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naresh_ank
Visitor II
October 9, 2024
Question

Block Level Programming for Kids to Program STM32 Micro

  • October 9, 2024
  • 9 replies
  • 2307 views

Hello,

I want to teach kids programming at the block level using STM32, which is similar to Makecode for Microbit.

Please suggest an IDE for programming the STM32 microcontroller using block-level programming

Thanks

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9 replies

Sarra.S
ST Employee
October 9, 2024

Hello @naresh_ank, welcome to ST Community 

There is a partnership between ST and Vittascience to offer an interface that enables the programming of STM32 boards using either blocks or Micro-Python

Block-based programming with Vittascience involves a simple drag-and-drop process, where you piece together blocks representing various functions and control structures to form a complete program.

To get started, consider the following available kits: 

You can check the link for resources and interface here.

 

To give better visibility on the answered topics, please click on Accept as Solution on the reply which solved your issue or answered your question.
    Andrew Neil
    Andrew Neil
    Super User
    October 9, 2024

    At the block level, why does it matter what microcontroller is used?

    https://www.flowcode.co.uk/

    Porting Makecode to another platform:

    https://forum.makecode.com/t/looking-to-port-a-device-to-makecode/2309

    https://www.hackster.io/wallarug/makecode-creating-custom-boards-92d933

    https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-feather-m0-express-designed-for-circuit-python-circuitpython/what-is-makecode-maker

     

    Open Source:

    https://github.com/microsoft/pxt-maker

    (I think you need to be logged-in to GitHub to see it)

     

    There's Arduino cores for STM32 - https://github.com/stm32duino - so you might look at things that work with Arduino...

    A complex system that works is invariably found to have evolved from a simple system that worked.A complex system designed from scratch never works and cannot be patched up to make it work.
    CMYL
    ST Technical Moderator
    October 10, 2024

    Hello @Andrew Neil 

    Blocks are defined using STM32 Micropython. VittaScience added and tested the blocks based on specific boards according to hardware kit constraints and modules. That's why you see that the education Kits are STM32-board dependent.

    Otherwise if we need to develop our customer blocks the STM32 MCU or board does not matter.

     

    Best regards

    Andrew Neil
    Andrew Neil
    Super User
    October 10, 2024
    @CMYL wrote:

    That's why you see that the education Kits are STM32-board dependent.

    But that's just an implementation detail of the particular environment - at the user/learner level, why would that matter?

    A complex system that works is invariably found to have evolved from a simple system that worked.A complex system designed from scratch never works and cannot be patched up to make it work.
    Tesla DeLorean
    Tesla DeLorean
    Guru
    October 10, 2024

    Aim higher.. I was writing assembler code as a "kid"

    Tips, Buy me a coffee, or three.. PayPal Venmo (See Profile) Up vote any posts that you find helpful, it shows what's working..
      Andrew Neil
      Andrew Neil
      Super User
      October 10, 2024

      Assembler? Luxury!

      My first programming experience was manually keying-in hex on one of these:

       

      AndrewNeil_3-1728561839976.png

      Image credit: https://www.computinghistory.org.uk/det/44383/Heathkit-ET-3400-Trainer/ 

       

      A complex system that works is invariably found to have evolved from a simple system that worked.A complex system designed from scratch never works and cannot be patched up to make it work.
      Andrew Neil
      Andrew Neil
      Super User
      November 26, 2024

      Update to an old thread - I just came across this:

      https://microblocks.fun/

      "MicroBlocks is a blocks programming language for physical computing inspired by Scratch.

      It runs on microcontrollers such as the micro:bit, Calliope mini, AdaFruit Circuit Playground Express, and many others."

      https://wiki.microblocks.fun/en/boards/supported

       

      Whence: https://scratch.mit.edu/

       

      (I don't see STM32 specifically mentioned; just posted for anyone looking for avenues to explore)

      A complex system that works is invariably found to have evolved from a simple system that worked.A complex system designed from scratch never works and cannot be patched up to make it work.
      Ozone
      Ozone
      Principal
      November 26, 2024

      On a related note, since this thread has digressed anyway...

      Most kids will absorb the lessons and quickly forget about it.
      But the "nerdy" kids will get into assembler anyway. They are not satisfied with superficial, watered-down child-level explanations.

      I got into assembler as early teen back then, too. Because nothing else was available.

       

        Pavel A.
        Pavel A.
        November 26, 2024

        Just keep in mind that *evil* nerdy kids can quickly brick your STM32. Find them a tougher toy ))

         

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