Thermometer

Step 1: Make it

What is it?

Show how hot or cold your micro:bit is using the built-in temperature sensor.

How it works

• This program shows how hot or cold your micro:bit is by taking a reading from the temperature sensor in its processor or CPU (central processing unit).
• The processor’s temperature is a fairly good approximation of the temperature around you in °C (Celsius).
• In this program, when you press input button A, the micro:bit displays the processor’s current temperature on its LED display output.
• Take the micro:bit into warmer and colder places and see how the temperature readings change.

What you need

• micro:bit (or MakeCode simulator)
• MakeCode or Python editor
• battery pack (optional)
• a source of heat or cooling, like a fan, if you want to see the temperature change quickly (optional)

Step 2: Code it

1from microbit import *
2
3while True:
4    if button_a.was_pressed():
5        display.scroll(temperature())
6

Step 3: Improve it

• Compare the reading with another thermometer. How accurate is the micro:bit? Do you need to modify the micro:bit reading to get the air temperature?
• Convert the temperature to Fahrenheit or Kelvin.
• Use radio to make a remote sensor sending temperature readings to another micro:bit, for example from outside to inside. You could make an indoor / outdoor thermometer this way.