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Creating with MakeCode is simple and easy

For most of the products MakeCode works with, all you need is a computer with an internet connection – there’s nothing to download or install. MakeCode is free and works across all platforms and browsers.

Pick one of the MakeCode supported products below and follow the steps to get started.

Explore the different products

Pick the product you want to work with. If you’re not sure, feel free to browse through a few to get an idea of what each of them can do – they all make learning computer science a lot of fun!
micro:bit Circuit Playground Express Minecraft LEGO MINDSTORMS Education EV3 Cue Chibi Chip Grove Zero

micro:bit

The micro:bit is a small programmable computer with an LED screen, two buttons, a light sensor, Bluetooth aerial, accelerometer, compass and more! From dancing robots to banana keyboards, your micro:bit has all the features you need to create amazing projects – the possibilities are endless!

1. Purchase a micro:bit

You can buy micro:bits for your classroom from the Micro:bit Education Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation that has a global reseller network.

Find resellers in your country

2. Use MakeCode online or as an app

If you have Windows 10 computers in your classroom, the MakeCode for micro:bit app makes downloading programs to the micro:bit easier, and includes support for serial data logging. If you don’t have a Windows 10 computer, use MakeCode online.

Install the MakeCode micro:bit app

Go to MakeCode online

3. Explore projects and curriculums

Browse the free Introduction to Computer Science curriculum, science experiments or any of the micro:bit student projects to get ideas for using the micro:bit in your classroom.

Explore projects and courses

Circuit Playground Express

The Circuit Playground Express provides a great introduction to electronics and programming. It has 10 multicolour NeoPixels, a motion sensor, temperature sensor, light sensor and a microphone and speaker, plus much more! Create a siren alarm, a watch timer or a magic wand with just a few blocks of code.

1. Purchase Circuit Playground Express

You can buy Circuit Playground Express kits with educator discounts from Adafruit or any of the Adafruit worldwide resellers.

Buy Circuit Playground Express

2. Use MakeCode online or as an app

If you have Windows 10 computers in your classroom, the MakeCode for Adafruit app makes downloading programs to the Circuit Playground Express easier and includes support for serial data logging. If you don’t have a Windows 10 computer, use the MakeCode online editor.

Install the MakeCode for Adafruit app

Go to MakeCode online 

3. Explore projects and curriculums

Browse through any of the MakeCode Circuit Playground Express projects or code samples to get inspiration for your classroom or makerspace.

Find Circuit Playground Express projects

Minecraft

Minecraft is a game about placing and breaking blocks, where the only limit is the player’s imagination. It’s also a creative platform for teaching and learning computer science – build a program to summon a storm of chickens or create your own mini-game for friends to play!

1. Purchase Minecraft

You can download and install Minecraft for Windows 10 from the Microsoft Store, or if you are a school you can purchase Minecraft: Education Edition for Windows 10 and macOS.

Get Minecraft: Education Edition

Install Minecraft for Windows 10

2. Install Code Connection

Download and install the free Code Connection app for Windows 10 or macOS

Install the Code Connection app

3. Connect MakeCode to Minecraft

Follow step-by-step instructions to connect MakeCode to Minecraft and start coding!

Connect MakeCode to Minecraft

4. Explore curriculums and resources

Use the Introduction to Computer Science curriculum or any of the MakeCode for Minecraft tutorials to introduce students to computational thinking with Minecraft.

Explore tutorials and courses

LEGO MINDSTORMS Education EV3

Technology and computer science come to life with LEGO MINDSTORMS Education EV3 which comes with different sensors and motors that can be programmed. Students can build robots that can navigate mazes, sort colours or act as a musical instrument!

1. Get LEGO MINDSTORMS Education EV3

Purchase the MINDSTORMS Education EV3 kit online from LEGO Education, which contains everything you need to get started teaching STEM, robotics and computer science.

Buy LEGO MINDSTORMS Education EV3

2. Update the EV3 firmware

Make sure you have the latest firmware installed for your LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 brick through the EV3 device manager tool.

Update your firmware

3. Use MakeCode online

Coding with MakeCode for MINDSTORMS Education EV3 is done entirely in a web browser, so students and teachers can create programs for their creations on any device or platform that has a USB port and an Internet connection. No software to download or install!

Use MakeCode online

4. Explore tutorials and projects

Check out tutorials, projects and code samples to get started using MakeCode for LEGO MINDSTORMS Education EV3. The tutorials provide step-by-step guidance on how to use each sensor or motor for the EV3, while the projects contain instructions on coding and building an end-to-end robotics solution.

Browse tutorials and projects

Cue

Cue is a clever robot with a witty attitude that’s full of interactive surprises. It also has emotive AI systems, IR sensors, a microphone and speaker, and programmable LED lights and buttons. Students can code Cue’s creative interactions using MakeCode’s Blocks or JavaScript programming editors.

1. Purchase Cue

Purchase Cue direct from Wonder Workshop.

Get the Cue robot

2. Use the MakeCode for Cue app

Download the MakeCode for Cue app – for Windows 10, iOS or Android.

Download the app

3. Code with challenges and examples

Start coding your Cue robot using the guided challenges or build off the sample demo programs available in the app to start creating fun, interactive experiences with Cue!

Explore the Cue app

Chibi Chip

Learn technology through arts and crafts with Chibitronics paper circuits products – which include innovative LED light stickers and the Love to Code Creative Coding Kit. Students learn electronic circuitry and computer science, while creating interactive art pieces like storybooks and greeting cards.

1. Purchase Chibi Chip

Buy any of the Love to Code kits or accessories directly from Chibitronics, or one of their authorised resellers.

Shop Chibitronics

2. Use MakeCode online

Use MakeCode to create fun animations and light effects for your Chibi Chip. Plug it in via the audio jack and “play” your program to copy it to the Chibi Chip. This means you can code and download from your phone!

Use MakeCode online

3. Download the Love to Code book

Download the free Love to Code eBook to print out activities and lessons for your students. This interactive storybook contains fun characters like Fern the Frog, D. Bug and their friends who help guide students through understanding the basics of electronics and programming.

Download the Love to Code book

Grove Zero

This set of plug-and-play electronic modules are programmable with Microsoft MakeCode. Students can snap modules together using magnet connectors in any configuration. #The Grove Zero Starter Kit comes with a buzzer, sound sensor, light sensor, LED light matrix, buttons, temperature sensor and more.

1. Purchase the Grove Zero kit

Get the Grove Zero Starter Kit, or any of the Grove Zero accessories from Chaihuo Maker Education authorised resellers.

Shop for Grove Zero

2. Use MakeCode online

Use MakeCode to program custom behaviours for your Grove Zero modules and test in the interactive simulator.

Use MakeCode online

3. Grove Zero guides

Download the Grove Zero Invention Guide for students and the Educator Guides for teaching with Grove Zero.

Download Educator Guide

Download Invention Guide

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Explore MakeCode

Explore the pages below to learn more about Microsoft MakeCode and how to get started with an inclusive approach to computing education.

Start coding!

Pick from one of the MakeCode online editors and see how easy it is to get started building your own programs in Blocks or JavaScript.
Start coding

About MakeCode

Learn more about the features of the Microsoft MakeCode product, and better understand how it can be used to teach every student computer science in a fun, engaging way.
Get to know MakeCode

Resources

For teachers, find free curriculums and projects to help bring MakeCode into the classroom. For developers or translators, find out how to participate in the MakeCode open source community.
Browse our resources

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