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MicroPython API Connections

Run the MicroPython API Connections MicroSim Fullscreen

About This MicroSim

A Mermaid diagram showing a central "Raspberry Pi Pico" box with arrows going to hardware components. Each arrow is labeled with the MicroPython API used:

Learning objective:

How to Use

Click any box or node in the diagram to read what it does. The explanation appears in the panel just below the diagram. Where an Animate button is present, press it to step through the sequence.

Iframe Embed Code

You can place this MicroSim on any web page by adding the following HTML:

<iframe src="https://dmccreary.github.io/moving-rainbow/sims/micropython-api-connections/main.html"
        height="682px"
        width="100%"
        scrolling="no"></iframe>

Lesson Plan

Grade Level

Grades 6-12

Duration

10-15 minutes

Learning Objective

Activities

  1. Explore (5 min): Open the MicroSim and try every control. Notice what changes on screen.
  2. Predict (5 min): Before each change, predict what will happen, then test your prediction.
  3. Discuss (5 min): Explain the idea in your own words and connect it to the LED code in Chapter 6.

Assessment

Ask students to describe, in one or two sentences, the relationship the MicroSim demonstrates and how it shows up when programming the LED strip.

References

  1. Chapter 6: MicroPython APIs, GPIO Control, and Electrical Fundamentals - the chapter where this MicroSim is used.
  2. Moving Rainbow Intelligent Textbook - the full course this MicroSim belongs to.
  3. MicroSims Reference - the standards behind these interactive simulations.

Original Specification

Full specification used to generate this MicroSim 
Type: diagram
**sim-id:** micropython-api-connections
**Library:** Mermaid
**Status:** Specified

A Mermaid diagram showing a central "Raspberry Pi Pico" box with arrows going to hardware components. Each arrow is labeled with the MicroPython API used:
- Pico → LED strip (NeoPixel): "neopixel.NeoPixel via machine.Pin(GP0)"
- Pico → Buzzer or servo: "machine.PWM via machine.Pin"
- Pico → Photoresistor: "machine.ADC via machine.Pin(GP26)"
- Pico → Button: "machine.Pin(GP15, IN)"
- Pico → Built-in LED: "machine.Pin(25, OUT)"
- Pico → Time/Delays: "utime.sleep()"
- Pico → Random effects: "urandom.randint()"

Each node is clickable: clicking opens an overlay explaining what that API does and which chapter covers it in depth. Use a left-to-right flow layout. Color-code: GPIO in blue, PWM in orange, ADC in green, time in purple, random in yellow.