The Smart Solder module is the component built from the Smart Soldering Kit. It features a green, yellow, and red LED, and three buttons, which can be powered using a coin cell battery or programmed using the Climate Action Kit breakout board.

The Forward Education extension comes with several new blocks you can use to control the Smart Soldering Kit. Explore the types of blocks below, and download the sample code provided to get started with testing your Smart Soldering Kit.

Buttons

Buttons Drawer Makecode

From the toolbar, select the Buttons drawer, and scroll down to the Smart Solder category.

The blocks within this category are used to code the button inputs on the Smart Solder component.

These buttons are labelled: BTN1, BTN2, and BTN3.

Button is Pressed

Smart Solder Button code block button is pressed makecode

A boolean block, which stores the value of a button being pressed.

  • True = Pressed
  • False = Not pressed

Click the dropdown “BTN1” to select a different button.

Button is Pressed Code

Button Hold Duration (ms)

A reporter block, which stores the length of time that a button is held down, in milliseconds.

The value resets to 0 each time you press the button

Click the dropdown “BTN1” to select a different button.

Button Hold Duration (ms) Code

On Button

Smart Solder Button code block on button down in makecode

An event block, which triggers when a button is interacted with.

  • Down: Triggers the event as you press the button
  • Up: Triggers the event as you release the button
  • Hold: Triggers the event when the button is held for 1/2 second.

Click the dropdown “BTN1” to select a different button.

On Button Code

Lights

Lights Drawer Makecode

From the toolbar, select the Lights drawer, and scroll down to the Smart Solder category.

The blocks within this category are used to code the three LED outputs on the Smart Solder component.

These LEDs are labelled: GREEN, YELLOW, and RED.

Is On

Smart Solder code block green is on makecode

A boolean block, which turns a specific LED on or off.

  • True = Selected LED On
  • False = Selected LED Off

Click the dropdown “GREEN” to select a different LED.

Is On Code

Set To

Smart Solder code block set to on in makecode

A command block, which turns a specific LED on or off.

Click the dropdown “GREEN” to select a different LED.

Click the toggle “off” to select “on”.

Set To Code

Projects Using the Smart Solder Component

Ready for more? Check out these projects featuring the Smart Solder Component.

A graphic illustrating a "Traffic Light Project." On the left, a digital rendering of a traffic light shows its green light illuminated. To the right, a white circuit board with three colored LEDs (red, yellow, green) connected to resistors and wires is plugged into a black micro:bit board, which sits on a light green breadboard. A USB cable connects the micro:bit to another component that is mostly obscured. The background is a blurred image of modern buildings with large windows, tinted in shades of blue and green, suggesting a city environment.

Traffic Lights with Smart Soldering Kit

Forward Education's Smart Crosswalk

Smart Crosswalk with Smart Soldering Kit

Feeling Stuck? Explore the Knowledge Base for common questions and troubleshooting tips.

Knowledge Base