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Left-Right (Smart Compass & Neighborhood Map Navigator)

Source:

Navigate a neighborhood map grid (School, Hospital, Park, Home) using a handheld micro:bit digital compass. Turning the micro:bit points an LED arrow to Magnetic North and speaks directional navigation commands.

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Props & Materials Required

  • •Large neighborhood map mat with landmark symbols
  • •BBC micro:bit V2 controller (with built-in 3-axis magnetometer compass)
  • •Landmark NFC cards (School, Hospital, Bank, Post Office)
  • •DFPlayer Mini MP3 module + 3W speaker

Step-by-Step Instructions

1

Calibrate Digital Compass

Tilt the micro:bit in a circle to calibrate its magnetometer sensor.

2

Find Magnetic North

Hold the micro:bit flat. The 5x5 LED matrix displays an arrow pointing toward Magnetic North.

3

Pick Navigation Mission

Draw mission card: 'Navigate from Home to the Hospital'. Look at map symbols.

4

Follow Directional Prompts

Turn body North → Walk 3 steps North → Turn Right (East) → Walk 2 steps East to reach Hospital! Speaker confirms: 'Hospital reached!'

Why It Works & Notes

Left-Right and cardinal directions (North, South, East, West) form the foundation of map reading. Using a real digital compass (magnetometer) to navigate between map symbols connects physical directions with digital navigation.