WashBoss - Motion-activated Micro:bit Gadget That Teaches Children How to Wash Their Hands With Graphical and Audio Feedback

It's no secret that the best way to keep kids from getting sick and spreading germs to other students is good handwashing! In the COVID-19 era this is especially important. How can this lesson be reinforced? It is not practical for a teacher to watch and time each student every time they wash their hands. WashBoss is a Micro:bit project that displays instructions and provides audio and visual feedback to students, telling them how long to perform each step for maximum effectiveness based on the World Health Organization's handwashing guidelines! Best of all it's hands free to minimize germs- making use of the Micro:bit's built in light sensor means students simply wave their hand over WashBoss to get started. Instructions are printed to a bright LCD display, graphics are displayed on the Micro:bit's LED panel, and audio feedback is given over the built-in speaker. Power is provided by two AAA batteries. Ready to build this cheap and easy project to keep your student's healthy? Read on!

The code for this project can be accessed on our MakeCode page: https://makecode.microbit.org/_eUkEVgMTbezP

Alternatively, a prebuilt .hex file ready to be loaded onto a Micro:bit v2 is available for download below.

• 1x BBC Micro:Bit v2
• 1x micro:bit Battery Holder - 2xAAA (JST-PH)
• 1x 1.8inch colorful display module for micro:bit, 160x128
• 2x AAA batteries
• 1x Micro USB cable

Optional: A hand washing worksheet for each of your students (see PDF attachment)

Gather the supplies from the Supplies section above. If you don't have the battery pack or batteries you can always power the Micro:bit off USB. You could also plug it into the wall using a USB power supply like for a cell phone if you do not wish to use a battery back.

No soldering is needed with this neat LCD display! Simply insert the Micro:Bit into the display's slot with the LEDs facing up and you are done.

The Micro:bit has a battery connector located on the side. Find it like in the image above, and then insert the battery connector from the battery pack into the connector. It should fit snugly. Assembly is now complete!

Download the WashBoss.hex file from the introduction or directly from our MakeCode page! Connect your Micro:bit with a USB cable. Simply drag the .hex file from your downloads folder onto the Micro:bit and it will install automatically. This may take a few minutes but then it will start to work right away.

Now the fun part. Wave your hand over the Micro:bit (the light sensor is onboard the Micro:bit) and WashBoss will start running automatically. Print out the PDF worksheet on handwashing from the Supplies section above to really drive the lesson home. Students love it!