Quorum is a language and programming environment focused on providing an intuitive and accessible programming experience for individuals with disabilities. Thanks to help from the Quorum team, we have developed libraries to use the Finch Robot 2.0, the Hummingbird Bit, and standalone micro:bits in Quorum. Our support for Quorum is currently in beta, and we do not have an accompanying curriculum, but the activities for Finch in block-based languages or Python are all possible within Quorum.

Requirements

To write code in Quorum for Finch or Hummingbird, you will need a few things:

Connect and Start Coding

  • Launch Quorum Studio.
  • Create a new project and select “console project” as your project type.
  • Turn on your Finch by pressing and holding the black button on the underside of the Finch robot for two seconds. 
  • Make sure your Finch is in Bluetooth mode. If it is, it will flash a code on the LED screen corresponding to its unique name. The code should be three letters, a # symbol, the letters FN, then five more letters and numbers. If Finch is not flashing this code, then you will need to update the firmware on the micro:bit by following these instructions. 
  • Launch the BlueBird Connector. 
  • Connect your Finch to BlueBird Connector by clicking on the Find Robots button, then clicking on your robot. The Finch will play a three-note connection sound when it connects. Please note, the BlueBird Connector is not currently screen-reader accessible. We are working on solutions to this issue.
  • Open the Main.quorum file and download this example file for the Finch Robot, then copy that program into your Main.quorum file. The example file has three mini-programs: the first draws a square, the second plays the opening notes to Fur Elise, and the third shows how to use the accelerometer to control the buzzer.
  • To write your own program, start by downloading this blank starter file, and then refer to the Finch Library documentation on the quorum site or pattern match from the example code previously provided. 
    • Back to Top