Project series - Scroll:bit

The scroll:bit is a little display with a lot of pixels! Its 119 bright white LEDs are perfect for scrolling messages with your micro:bit, or for animations, graphs, and more!

If you already have a micro:bit, you can buy it on its own here, or you can buy it in a kit with a micro:bit, accessories pack, and much more here.

Just slot in your micro:bit, then code scroll:bit with the block-based Microsoft MakeCode editor, or with MicroPython in the Mu code editor. It works in a very similar way to the built-in red LED matrix on your micro:bit, so if you've used that then you'll know exactly what to do.

We have a series of projects for you involving this glorious board of shiny lights, and all of them can be printed out for use in the classroom! Just look for the pdf link on each page. We've also made some handy printables (if needed) for chopping up and giving to students, to save you having to make your own.

If you'd like a quick overview of the scroll:bit, head to this tutorial on our learn site by Sandy.

Activity 1 - Displaying words on the scroll bit

Activity 2 - Making an icon move around the scroll:bit

Activity 3 - Make a tilting ghost

Activity 4 - Animations on the scroll:bit