You can see the instructions for creating a durable, fashionable wallet or purse out of duct tape: [Duct tape wallet](/projects/wallet). Create a place for the micro:bit to fit securely. Use Button A to add dollars to the wallet, and Button B to subtract dollars from the wallet.
**Extra mod:** Use other inputs to handle cents, and provide a way to display how much money is in the wallet in dollars and cents.
### Umpire’s baseball counter (pitches and strikes)
In baseball during an at-bat, umpires must keep track of how many pitches have been thrown to each batter. Use Button A to record the number of balls (up to 4) and the number of strikes (up to 3).
**Extra mod:** Create a way to reset both variables to zero, create a way to see the number of balls and strikes on the screen at the same time.
### Shake counter
Using the 'On Shake' block, you can detect when the micro:bit has been shaken and increment a variable accordingly. Try attaching the micro:bit to a lacrosse stick and keep track of how many times you have successfully thrown the ball up in the air and caught it.
**Extra mod:** Make the micro:bit create a sound of increasing pitch every time you successfully catch the ball.
### Pedometer
See if you can count your steps while running or doing other physical activities carrying the micro:bit. Where is it best mounted?
Create an adding machine. Use Button A to increment the first number, and Button B to increment the second number. Then, use Shake or Buttons A + B to add the two numbers and display their sum.
**Extra mod:** Find a way to select and perform other math operations.
![micro:bit top and spin counter](/static/courses/csintro/variables/microbit-spinner.png)
In any design project, it's important to start by understanding the problem. You can begin this activity by interviewing people around you who might have encountered the problem you are trying to solve. For example, if you are designing a wallet, ask your friends how they store their money, credit cards, identification, etc. What are some challenges with their current system? What do they like about it? What else do they use their wallets for?
If you are designing something else, think about how you might find out more information about your problem through interviewing or observing people using current solutions.
Then start brainstorming. Sketch out a variety of different ideas. Remember that it's okay if the ideas seem far-out or impractical. Some of the best products come out of seemingly crazy ideas that can ultimately be worked into the design of something useful. What kind of holder can you design to hold the micro:bit securely? How will it be used in the real world, as part of a physical design?
Use the simulator to do your programming, and test out a number of different ideas. What is the easiest way to keep track of data? If you are designing for the accelerometer, try to see what different values are generated through different actions (you can display the value the accelerometer is currently reading using the 'Show Number' block; clear the screen afterward so you can see the reading).
```blocks
basic.forever(() => {
basic.showNumber(input.acceleration(Dimension.X))
basic.showLeds(`
. . . . .
. . . . .
. . . . .
. . . . .
. . . . .
`)
})
```
## Reflection
Have students write a reflection of about 150–300 words, addressing the following points:
* What was the problem you were trying to solve with this project?
* What were the Variables that you used to keep track of information?
* What mathematical operations did you perform on your variables? What information did you provide?