micro:bit Smart Science IoT Kit

SmartIoT Platform

User Guide

🌐 smartiot.space

SmartIoT is a classroom-optimized IoT platform designed for educators and students. Manage devices, upload sensor data, visualize live charts, and share configurations — all from one dashboard at smartiot.space.

📚 Platform Guide

🔒

SmartIoT Log In

Create your account and access the SmartIoT dashboard at smartiot.space

Visit SmartIoT Platform

Open your browser and navigate to smartiot.space. The platform is web-based and works on any modern browser — no software installation required.

Create an Account

Click "Sign Up" on the homepage. Enter your email address and create a secure password. An activation email will be sent to your inbox.

Verify Your Email

Open the activation email from SmartIoT and click the verification link. This confirms your account and grants full access to the platform.

Return to smartiot.space, enter your account email and password, and click "Login". You will be taken to the Device Management interface.

💡

Teacher Tip: Teachers can create a class account and generate student sub-accounts through the Classroom Management feature — students do not need individual email addresses.

🔌

Device Management

Create and manage up to 10 devices per account, each with a unique Topic ID

Access Your Dashboard

After logging in, the Device Management interface displays your account email (upper left), your unique User Token, and all registered devices.

Create a New Device

Click "Add Device" to create a new IoT device. Each account supports up to 10 devices. The system generates a unique Topic — your device's network identifier.

View Device Details

Click "View Details" on any device card to see its data streams, historical charts, and connection status in real time.

Manage Devices

Click the gear icon (⚙️) on any device to rename it, clear all stored data, or permanently delete the device from your account.

🔑 User Token

Your User Token is a unique identifier tied to your account — it is used in your micro:bit code to authenticate all data uploads. Keep it private.

📌 Device Topic

Each device has a unique Topic ID within your account. This is used alongside the User Token in code to route data to the correct device channel.

⇧

Data Upload & Sample Code

Stream up to 8 sensor readings simultaneously from micro:bit to the SmartIoT cloud

Open MakeCode & Add IoT Extension

Go to makecode.microbit.org, create a new project, then click Extensions and search for "IoT" to add the SmartIoT extension library.

Configure WiFi Connection

In the on start block, add the Initialize ESP8266 block and set RX to P8, TX to P12, baud rate to 115200. Then add the Connect to WiFi block with your network SSID and password. Note: Only 2.4GHz networks are supported.

Connect to SmartIoT

Add the Connect to SmartIoT block and enter your User Token and device Topic from your SmartIoT dashboard. The connection block returns True on success, False on failure.

Upload Sensor Data

In a forever loop, add the Upload to SmartIoT block. You can upload up to 8 data values simultaneously — assign each sensor reading to a numbered data channel (1–8).

// Sample: Upload temperature & humidity to SmartIoT on start: Initialize ESP8266 (RX: P8, TX: P12, Baud: 115200) Connect WiFi (SSID: "YourNetworkName", Password: "YourPassword") Connect SmartIoT (Token: "YOUR_USER_TOKEN", Topic: "YOUR_TOPIC") forever: Upload SmartIoT: Data1 = BME280.temperature() Data2 = BME280.humidity() Data3 = lightSensor.read(P1) pause(1000)

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Upload Limit: A maximum of 8 data channels can be uploaded simultaneously per device. Use multiple devices if your project requires more than 8 simultaneous data streams.

🏫

Classroom Management

Create and manage student accounts — no individual emails required

Access Classroom Settings

After logging in as a teacher, click your username dropdown in the top-right corner and select "CLASS" to open the Classroom Management panel.

Create a Classroom

Click "New Class" and enter a classroom name. Then add student accounts by entering student names — names must be 15 characters or fewer. Students can be added individually.

Manage Student Accounts

For each student you can: export or copy their login credentials, reset passwords, and remove accounts from the class roster when no longer needed.

👥 Student Access

Students receive generated login credentials
No personal email address required
Each student gets their own device dashboard
Teacher can view and monitor all student data

🔒 Password Management

Teacher can reset any student password
Students can change password via account settings
Enter old and new password to update credentials
Credentials can be exported to CSV for distribution

💻

Programming & Coding

MakeCode block-based programming with the SmartIoT extension library

Add the IoT Extension

In MakeCode, open Extensions and search for "iot-environment-kit". This adds all SmartIoT blocks to your toolbox, including sensor reading, WiFi connection, and cloud upload blocks.

WiFi & Platform Connection

Use the Initialize ESP8266 block to configure the WiFi module, then Connect to WiFi with your network credentials. Finally, connect to SmartIoT using your User Token and device Topic.

Remote Control Switches

Use remote control switch blocks to receive commands from the SmartIoT dashboard. When you toggle a switch on the platform, the micro:bit executes a corresponding program block — enabling bidirectional IoT control.

Verify Connection Status

The connection block returns a boolean value — True for successful connection, False for failure. Use an if/else block to show status on the micro:bit LED display or OLED screen.

// Remote control + sensor upload pattern on start: initESP8266(RX:P8, TX:P12, Baud:115200) connectWifi("SSID", "Password") if connectSmartIoT(Token, Topic) == True: showIcon(✓) else: showIcon(✗) forever: uploadData(D1=temperature(), D2=humidity()) if remoteSwitch(1) == ON: servoWrite(P10, 90°) // Open valve pause(2000)

📊

SmartIoT Data Filtering

Filter and explore your sensor data by time range and data channel

Open Device Data View

From the device dashboard, click "View Details" on any device to open its full data view. You will see all uploaded sensor channels plotted as live line graphs.

Set a Time Range

Use the "Start Time" and "End Time" pickers to filter the chart to a specific time window. This lets you isolate data from a particular experiment session or lesson.

Select Data Channels

Click the "Data" tab to choose which sensor channels (Data 1 through Data 8) are displayed on the chart. Toggle channels on/off to focus on the readings most relevant to your experiment.

Customize Display with Edit Settings

Click "Edit" within the device settings to rename data channels, adjust chart scales, and toggle which information fields are shown on the dashboard.

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Classroom Tip: Use Data Filtering during class discussions to isolate specific experiment time windows and compare readings across different student groups or sessions.

⚙️

Configuration Sharing

Export and import device configurations for quick classroom deployment

Open Device Configuration

Navigate to a device's detail view and click the gear icon (⚙️) to open its configuration panel. This shows all current settings including channel names, data labels, and display preferences.

Export Configuration

Click "Copy" to copy the device configuration as a shareable code or link. This captures all your channel names, labels, and display settings into a portable format.

Import Configuration

On another device or student account, click "Import" and paste the configuration code. All settings are applied instantly — saving students from manually re-configuring each device.

🎻 Teacher Use Case

Configure one "template" device with correct channel names and labels, then export and distribute to all students. The entire class starts with a consistent, pre-configured setup in seconds.

🔄 What Gets Shared

Data channel names (D1–D8)
Chart display preferences
Data field labels and units
Dashboard layout settings

Platform Integrations

Connect to the World's Leading IoT Platforms

Beyond SmartIoT, the kit supports four industry-standard cloud and automation platforms — giving students exposure to real-world IoT ecosystems.

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IFTTT

If This Then That — Automation Triggers

IFTTT connects websites and apps through their public APIs. When sensor data on ThingSpeak crosses a threshold, IFTTT automatically triggers an action — like sending an email alert or activating a smart device.

Create an IFTTT account at ifttt.com and set up a new Applet

Configure Webhooks as the trigger service and name your event

Set the action (e.g. "Send me an email") for when the trigger fires

Link ThingSpeak via ThingHTTP with your Webhooks URL as the endpoint

Create a React condition (e.g. temp > 30°C) to fire the trigger automatically

📈

ThingSpeak

MathWorks IoT Analytics Platform

ThingSpeak handles HTTP data requests, stores sensor readings, and provides real-time visualization tools including line graphs, numeric displays, and threshold indicator lights. Supports data from multiple platforms.

Create a new Channel and configure data fields for your sensors

Copy your Write API Key from the API Keys tab

In MakeCode, add IoT extension and configure ThingSpeak blocks with WiFi credentials and API key

Add visualizations: line graph, numeric widget, or threshold light for each data field

📄

Excel & micro:bit

Serial Data Collection & Analysis

Stream sensor data directly from micro:bit into Microsoft Excel via USB serial connection. A pre-built VBA macro reads, parses, and charts live sensor readings — teaching real data science workflows without any cloud dependency.

Program micro:bit in MakeCode to send sensor data over serial at 115200 baud every 100ms

Install the USB serial driver so the micro:bit appears as a COM port in Windows Device Manager

Open the provided Excel workbook containing the VBA macro for serial data reading

Update the COM port number in the VBA code to match your device in Device Manager

Run the macro — live sensor charts update automatically as data streams in

📡

MQTT / HiveMQ

Professional IoT Messaging Protocol

HiveMQ is a professional MQTT broker and messaging platform used in production IoT systems worldwide. Students implement publish/subscribe messaging patterns — the same protocol used in smart buildings, industrial sensors, and connected vehicles.

Note the Cluster URL, Port, and WebSocket Port from the Overview dashboard

Create login credentials in Access Management for device authentication

Subscribe to a topic (e.g. testtopic/1) in the CONNECT CLIENT panel

Configure MQTT blocks in MakeCode with TLS scheme, credentials, host, and port. Requires IoT:Bit V1.6+

Hands-On Projects

5 Real-World IoT Cases

Each case places students in the role of a scientist or engineer solving a genuine environmental or safety challenge — from air quality monitoring to autonomous security systems.

Case 01

🌌 Air Quality Monitoring

Our Goal

Build a real-time air quality monitoring system and upload readings to the cloud.

Background

The Internet of Things connects everyday devices through software, sensors, and network connectivity — enabling remote monitoring and control. This case introduces students to IoT fundamentals by building a system that continuously measures and transmits air quality data.

Case 02

🔊 Environmental Noise Detection

Our Goal

Design a noise pollution monitoring station that logs decibel levels over time.

Background

Environmental noise — from transport, industry, and recreation — is called "unwanted sound" and has documented emotional, physiological, and psychological effects on humans. Students build a real-time noise monitor displayed on an OLED with RTC timestamps.

Case 03

🌞 Environmental Quality Monitoring Station

Our Goal

Create a multi-sensor station that measures light intensity, temperature, and humidity.

Background

Environmental monitoring systems track conditions using GIS-enabled data capture for detailed location analysis. Students build a station using the light sensor, BME280, and OLED display — logging readings every minute to track environmental quality trends.

Case 04

🌿 Automatic Irrigation Detection

Our Goal

Build an intelligent irrigation system that waters plants automatically based on soil conditions.

Background

Automated irrigation systems use sensors and timers to operate with minimal human intervention — used in modern farming to improve efficiency. Students create a smart system using a soil moisture sensor, water level sensor, and servo motor that opens a watering valve when the soil is too dry and alerts when the water tank is low.

Case 05

🔔 Self Defence Monitoring Station

Our Goal

Protect an outdoor monitoring station with an automated proximity alarm system.

Background

Outdoor environmental monitoring stations need self-defence mechanisms to prevent damage and warn people to keep their distance. Students engineer a security system using a PIR motion sensor and ultrasonic distance sensor — triggering an audible buzzer alarm when movement is detected within 30cm.

micro:bit
Smart Science
IoT Kit

Connect the Physical World to the Cloud

Everything You Need for Real IoT Science

Complete Kit — Ready to Deploy

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