Introduction to Hummingbird Robotics
Build, code, and create interactive robots with lights, sensors, and motors.
The Hummingbird Starter Flock gives students a hands-on way to explore robotics, engineering, and creative problem-solving. Students can design robots from everyday materials and bring them to life through coding.
What is Hummingbird?
The Hummingbird Bit Robotics Kit is a flexible robotics platform powered by the micro:bit. It includes lights, sensors, and motors so students can build robots and interactive creations out of almost any material. BirdBrain describes the system as a low-floor, high-ceiling platform, meaning beginners can get started quickly while more advanced learners can keep growing into deeper engineering and programming challenges.
With Hummingbird, students can:
Start Here
If this is your first time using Hummingbird, begin by learning the main parts of the kit, connecting the controller, and exploring a simple first program. Students should understand that they are combining physical parts with code to make something move, light up, or react.
A good starting sequence is:
Recommended Starting Resources
Hummingbird Start Teaching
A teacher-friendly entry point with introductory activities and support for getting started.
Hummingbird Get Started
A setup-focused guide for new users of the kit.
Hummingbird Kit Contents Guide
Helpful for identifying parts and understanding the hardware.
Hardware Guide
A printable resource that helps students and teachers understand the kit components.
Your First Hour of Robotics
Step-by-step lesson plans for introducing students to building and programming with Hummingbird.
Ways to Code Hummingbird
The Hummingbird Bit Robotics Kit supports both block-based and text-based programming. Students can code with BirdBlox, MakeCode, and Snap!, and more advanced learners can explore text-based options such as Python, Java, Swift, and Kotlin depending on device and setup.
Beginner-Friendly Options
MakeCode Course
A strong starting point if your students are already familiar with micro:bit and block coding.
BirdBlox Lessons for Hummingbird
Good for visual coding and accessible classroom entry points.
Snap! Lessons for Hummingbird
Another block-based path for students ready to explore computational thinking in a visual environment.
Text-Based Pathways
As students grow, Hummingbird can also support deeper programming experiences using text-based languages. This makes it useful not only as an introductory robotics tool, but also as a bridge into more advanced coding.
Project Inspiration
One of the biggest strengths of Hummingbird is flexibility. Students can use the same core kit to create storytelling projects, science models, moving machines, and autonomous robots.
Featured Project Ideas
Robot Theater: Where Poetry Comes to Life
A creative project that blends robotics with poetry and storytelling.
Modeling Joints with Robotics
A cross-curricular project connecting robotics, biology, and engineering.
Rover
A mobile robotics project that helps students explore movement, control, and design.
Physics of Pinball
A project that combines robotics with motion, force, and interactive design.
More Project Resources
Hummingbird Projects Hub
A broader collection of Hummingbird project ideas and tutorials.
Making Mobile Robots with Hummingbird
A focused resource for creating rover-style and mobile robot projects.
My First Invention
Students will build a 3D catapult out of provided materials, and use a position servo to animate the catapult.
Hummingbird Build Hub
BirdBrain’s build section includes mechanisms, robot hand, joystick, custom sensor ideas, hacks, and beyond the kit ideas.
How to Grow Your Skills
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
This progression works well because Hummingbird supports both quick entry and deeper long-term growth.
Extension Ideas
Once students understand the basics, they can extend their learning by creating projects such as:
These extension ideas help students move from following directions to designing their own solutions.
For Teachers
Hummingbird works well as an introduction to robotics, engineering design, and physical computing. It can support short introductory builds, deeper challenge-based lessons, or open-ended design projects. BirdBrain provides free classroom-tested materials, tutorials, printables, and professional development to help teachers get started and keep growing.
This makes Hummingbird a strong fit for:
Curriculum & Teacher Resources
Use these resources to plan lessons, introduce the platform, and extend student learning.
Printable Instructional Resources
A collection of printable classroom materials and instructional supports.
Professional Development Overview
A starting point for BirdBrain’s PD resources and training options.
Hummingbird Bit Video Courses
Free video courses focused on programming, building, and teaching with the kit.
Student Independent Study / Free Student Course
Students can explore robotics and computer science with virtual instructors.
Top 20 Tech Support Questions
Helpful support page with answers to common setup and compatibility questions.
Quick Access Links
Use these quick links to jump to the most important Hummingbird resources.