Kitronik Smart Greenhouse Kit BBC micro:bit

Kitronik Smart Greenhouse Kit for BBC micro:bit

The Kitronik smart greenhouse kit for the BBC micro:bit is a fun way to learn about the interactions between plants and their environment. Users will discover how to monitor environmental conditions and then create automated systems that respond to them. Grow a crop of plants in this smart greenhouse that can be programmed to automatically monitor and hydrate them so they grow with precision. 

This kit is compatible with the micro:bit V1 and the new microbit V2, both sold separately.

A two-part plastic greenhouse, Kitronik environmental control board, water pump, Kitronik ZIP stick and Mini Prong soil moisture sensor are included in the kit. Five alligator clips, a ZIP extension cable and a tiny screwdriver are also included. Just combine a micro:bit, seeds and water to make everything you need!

The kit also includes detailed assembly and coding instructions to get you up and running quickly. There are also seven online MakeCode tutorials that increase in difficulty as you go through them. They cover everything from sensor data collection to automatic system response, graphical user interfaces and more. For an optimal learning experience, the user/student is advised to complete the lessons.

The Kitronik Environmental Control Board is at the heart of the micro:bit controlled Kitronik Smart Greenhouse Kit. This board has sensor inputs and connection ports for the BBC micro:bit (V1 and V2), as well as the ability to control the outputs of devices such as a water pump, fan, servo motor or heating pad. Therefore, it is suitable for feedback control systems such as the smart greenhouse kit.

• With the Kitronik greenhouse kit you can create automated growing systems that respond to changing environmental conditions.
• This kit works with both the micro:bit V1 and micro:bit V2.
• The kit includes complete assembly and coding instructions.
• At the heart of the kit is the kitronik environmental control board, which has been specially created to be the control centre of this kit.
• There are also seven online MakeCode lessons that guide you through all the features of the board.
• Crops such as watercress, sprouted white mustard and micro-herbs/micro-greens work well with this kit.
• Use the MakeCode editor and Kitronik custom code blocks for the environmental control board to create it.
• The kit can be powered by three AA batteries or a wall socket.

BBC Micro:bit Smart Greenhouse: content, resources and prerequisites

Contents :

• 2 x Moulded plastic greenhouse enclosure parts.
• 1 x Kitronik environmental control board for micro:bit.
• 1 x Water pump.
• 1 x Kitronik ZIP stick.
• 1 x Mini-pin humidity sensor.
• 5 x Alligator Cables.
• 1 x ZIP extension cable.
• 1 x Screwdriver.
• User Guide Booklet, containing installation and coding instructions.

Prerequisites :

• A web browser and an internet connection.
• One of the following items: BBC micro:bit V2 or BBC micro:bit starter pack V2.
• 3 AA batteries or a power supply.
• Seeds, for example watercress.
• Soil.

Resources :

• This example code. Monitors temperature, humidity, soil moisture, and makes use of the LEDs/ZIP LEDs. 
• Seven online MakeCode tutorials for the Kitronik Smart Greenhouse Kit;
  • A - Visual Thermometer.
  • B - ZIP LED hue.
  • C - Auto-watering.
  • D - Growlight.
  • E - Timed watering.
  • F - Water level sensing.
  • G - Datalogging.
• Adding a Solar Panel to the Environmental Control Board.
• Tech Talks - live stream playback.