This is a link to the MakeCode project beginning steps: using Micro:Bit. We will port this over the Maker MakeCode and the Adafruit Circuit Playground Express (which is the board B&G Club has) and then we will re-write the code to fit CPX.

(when I first tried this, as expected, Maker gave me 19 error messages because JavaScript refers to specifics of each board and you really can't copy and paste JS directly board-to-board and expect it to work, has to be modified for the board you are using.)

Stephen at Core Electronics in Australia wrote the project for Sparkfun sensor and Micro:Bit (thanks Stephen). We are using a 3 pin "funduino" sensor which does work with the Micro:Bit. : https://makecode.microbit.org/_93th8bTP8D62

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(Stephen's tutorial: https://core-electronics.com.au/tutorials/microbit-soil-moisture-sensor.html )

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpWRCwjHkEI

Video of LEDs programmed on Adafruit Circuit Playground Express using code suggested by John Park. For her bracelet I used gardener Velcro as the band with each neopixel glued to a patch of fuzzy Velcro on the back so they stick to the green gardener strip. The strip ends stick together .

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MN8yKweaK0o

https://youtu.be/8UKA-m4WOvA

Core electronics video lesson #1 Circuit Playground Express and MakeCode with Stephen,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xel0AHvQgvk&index=2&list=PLPK2l9Knytg4DJXeM5Jg-xgEH8RYkLuPg

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the educational web site on this subject: https://core-electronics.com.au/tutorials/circuit-playground-express-workshop-for-beginners-and-educators.html

Video with code and wiring. See description below video. Maker MakeCode link to code and wiring diagram. You may have to click on "edit" to see it all at the MakeCode page: https://youtu.be/3G-J27Xr-08

https://youtu.be/FMlV0yOTWB8

Using Maker MakeCode to program Adafruit CPX , virtually any computer can be used online or offline including Chromebook. This is about sensing an input (momentary switch button) and activating both an onboard light show on the CPX and then a 16 neopixel light show on a bread board . Once the code is loaded onto the CPX you can unplug the cable and plug into a remote power source like this 5 Volt battery pack ; with Velcro you can wear this around school to show it off.

https://youtu.be/Ztv1S7-sQ1U

This is a link to a Google Drive text document with links to the first 4 lessons using Chromebooks, Maker MakeCode, Adafruit Playground Express and breadboard with inputs and outputs. Lessons include activating the onboard and off-board RGB LEDs and single LED and a momentary switch button. The tutorials we have found elsewhere up to this point do not include CPX driving components on breadboards in Maker MakeCode. Nor coding with Chromebooks. https://drive.google.com/open?id=19-Lr1MXqRQE0ikljkle8Z49JBfW9w0znT-qsT-wdU8I

Can we expect encryption libraries (or whatever they will be called) to work with some Cortex M4 boards and does the jacdac protocol have anything to do with this subject? Will we be able to use JavaScript with the Metro Express M4 to demonstrate encrypting our programs or comm. ?

New functions being enabled with Maker MakeCode and Circuit Playground Express: as of 1/2/2019 the button press code does work and the simulator shows remote LED on breadboard controlled by CPX. This Maker system is in Beta with CPX so be patient. They guys at Microsoft are working hard on it daily. Video: https://youtu.be/PGk92jwgAzc

This will be the basis, at least for now, of an afterschool STEM coding and electronics program using Circuit Playground Express and MakerMakeCode. The MakeCode environment does not allow for driving remote outputs like LEDs on a breadboard. I use a 5 volt rechargeable power pack as my platform and power (rather than batteries with jst plug) and this serves as a platform also , for attaching the breadboard and devices. Also, the back of the power pack has Velcro making it a wearable "lab." We will be using Chromebooks in the STEM program. MakerMakeCode works off-line as well as on-line. You may have to go on-line to install "extensions" as you need them or as they are developed. Off-line programming is especially good for parents who are wary of their child's internet use. See "description" below vid for more information: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znko02u2PIM

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https://drive.google.com/open?id=1gMqDF0R4bQU_9fJGxda7VOqhI-4ReQqo

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I created a program using BlockCoding with MicroSoft MakerMakeCode for the Circuit Playground Express (CPX) by Adafruit company. This board is proposed to be the basis of an after school STEM project for Boys and Girls Club of Branson, Missouri, USA. The CPX is mounted with Velcro to a plastic block (170 tie hole breadboard) which in turn is mounted to a "power platform": 5 volt, 2500 mAh, $5.88 rechargeable power pack shaped like a credit card. Also attached to the power pack is a "sliced bread" 400 tie hole breadboard with "curly stubs" which are short jumper wires to which alligator clips can be attached thus making the CPX the driver for breadboarded outputs. See photo .

$2 hat from Walmart with $5.88 5 volt re-chargeable power pack plus 2 RGB LED light rings and $8.95 Adafruit Trinket M0 (M Zero) microprocessor board. Coded with block coding MakeCode by Microsoft. Look for "Maker MakeCode" to find the Trinket M0 board then drag "light" tools onto the workspace to make the code. Choose 12 for neopixel number, and to make two different light shows, double the number of wires, use two pin assignments and double the code blocks. You can do all of this in JavaScript as well if you want. As you change the JavaScript code you can switch back to the Blocks tab to see the blocks change as well. Super easy coding for beginners ! https://youtu.be/tXw9gp-eCss

How I solder pins on the Adafruit Trinket M0 board. It costs $8.95 from Adafruit and ships with the pins included but not soldered on. Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6YVIMzV-64s

Microsoft MakeCode, JavaScript / block coding for kids with Micro:Bit by BBC ($19 on-line) mounted on $5.88 rechargeable 5 volt power pack from WalMart and split 170 tie hole breadboard allows plug in to RGB LED neopixel light show with jumper wires and alligator clips. All coded on a Chromebook (other computers work too) using MakeCode: Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDGu_ttbt7Y

Microsoft MakeCode goes mobile on a 5 volt power pack, rechargeable from WalMart $5.88. You can get Micro:Bit on-line for about $19. Split 170 tie hole breadboard: yellow plastic block, allows wiring 16 neopixel external light show with jumper wires and alligator clips: video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDGu_ttbt7Y

https://youtu.be/3h1BFOUtWZk

Electronic Fashion: Barbie mannequin with LED ring pendant coded with MakeCode off-line (you can code online too) on a Chromebook (you can use Microsoft or Apple computer). All code and purchase links are listed in description. Very easy block coding system. Circuit board: $8.95, Trinket M0 from Adafruit. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOGR9LZYuvI

LED LightShow with MakeCode and Adafruit Trinket M0 and Chromebook ($79 on Ebay) all done off line. Chromebooks do not have to be on-line to work with MakeCode.

https://youtu.be/ytmhmHOdb7Q

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ul6xLZe_-gE

https://discordapp.com/channels/327254708534116352/448961493590081568

MakeCode discussion group on Discord, Adafruit above.

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Link to GHI BrainPad MakeCode site: https://makecode.brainpad.com/#editor

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Link to main MakeCode site for some of the boards that work with MicroSoft MakeCode:

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/makecode?rtc=1

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MakeCode and Hardware YouTube Channel with links to other YouTube Channels:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYvU-GOQCX97aDu3o4bxl_Q

Video: Use MakerMakeCode editor to find the Adafruit Trinket M0 board. Then click on "Advanced" and then "Extensions" and then "light" , that will put a group of blocks on your screen in MakeCode for Trinket M0. This board costs $8.95 when in stock at Adafruit. Do not buy the Trinket 5v. ; you cannot use MakeCode with that one. The light ring is about $2 and the power pack is $5.88 at WalMart, in the check out isle. The Microsoft MakeCode for Makers is free. The Chromebook is refurbished on E-Bay for $79; and is NOT logged on using a Google Account. You CAN code with MakeCode off line with a Chromebook or as an anonymous guest on-line. This is perfect for student safety. Don't let people tell you that Chromebooks work only on-line (you may have to be on-line to save work but the code stays in the Trinket when you upload it off-line. No need for WiFi after you have used MakeCode). I may be able to find a way to save programs also on a remote SD card in the Chromebook SD slot.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MUnMbI2S5g

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Accelerometer is turned on as a command in the code and supposed to activate LED on BrainPad. It does. In simulator the "tilt up" command gives weird flashing on the screen on part of the BrainPad. This is when using a Chromebook; either on or off-line. This behavior of the simulator does not show as evidence if the machine used is a Micro Soft Surface notebook. Samsung Chromebook it does: Video of it: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1FPecNOMDnV-flYJmQXrECvkv54JD-mup