Looking for a Blockly-based micropython implementation (IDE)

[glenp68]

HI All

I'm looking for a blockly-based IDE that is based on micropython and allows for OTA to get my daughter into programming an ESP32.

Bipes is great, and fits the brief, but the project seems to have got to 2021 and has stalled with the micropython base becoming outdated.

I would prefer something web-based that kiddo can use on an iPad but an open to others if that's my only choice.

Any suggestions?

Glen.

[dhalbert]

You have probably already looked at these:
https://github.com/microBlock-IDE/microBlock-IDE seems to handle some specific ESP32 boards.
https://mpyblockly.github.io/mpyblockly/ seems brand new.

If you are willing to stray further than plain ESP32 and MicroPython:
https://app.edublocks.org/ does CircuitPython and a number of other platforms. The author just got hired by Anaconda.
https://makecode.org is pretty polished. You can see generated Python or Javascript code, but the main point is block programming.
https://learn.adafruit.com/quickstart-adafruit-io-wippersnapper/welcome-to-wippersnapper. Wippersnapper (deliberate misspelling) is a no-code IoT solution that runs on a lot of boards. Not block programming per se.

I guest-taught one session of a Girls Who Code course a few years ago. They were learning Javascript on laptops, but it was slow going. I brought in some Circuit Playground Express boards and taught them MakeCode for about 5-10 minutes. They took off from there and had a great time for the next 1.5 hours, using the board features: RGB LEDs, sound input and output, the on-board accelerometer, and light sensor. I also showed them CircuitPython with Mu, but they liked MakeCode a lot better.

[bixb922]

https://oxocard.ch/en/blocklycard/ is for learning