Mr Vullo – Alternative Education

The Air:bit 2 Programmable Micro:bit DIY Drone Kit

Introduction

The convergence of robotics, engineering, and programming has ushered in a new era of hands-on learning, and at the forefront of this movement is the Air:bit 2 DIY drone kit from MakeKit. Specifically engineered for compatibility with the popular BBC Micro:bit, this kit transforms the pocket-sized computer into a fully functioning, programmable quadcopter. It offers an unparalleled platform for pupils, educators, and hobbyists to master core STEM concepts by building, coding, and flying their own aerial vehicle.

Unlike pre-built drones, the Air:bit 2 requires assembly and coding from the ground up. This crucial hands-on approach encourages users to understand the principles of aerodynamics, motor control, and electronic connectivity. The project provides a rich, multi-disciplinary learning experience: you learn mechanical engineering whilst assembling the frame, electronics whilst wiring the components, and computer science whilst writing the flight control code using the Micro:bit’s block-based or Python editors.

The latest iteration, Air:bit 2, refines the design with improved durability and optimised flight performance, solidifying its position as one of the best tools for teaching drone programming in an educational setting. This article will provide a comprehensive breakdown of the kit’s components, explore the revolutionary programming capabilities enabled by the Micro:bit, and detail the immense educational value derived from constructing and piloting this unique DIY drone.

Watch the Full Air:bit 2 Unboxing and First Look Video Tutorial

Comprehensive Component Breakdown: What Makes the Air:bit 2 Fly?

The core of the Air:bit 2 kit is a carefully selected collection of components that balance robustness with lightweight design, ensuring safe and effective indoor flight. The quality and design of these parts are paramount to the learning process, as they teach students about real-world drone architecture.

The Air:bit Controller Board and Essential Electronics

The centrepiece is the custom-designed Air:bit controller board (often called the flight shield). This board is the vital link between the Micro:bit and the drone’s functional hardware. It performs several critical roles:

  • Motor Control: It houses the ESC (Electronic Speed Controllers) circuitry necessary to precisely manage the speed and direction of the four coreless motors.
  • Power Distribution: It safely manages the power drawn from the LiPo battery and distributes it to the motors and the attached Micro:bit.
  • Connectivity: It features a dedicated slot for the BBC Micro:bit to plug directly into the shield. This connection grants the drone access to the Micro:bit’s accelerometer, compass, radio module, and all its programmable input/output pins.

The kit is specifically designed to leverage the Micro:bit’s built-in sensors, which are essential for stability and auto-levelling during flight. The Micro:bit’s internal accelerometer provides crucial data on tilt and orientation, allowing the programmed code to constantly adjust motor speeds to maintain a steady hover.

Frame, Motors, and Propeller Protection

The mechanical parts are optimised for an educational environment, emphasising safety and ease of repair:

  1. Lightweight Frame: Typically constructed from durable yet flexible plastic or foam material, the frame is designed to withstand minor crashes, a common occurrence when learning to pilot a DIY quadcopter.
  2. Coreless Motors: Four high-speed coreless motors provide the thrust. They are small, efficient, and provide the necessary responsiveness for fine-tuned flight control.
  3. Propeller Guards: Integral to the design are the propeller guards, which dramatically increase safety for the pilot and prevent damage to the delicate propellers and surrounding environment during inevitable bumps.
  4. Battery and Charger: A high-capacity Lithium Polymer (LiPo) battery is included, along with a specialised USB charger. Teaching safe LiPo battery handling is an important part of the Air:bit experience.

Coding the Skies: Programming with Micro:bit and MakeCode

What truly sets the Air:bit 2 apart is its programmability. By using the familiar and accessible BBC Micro:bit platform, MakeKit has democratised drone technology development, allowing novices to fully customise their flight code rather than relying on factory firmware. This is where the magic of STEM education truly happens.

Block-Based Coding for Beginners (Microsoft MakeCode)

For those new to programming, the drone is easily coded using the Microsoft MakeCode Editor. MakeKit provides a dedicated extension library for Air:bit that integrates seamlessly into the block environment. This approach allows pupils to:

  • Visually Define Flight Routines: Drag and drop blocks to define movement commands, such as “Take Off,” “Move Forward (1 second),” or “Land.”
  • Utilise Radio Control: Code two separate Micro:bits—one as the drone’s brain (Receiver) and one as a custom handheld controller (Transmitter) using the Micro:bit’s built-in radio feature.
  • Experiment with Sensors: Write code that reacts to the drone’s environment, such as programming the drone to hover when the Micro:bit’s tilt sensor detects a perfect level.

This block-based coding environment removes the syntactic barriers often faced by new coders, allowing them to focus purely on logic and algorithmic thinking—essential skills for any engineer.

Advanced Drone Programming with Python

As pupils progress, they can transition to text-based coding using MicroPython. This environment provides access to the low-level functions of the Air:bit 2, enabling the creation of advanced features such as:

  • PID Controllers: Implementing proportional–integral–derivative controllers for highly stable and autonomous flight.
  • Telemetry Logging: Writing code to log sensor data (acceleration, magnetic field strength) to analyse flight performance and make data-driven improvements.
  • Autonomous Flight Paths: Programming the drone to follow pre-determined flight paths or waypoints without constant manual input from the remote control.

The ability to scale from simple block code to sophisticated Python algorithms ensures the Air:bit 2 remains a valuable learning tool throughout multiple years of a pupil’s educational journey.

Educational Value and Curriculum Integration: STEM through Flight

The Air:bit 2 DIY drone kit is more than a toy; it is a profound educational asset that touches upon several core disciplines essential for future technological literacy. Educators value the kit because it presents abstract concepts in a tangible, exciting way that captures pupil imagination.

Integrating Core STEM Principles

The process of building and programming the drone naturally introduces pupils to practical applications of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics:

  1. Physics and Aerodynamics (Science): Understanding lift, thrust, gravity, and drag; learning how propeller pitch and motor RPM affect flight stability.
  2. Electronic Circuits (Technology and Engineering): Assembling the Air:bit shield, understanding how the battery voltage is regulated, and recognising the role of ESCs in controlling brushless motors.
  3. Algorithmic Thinking (Coding): Developing control loops, debugging code when the drone doesn’t fly correctly, and understanding how sensor data is converted into motor commands.
  4. Data Analysis and Measurement (Mathematics): Calibrating the compass, analysing acceleration data to diagnose performance issues, and calculating battery life and flight time.

The immediate, visible consequences of coding errors—a drone that crashes or fails to take off—provide instant feedback, which is arguably the most effective form of debugging and problem-solving instruction available.

Conclusion: Taking Off with the Ultimate DIY Drone Kit

The Air:bit 2 programmable micro:bit DIY drone kit is an outstanding piece of educational technology. It brilliantly utilises the versatility of the BBC Micro:bit to deliver a rich, multi-layered learning experience that culminates in the rewarding achievement of building and flying a device you coded yourself. For any institution or individual looking to introduce pupils to the exciting world of drone technology, robotics, and embedded systems, the Air:bit 2 offers a safe, structured, and highly engaging path.

By providing a hands-on construction project combined with a scalable programming platform (from MakeCode blocks to Python scripts), MakeKit ensures that this kit remains challenging and relevant across a wide range of skill levels. It prepares learners not just for coding tests, but for the complex, interdisciplinary challenges of real-world engineering.

If you’re ready to teach or learn the fundamental principles of flight and coding, the Air:bit 2 is the essential tool. Don’t forget to like and subscribe to the original video creator’s channel and hit the notification bell for more in-depth reviewsof educational robotics and technology!