MicroBit-Simulator for LiaScript: Teach MicroPython Without a Physical Device

The BBC micro:bit is one of the most popular physical computing boards in schools worldwide. With the MicroBit-Simulator template, you can bring it directly into your LiaScript course — no hardware, no installation, no classroom set of devices needed.

Students see a fully interactive micro:bit simulator in the browser, press its buttons, read sensor values, and run real MicroPython code. All they need is a URL.

What is the MicroBit-Simulator?

The template embeds the python-simulator.usermbit.org micro:bit emulator into a LiaScript code block. When a learner clicks Run, their MicroPython code is flashed onto the simulated device and executes immediately.

The simulator faithfully reproduces the micro:bit’s hardware interfaces:

• LED display (5×5 grid, scrolling text, pixel access)
• Buttons A and B
• Accelerometer, compass, temperature sensor
• Microphone and speaker (sound playback, sound effects)
• Radio communication
• Data logging
• MicroPython music and speech modules

Two macros are available: one for the bare simulator, one with an additional sensor control panel.

Quick Start

Add this to your course header:

<!--
import: https://raw.githubusercontent.com/liaTemplates/MicroBit-Simulator/main/README.md
persistent: true
-->

Why persistent: true? Without it, LiaScript destroys and recreates slide content when navigating between sections. Setting persistent: true keeps the simulator running while you browse the course.

Both macros are now available anywhere in your document.

Basic Simulator: @microbit

Attach @microbit below any MicroPython code block to embed the simulator. The learner activates it on first use, then interacts with the virtual device.

``` python
from microbit import *

while True:
    if button_a.was_pressed():
        display.show('A')
    if button_b.was_pressed():
        display.show('B')
    sleep(100)
```
@microbit

Try it live — press the virtual buttons:

Sensor Panel: @microbit.withSensorUI

@microbit.withSensorUI adds an interactive sensor panel below the simulator. Learners can drag sliders and change dropdowns to simulate light levels, acceleration, temperature, microphone input, and more — and immediately see how their code responds.

``` python
from microbit import *

while True:
    level = display.read_light_level()
    print("Light:", level)
    if level < 50:
        display.show(Image.ASLEEP)
    else:
        display.show(Image.HAPPY)
    sleep(500)
```
@microbit.withSensorUI

Try it live — adjust the light sensor slider and watch the display react:

Music and Audio

The MicroPython music module is fully supported — the simulator plays tones through the browser’s audio system:

``` python
import music

music.play(['c4:4', 'e4:4', 'g4:4', 'c5:8'])
```
@microbit

Full Template Demo

The complete README is a self-documenting LiaScript course with all examples — buttons, sensors, audio, display, compass, radio, data logging, and more:

Use Cases

Physical computing and TVET — Teach embedded programming concepts without a budget for hardware. Classes in schools, vocational training centres, or makerspaces can run the entire course in a browser.

Flipped classroom preparation — Give students a simulator to experiment with before they arrive at the lab with physical devices. They arrive already familiar with the API.

Remote and online education — Students at home follow the same exercises as in-class students. No shipping, no lost devices, no “my micro:bit is broken” situations.

Introductory MicroPython — The BBC micro:bit’s Python API is a well-designed teaching tool. With the simulator, you can introduce loops, conditionals, functions, and events through direct hardware interaction.

Sensor data and data literacy — The @microbit.withSensorUI macro makes it easy to explore how sensor values drive program logic — ideal for cross-curricular science and computing lessons.

Technical Facts

Try It

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