Sensor feedback | Obstacle avoidance or line following. |
| 15 | Full Prototype Build | Combine all features | Test controller + car on simple track. |
| 16 | Safety & Feedback | Fail-safes, LEDs, sounds | Car stops safely if no signal or invalid input. |
| 17 | Obstacle Course Challenge | Integration & application | Teams test their cars on a course. |
| 18 | Advanced Features | Extensions like tilt control | Optional features: gesture steering, lap counter. |
| 19 | Final Build & Refinement | Polish and debug | Final code and test runs. |
| 20 | Showcase & Reflection | Presentation skills | Race day + reflection on learning. |
Key Concepts Reinforced
- Events vs Sequential Code: Understanding event-driven programming (
on button pressed,on radio received). - Modular Code: Creating custom blocks in MakeCode to keep code organized.
- Debugging: Strategies for testing and fixing problems.
- Wireless Communication: Reliable sending/receiving with radio groups and messages.
- Iteration: Building, testing, and improving projects step-by-step.
Project Mapping
- Weeks 1-7: Learn basics of Micro:bit, Cutebot, and programming.
- Weeks 8-11: Build the wireless controller and communication system.
- Weeks 12-14: Add complexity like sensors, error handling, and custom features.
- Weeks 15-20: Focus on testing, polishing, and final showcase.
Resources
This roadmap is designed to be flexible — adjust pace and content based on student progress and interest.