Your First micro:bit Project: Code a Scrolling Name Badge in MakeCode

Two blocks of code and five minutes stand between a brand-new micro:bit and a name badge scrolling across its little LED grid. It is the project almost every teacher reaches for first, because the result is instant, wearable, and obviously yours. The board's 5x5 display can scroll any text you give it, so your name becomes a moving sign you can pin to a shirt.

Quick Answer

In MakeCode, drag a "show string" block into the "on start" block, type your name, and download it to the micro:bit. That is two blocks and under five minutes to a scrolling name badge. The 5x5 LED display marquees longer text automatically, so the whole name reads even though only part fits at once.

Setting up MakeCode

Open makecode.microbit.org in a browser. You do not install anything, and the editor opens with a simulator on the left and a block workspace on the right. New projects start with two containers already on the canvas: "on start", which runs once when the board powers up, and "forever", which loops endlessly. For a name badge you want it to keep scrolling, so the "forever" block is your friend.

Building the badge, block by block

From the Basic category, drag a "show string" block into the "forever" loop. Click the text field, delete "Hello", and type your name. That single block tells the board to march your name across the LEDs. Press the play button and watch it run in the simulator first, so you catch any typos before flashing the real board. Coding boards, sensors and add-ons for this kind of classroom project sit in the smart home and maker components at Evetech.

Flashing it to the real board

Plug the micro:bit into your computer with a USB cable. It shows up like a USB drive. Click Download in MakeCode, then drag the downloaded file onto that drive, or use the one-click flashing if your browser supports it. The board's lights flash while it loads, then your name scrolls for real. To run untethered, power it from a battery pack and pin it on. A spare USB cable and battery holder from the accessories best sellers turns the badge into something you can actually wear around.

Customising the badge

Once the basic scroll works, there are several easy tweaks that teach new concepts without adding complexity. Add a "show icon" block before the string to flash a heart or star between scrolls. This introduces sequencing: the board does one thing, then another, in order. For a more personal badge, use a "show leds" block to draw a custom pixel design by clicking individual squares in the 5x5 grid. That is a good way to understand that the LEDs are individually addressable pixels rather than a single display.

If you want to control the scroll with a button, move the "show string" block out of "forever" and into an "on button A pressed" event instead. Now the name only scrolls when Button A is held down. This is the same input pattern that underpins more complex projects, so it is worth learning early.

Adjusting scroll speed

The default scroll speed is set by a "set scroll speed" block found in the Basic category under "more". Lower numbers scroll slower, higher numbers scroll faster. Experimenting with this value teaches that code controls behaviour in precise, adjustable ways, a foundational insight for any learner.

Taking the badge further

The name badge is a launching pad. Once a child can scroll text and flash icons, the natural next step is to combine sensors with the display. The micro:bit's built-in accelerometer detects tilt and shake, so a second project might scroll a different message when the board is tilted left or right, using the on-shake event or an if-then block that reads the acceleration values. That combines everything learned in the badge project with input from a sensor, which is the central pattern of physical computing.

For a classroom setting, a whole group of learners could customise their own badge versions and compare results, making the project social as well as technical. The badge also makes a useful demonstration piece for parents because the output is immediately readable, which makes the learning visible in a way that a text-based script on a screen is not.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to install any software?

No. MakeCode runs entirely in a web browser at makecode.microbit.org, including the simulator. You only need a USB cable to flash code onto the physical board.

Why does my name only show one letter at a time?

The display is just 5x5 pixels, so it cannot show a whole word at once. "Show string" scrolls the text across automatically, which is exactly the marquee effect a badge wants.

How do I make the badge run without a computer?

Once you have flashed the code, unplug the USB and power the micro:bit from a battery pack. The program stays on the board and runs the moment it gets power.

Can I add an icon to the badge?

Yes. Drop a "show leds" or "show icon" block before or after the string to flash a heart or smiley between scrolls. It is a good next step once the basic badge works.

What ages is this project suitable for?

The micro:bit and MakeCode are designed for primary and high school learners, and this badge is a common first lesson. Younger children can do it with light guidance on typing their name.