The TechnoArcade course has 18 assignments divided into six sessions.

Session 1: Arcade Hero

Students become arcade heroes. They prepare to build an online arcade for kids. To start, they register for a free Scratch account to gain access to the online coding platform. Afterwards, they explore the program to learn about common tools and terminology. By connecting blocks to make a script they discover how to control a sprite.

Session 2: Jumble Tumble

Students build Jumble Tumble. In this game a press of a key creates a mish mash of characters dashing and rolling across the screen. This chaotic scene uses Motion blocks to control movement. By sequencing the coding blocks, students discover how to direct and loop action. For an extra challenge, they can use if-then logic to create a silly outcome when two sprites crash.

Session 3: Let's Jam

Students put together a band. They design a game that transforms the keyboard into a musical instrument. Players will enjoy leading a jam session as they tap away at the keys. Students wanting a personal touch can add a variable that allows the player to name the new music group.

Session 4: Mystery Island

Students create Mystery Island. In this game, players explore an imaginary land. By tapping objects, they discover strange creatures. To build the code, Looks blocks are combined to change the appearance of sprites. Coders wanting to create an extra surprise can use random operators.

Session 5: Lost Treasure Part One

Students begin to create the game Lost Treasure. In it, players collect items to score points. The player moves the mouse to pick up lost items and carries them to a specific spot. To start, students plan the theme of their game. Next, they insert a setting, hero, and treasure. With this complete, the game designers build code to control the movement of the hero. Sounds and Looks blocks combine to add excitement to the game play.

Session 6: Lost Treasure Part Two

Students finish designing the game Lost Treasure. They create a variable to keep score. Using the Wait Until coding block, they build a script that ends the game when all hidden items are found. An optional activity has students create a timer to have players race against the clock. Upon completion, a tester plays the game.

Optional Scratch Coding Lessons for Kids

• Wacky Word: Press keys to animate letters.
• Dash and Crash: Trigger sprites to do silly things when they bump into one another.
• Yikes! Run Away: Save the character from something scary.
• Hide and Seek: Code a game with hidden items.
• Surprise Me: Add random operators to make a game interesting.
• Create a Timer: Make game players race against the clock.