Part 4: Problem Solving & Prototyping
The Big Challenge-Identify and Solve a Real Problem
Today, you will brainstorm, plan, and start building your own AI-powered micro:bit invention. Think about problems in your daily life, at school, in your community, or in the world that could be solved using movement detection and AI.
STEP 1 (Brainstorm) 30 minutes: Begin by brainstorming ideas and answering these questions in your notebook or on a planning sheet. What activities or problems involve movement? Who could benefit from tracking or detecting certain movements? How could movement recognition make something easier, safer, or more fun? If you need inspiration, consider these starting points: accessibility (help someone with limited mobility communicate), safety (detect falls or dangerous movements), sports (improve technique or track performance), health (monitor posture or remind people to move), environment (detect when animals or people enter protected areas), education (make learning more interactive), and daily life (automate something based on movement).
STEP 2 (Plan Your Prototype) 30 minutes: Choose your best idea and write a simple plan. State what problem you are solving and who will use your invention. Decide what movements you will train the AI to recognize and what the micro:bit will do when it recognizes each movement. Also list any materials you need and whether this is just the micro:bit by itself or if you plan to attach it to something like a wristband, backpack strap, shoe, or object.
STEP 3 (Start Building) 60 minutes: Start building your prototype by training your AI model with the movements you chose. Collect at least ten samples for each action and test your model carefully, retraining if it is not accurate yet. Once your model works, switch to MakeCode and begin coding what the micro:bit should do for each recognized movement. Test often, refine your code, and improve the training data if needed. Your goal today is to create a working prototype that demonstrates your core idea, even if it is rough. Tomorrow you will polish and improve it.