Scratch
Scratch is a beginner-friendly programming platform developed by MIT that uses drag-and-drop code blocks to teach logic, sequencing, and interactivity. It’s a favorite among TAP students for rapid prototyping, creative storytelling, and building games.
🧩 How to Use Scratch
- Visit scratch.mit.edu and create a free account
- Create projects using color-coded blocks that snap together like puzzle pieces
- Control:
- Movement
- Animation
- Sound
- Events and variables
Scratch supports:
- Sprites and stage backgrounds
- Broadcasting between objects
- Logic, loops, and basic math
🧰 Optional Tools
- USB camera or microphone (for interaction)
- Makey Makey or micro:bit for physical integration
🎓 What Students Have Created with Scratch
🍬 Candy Catch
A colorful arcade-style game where players move a sprite to catch falling candy using arrow keys or Makey Makey input.
🌎 Leap for Mankind
An educational animation exploring space travel and human achievement using character dialogue, narration, and sound effects.
🏁 Makey’s Race
A racing game controlled by Makey Makey where the player guides a Scratch sprite around obstacles using physical touchpads.
🧟 Monster Makey
An interactive Scratch story that triggers different monster animations based on real-world object input using Makey Makey.
🌿 Planimals
A logic-based game that teaches classification of animals and plants through interactive quizzes and sprite movement.
💡 Light Up!
A visual puzzle where players turn on virtual lights by connecting sequences and triggering conditional logic blocks.
🛠 Space Mechanic
A team-based Scratch game in which players repair spaceship components using custom buttons and Scratch broadcasts for teamwork.
Scratch opens up the world of programming through creativity and accessibility. TAP students use it to bring stories, science, and games to life—with or without any prior coding experience.TAP Projects Using This Technology
Related Projects Included
Leap For Mankind
Techs:
LeapforMankind is a racing game created using Scratch. The project aims to teach the concepts of "If...
Makey's Race
Techs:
A fun pool game that uses Scratch programming to teach students basic coding skills such as "if-stat...
Candy Catch
Techs:
Candy Catch is a 2-player competitive item catching game that uses Scratch. Players will learn about...
Planimals
Techs:
Make coding entertaining with simplifying programming concepts while learning how to program a resou...
Light Up
Techs:
Introduce basic programming with If statements and loops by using Scratch sprites and coordinates.
Monster Makey
Techs:
Teaching students new technologies and basic sound editing skills with Audacity and Makey Makey.
