Coding for Makers: Python, MicroPython and C++ for Boards

This hub collects Artoo Maker Lab's guides to programming the boards makers actually use, from Arduino sketches in C++ to MicroPython on the ESP32 and Raspberry Pi Pico. It is written for first-time coders, for parents and teachers running STEM sessions, and for hobbyists who want their projects to do more than blink an LED.

What you'll find here

Microcontroller language guides

Plain explanations of C++ for Arduino and of Python and MicroPython for the ESP32 and Pico help you choose a language and write code that runs reliably on limited hardware.

micro:bit coding

Step-by-step lessons take you from MakeCode blocks to MicroPython on the BBC micro:bit, using its LED grid, buttons, motion sensor and built-in radio.

Beginner boards compared

Honest comparisons of starter boards explain what each one does well, how much setup it demands, and which suits your first build.

STEM projects for kids

Age-appropriate projects and kit reviews give families and classrooms hands-on ways to learn coding, electronics and problem solving together.

1 guide in this section