Starting from

An Introduction to Computing Science

by Jeremy Scott

LEARNER NOTES
Starting from Scratch An Introduction to Computing Science

Acknowledgements
This resource was partially funded by a grant from Education Scotland. We are also grateful for
the help and support provided by the following contributors:

Cathkin High School

Linlithgow Academy
Perth High School
George Heriot’s School
Stromness Academy
CompEdNet, Scottish Forum for Computing Science Teachers
Computing At School
Professor Hal Abelson, MIT
Mitchel Resnick, MIT
Scottish Informatics and Computer Science Alliance (SICSA)
Edinburgh Napier University School of Computing
Glasgow University School of Computing Science
Heriot-Watt University School of Mathematical and Computer Sciences
University of Edinburgh School of Informatics
Robert Gordon University School of Computing
University of Dundee School of Computing
University of Stirling Department of Computing Science and Mathematics
University of West of Scotland School of Computing
International Olympic Committee
ScotlandIS
Turespaña
Brightsolid Online Innovation
JP Morgan
Microsoft Research
Oracle
O2
Sword Ciboodle

The contribution of the following individuals who served on the RSE/BCS Project Advisory Group
is also gratefully acknowledged:

Professor Sally Brown (chair), Mr David Bethune, Mr Ian Birrell, Professor Alan Bundy, Mr Paddy
Burns, Dr Quintin Cutts, Ms Kate Farrell, Mr William Hardie, Mr Simon Humphreys, Professor
Greg Michaelson, Dr Bill Mitchell, Ms Polly Purvis, Ms Jane Richardson and Ms Caroline Stuart.

Some of the material within this resource is based on existing work from the ScratchEd site,
reproduced and adapted under Creative Commons licence. The author thanks the individuals
concerned for permission to use and adapt their materials.

BCS is a registered charity: No 292786

The Royal Society of Edinburgh. Scotland's National Academy. Scottish Charity No. SC000470

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Starting from Scratch An Introduction to Computing Science

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Starting from Scratch An Introduction to Computing Science

Contents
Introduction .................................................................................................... 5
What is a computer? ...................................................................................... 5
Types of computer ......................................................................................... 6
Parts of a computer ....................................................................................... 9
Hardware ..................................................................................................... 10
Software ....................................................................................................... 11
Programming languages .............................................................................. 12
Programming in Scratch ................................................................................ 13
1: Scratching the Surface ............................................................................... 15
All the world’s a stage .................................................................................. 15
Putting things in order ................................................................................. 17
Did you understand? .................................................................................... 18
Lazy or smart? .............................................................................................. 20
2: Story Time ................................................................................................. 21
Bugs .............................................................................................................. 22
Event-driven programming .......................................................................... 25
3: A Mazing Game ......................................................................................... 27
The Importance of Design ............................................................................ 27
4: Get the Picture? ........................................................................................ 35
Nesting ......................................................................................................... 36
5: Forest Archery Game ................................................................................. 43
Variables....................................................................................................... 46
Summary ...................................................................................................... 49
Scratch Project .............................................................................................. 51
Congratulations ............................................................................................ 60

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Starting from Scratch An Introduction to Computing Science

iv
 Starting from Scratch Introduction

Introduction
You have probably already used several computers today without realising it.

If you have sent a text, been driven in a car, or checked your watch then you have used a
computer. The words you are reading now were typed on a computer.

Computers are all around us. Since they affect so many parts of our lives, it is important
to understand how they work.

What is a computer?
A computer is a machine that carries out instructions given to it by a human. Without
instructions, computers wouldn’t be able to do anything.

If this is the case, then what makes them special? Well, computers…

 work faster than humans 1 ;

 are more accurate than humans;
 can store huge amounts of information that they never “forget”.

It might seem that computers can do almost anything. However, here are some other
important things to remember:

 Computers don’t have brains; they are not cleverer than humans.
 Computers don’t have feelings or “common sense”. This means that there are
lots of everyday tasks that humans can perform that computers still cannot.

Activity Write down three everyday tasks that humans perform but computers cannot (or are
not very good at).

1. _____________________________________________________________________

2. _____________________________________________________________________

3. _____________________________________________________________________

1 At the time of writing, a modern personal computer could perform over 100 billion calculations
every second!

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 Starting from Scratch Introduction

Types of computer
Computers come in many shapes and sizes. Computers that most people might
recognise include:

Desktop A desktop PC (Personal Computer) is designed to

sit on top of – or under – a desk and is used by
one person at a time. It is powered by mains
electricity and made up of separate devices.

Laptop Laptop computers combine all the separate devices

of a desktop PC into one unit. This can be carried
around and powered by mains electricity or battery.
Netbooks and ultrabooks are just smaller, lighter
types of laptop.

Tablet This has a large, touch sensitive screen which is

used with your finger (or sometimes a special pen).
It is battery-powered and very portable. Tablets
have an on-screen “virtual” keyboard2.

Activity The personal computers shown above appear in order of oldest to newest types.
What does this tell you about the kind of computers people want?

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

2
The word “virtual” is used a lot in Computing. It just means “not real” – it’s something that’s
been recreated on a computer. Can you think of any other virtual things you get on a computer?

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Starting from Scratch Introduction

Other computers that may not be as well-known or recognised by most people include:

Mainframe This is a large computer which can take

up an entire room. Many users can use
it at the same time, each with their
own keyboard, mouse and monitor.
Mainframes are very expensive and
need a team of people to run them.
They are owned by large organisations
that need to store and process huge
amounts of information.

Server A server is a computer that provides

services for other computers on a
network e.g.

 file server (stores users’ files)

 web server (serves out web pages)
 mail server (provides email services)

Games console Games consoles are also computers. Most

have a disc drive for loading games and a
powerful processor to create realistic graphics.
Many games consoles can also connect to the
Internet, letting users buy games online or
compete with other gamers around the world.

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 Starting from Scratch Introduction

Embedded Many devices in your home have an embedded

computer – a small silicon chip that carries out
stored instructions. The modern home has over 100
of these “computers”, built into devices like a
toaster, stereo, washing machine, fridge, TV, etc.
A modern car may have another 100 or more embedded computers3.

Activity Write down three devices in your own home that you think might contain an
embedded computer (besides those shown above).

1. _____________________________________________________________________

2. _____________________________________________________________________

3. _____________________________________________________________________

Smartphone “Smart” mobile phones like Android and Apple iPhone

are really pocket computers that can also make phone
calls. Many smartphones use large touch screens.
This is a good example of convergence where
technologies that were previously separate are now
combined in one device.

Activity Write down three technologies that are combined in a modern smartphone.

1. _____________________________________________________________________

2. _____________________________________________________________________

3. _____________________________________________________________________

3
Source: http://www.eetimes.com/discussion/significant-bits/4024611/Motoring-with-
microprocessors

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 Starting from Scratch Introduction

Parts of a computer
A computer is a machine that:

 takes in information
 stores this information
 processes this information
 and gives this processed information back out.

INPUT PROCESS OUTPUT

STORAGE

Activity Write down inputs and outputs for the following activities on different types of
computers. When you have finished, create an extra one of your own:

Activity Input(s) Output(s)

Move game controller Character moves

Playing a video game
Click buttons Menu selections made

Surfing the WWW

Making a phone call

Watching TV

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 Starting from Scratch Introduction

There are two main parts to a computer: hardware and software.

Hardware
Hardware means computer equipment. A single piece of hardware
is called a device.

There are four main types of device in a computer:

Input device used to put data into the computer

Central Processing Unit (CPU) where the computer carries out the instructions
given by the programs. The faster the processor, the
faster your computer will work.

Output device used for data coming out of the computer

Storage device used to store programs and data. It is where you save
your work on to.

Put simply – if you can touch it, it’s hardware.

Activity Decide if the following devices are input, output or storage devices then put each one
into the correct column. The first three have been done for you.

keyboard; hard disc drive; monitor; speaker; scanner; printer; mouse; DVD drive;
microphone; memory stick; game controller; smartphone touch screen; memory card

Input Device Storage Device Output Device

keyboard hard disc drive monitor

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 Starting from Scratch Introduction

Software
A computer can perform different tasks, depending on the instructions it is given.

A list of instructions is called a program. Without a program to tell it what to do, a

computer would just be a (useless) collection of hardware devices.

Software is the name given to programs and the information they use.

Activity Complete the table below of ten different jobs you can do on a computer and the
name of a software package that lets you do it.

Task Software package

Browse the World Wide Web Internet Explorer

Play games Angry Birds

Edit a movie iMovie

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Starting from Scratch Introduction

Programming languages
Computers follow instructions given to them by humans. They can solve only the
problems that people tell them to solve. To tell a computer what to do, you must know
what problem you want to solve and have a plan for solving it.

Unfortunately, these instructions can’t just be given to the computer in normal English.
A computer can perform tasks very quickly, but it is not intelligent like we are.

A computer will do:

 only what it is told and
 exactly what it is told.

This means that computer programs have to be written in a very precise way, according
to strict rules. There must be no confusion over what instructions mean.

A set of instructions and rules that a program can be written in is called a programming
language.

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Starting from Scratch Programming in Scratch

Programming in Scratch
The rest of this course will focus on how to write computer programs.

You will be using Scratch, created by MIT

(Massachusetts Institute of Technology), one of the
USA’s leading universities.

Scratch is a powerful software development package. It lets

you create programs (called projects) that combine sound,
graphics and animation.

You can upload your projects to the Scratch website and

share with other Scratchers around the world. It really is the
cat’s whiskers!

You will learn how to use Scratch through a series of lessons.

At the end of each one, there will be some questions which
will help to check if you have understood what you have A model of the Scratch
learned. cat at MIT Media Lab

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Starting from Scratch Programming in Scratch

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Starting from Scratch 1: Scratching the surface

1: Scratching the Surface

This lesson will cover

 The Scratch environment, including
o Sprites & stage
o Properties
 Scripts
 Costumes/backgrounds
 Sounds
 Creating a program with animation & sound

Introduction
Watch the video introduction to Scratch. This will introduce you to Scratch and its
screen layout.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=jxDw-t3XWd0

All the world’s a stage

A Scratch program contains sprites (characters) that “perform” on a stage. Sprites and
the stage have three kinds of properties (or settings):
1. Scripts
These are the instructions that control a sprite. Scripts are made from blocks.
There are eight different kinds of blocks – to do with motion, control, looks, etc.
– and over 100 blocks in total. Note that sprites need scripts to perform a task.

2. Costumes/Backgrounds
Costumes are “outfits” for a sprite. The same sprite can have several costumes
and so be made to look completely different.
The stage can have different backgrounds which can be changed. Backgrounds
are just like costumes for the stage.

3. Sounds
These are sounds that sprites or the stage can use. Again, each sprite (or the
stage) can have many different sounds. Scratch lets you import (bring in)
recorded sounds or even record your own using a microphone.

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 Starting from Scratch 1: Scratching the surface

Task 1: Up on the Catwalk

Watch screencast Catwalk.

This will go over the main elements within Scratch and take you through the task of
creating your first computer program. If you get stuck, go back in the screencast or ask
your partner.

Task 2: Frère Jacques

Watch screencast FrereJacques.

This will show you how to create a simple tune in Scratch. If you get stuck, go back in the
screencast or ask your partner.

Did you know…? Frère Jacques is one of the best-known songs in the world. It is a French song about a
religious monk (“Brother John” in English) who has the job of ringing the morning bell
before the days of alarm clocks. Unfortunately, poor Jacques has overslept!

Task 3: My Tunes
Once you have completed Task 2, try creating a program that plays another simple song.
Choose one where lines of the music repeat, so you can use the repeat command.

Congratulations – you have just started your journey to become a computer

programmer!

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Starting from Scratch 1: Scratching the surface

Putting things in order

Blocks in the same script get executed (carried out) in sequence, one after the other.
Blocks in separate scripts can sometimes be executed at the same time. This is called
parallel processing – having the computer do more than one thing at a time.

For example, if you have several scripts, they will all get executed together
when the green flag is clicked.

Extension 1: Dance away

Try to make a sprite dance in time to your music, starting the program when the green
flag is clicked. There are two ways you could do this:

 create a single script that includes the sprite movement blocks amongst the
play note blocks
 have separate scripts for the same sprite – one script plays the tune whilst the
other makes the sprite dance.

You can find another screencast (Dancing Queen) to give you some inspiration at
http://info.scratch.mit.edu/node/164 .

Make sure you create a tune, rather than just use a music loop, though!

Extension 2
Experiment by adding some other blocks to your program, such as the looks blocks e.g.

These let you create some really fun effects!

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Starting from Scratch 1: Scratching the surface

Did you understand?

1.1 Look at the section of code opposite that controls a sprite.

Write down what you think the user will see when the
green flag is clicked.

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Why? _____________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Now try out the code yourself and see if you were right.

1.2 Now add a wait 1 secs block between the two move blocks. Describe what
happens now.

__________________________________________________________________

Explain why this happened ____________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

1.3 Look at the section of code below that controls a sprite.

Write down what you think the user will see when the green flag is clicked.

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Why? _____________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Now try out the code yourself and see if you were right.

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Starting from Scratch 1: Scratching the surface

1.4 In the stack of blocks below, how many times does the sprite move 10 steps?

__________________________________________________________________

1.5 A programmer wants the cat to dance to some music. However, the cat doesn’t
start dancing until after the music has finished!

Why is this?

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

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Starting from Scratch 1: Scratching the surface

1.6 In the example below, a programmer has chosen a piece of music (sound
“Xylo1”) to play during a game. However, when the green flag is clicked,
the computer just plays the first note of the music – over and over again!

What mistake has the programmer made?

__________________________________________

__________________________________________

1.7 In Extension 1: Dance Away, you made a sprite dance to a tune you created.
There were two ways you could do this:

 have a single script with the movement blocks amongst the play note blocks
 have separate scripts for the same sprite – one script plays the tune whilst the
other makes the sprite dance.

Why do you think experienced programmers would use separate scripts?

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

1.8 Make up a question like those from 1.1–1.6 and pass it to your neighbour.

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Lazy or smart?
Computer programmers always look for shortcuts to make their life easier.
A good example is how we used a repeat block in Frère Jacques to repeat the same line
of music instead of having two identical sets of blocks. As well as looking neater, it also
means that you won’t make a mistake when creating a second set of blocks.
Do you think this makes programmers lazy or smart? (Hint: the answer is smart!)
You can make your life easier, too by spotting shortcuts like this.

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Starting from Scratch 2: Story Time

2: Story Time

This lesson will cover

 creating stories and plays
 sequencing instructions
 events
 the broadcast command

Task 1: A bad joke

Watch screencast BadJoke. This shows how to use Scratch to create a joke or play
between two characters.

Once you have done this, try creating a joke of your own – for example, a “Knock,
Knock” joke – that uses two characters like the one in the example.

Pay attention to when each character (sprite) “speaks” by planning out the code,
including speaking and waiting, like the one below.

Girl Boy
Say “Hey, I’ve got a joke!” for 3 secs Wait 3 secs
Wait 3 secs Say “Okay – let’s hear it!” for 3 secs
Say “My dog’s got no nose” for 3 secs Wait 3 secs
Wait 3 secs Switch to costume of boy shrugging
Say “How does it smell?” for 3 secs
Say “Terrible” for 2 secs Wait 2 secs
Switch to costume of boy laughing
Say “<Groan>” for 3 secs

2.1 Write down any problems you had and what you did to overcome them.

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

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Starting from Scratch 2: Story Time

Task 2: A short play

Write a short story or play. There should be two or three scenes (backgrounds) where
the actors (sprites) change costumes.

Keep it simple with only two or three actors (sprites). Write a script on lined paper, with
each actor’s lines side-by-side, as shown in the previous example.

Hint: You can use the broadcast block to let a sprite trigger an event, such as a scene
change e.g.

In the sprite script In the stage script

You can find another screencast (Haunted Scratch) to give you some inspiration at
http://info.scratch.mit.edu/node/165

Extension 1: A walk-on part

Make your characters walk on to the screen and stop at a certain point during the play.

Hint: you will have to start your sprite actors at the edges of the screen and use the
show and hide blocks to make them appear at the correct place every time.

Bugs
A bug is an error which stops your code working as expected. There are two main types
of bug which can occur in a program:
● Syntax error
This happens when the rules of the language have been broken e.g. by mis-
spelling a command. Syntax errors usually stop the code from running.
Languages like Scratch provide code in ready-written blocks, so you won’t make
many syntax errors.
● Logic error
This means your code runs, but doesn’t do what you expect.
Unfortunately, it’s still possible to make logic errors in Scratch!
Finding and fixing these errors in a program is known as debugging.

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Starting from Scratch 2: Story Time

Did you understand?

2.1 The program below shows the scripts for two sprites to tell a joke to each
other. Why would this program not work?

Girl Boy

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

2.2 The program below shows the scripts for two sprites to tell a joke to each
other. Aside from being a terrible joke, what is wrong with this program?

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

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Starting from Scratch 2: Story Time

2.3 The program below shows the scripts for two sprites to tell a joke to
each other. Why would this program not work?

Girl Boy

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

2.4 Now make up a “buggy” question of your own and pass it to your neighbour.

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Starting from Scratch 2: Story Time

Event-driven programming
Some computer programs just run and continue on their own with no input from the
user e.g. your program to play a tune.
However, many programs react to events (things that happen), such as:
● the click of a mouse or press of a key;
● the tilt of a game controller;
● a swipe of a smartphone screen;
● a body movement detected by a motion-sensing controller such as a Kinect

In Scratch, event blocks have a curved top (sometimes called a “hat”):

Reacts when the green flag is clicked.

Often used to start a program.

Reacts when a key is pressed. Click the small black

triangle to select the key you want to detect. Useful for
controlling a sprite, or triggering an action.

Reacts when a sprite is clicked. Useful for controlling

characters in a program.

It is also possible to create your own events in Scratch using the broadcast command.

2.4 Look at the Scratch environment and write down some other events or conditions
that Scratch programs can react to.
Hint: the Control and Sensing blocks are a good place to start.

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

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Starting from Scratch 2: Story Time

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Starting from Scratch 3: A Mazing Game

3: A Mazing Game

This lesson will cover

 Game creation
 Collision detection

Introduction
You are going to create a simple game where
the player guides an “explorer” character
around a maze using the arrow keys.

The game will end when the explorer rescues its friend in the middle.

Introduction
Watch screencast Maze to learn how to create the Maze game.

Task 1: Setting the scene

Set up the game by importing the stage costume (Maze) and two sprites – an explorer
and a friend for the explorer to rescue. Don’t do any more at this point.

The Importance of Design

Before we make anything – a house, a dress or a computer program – we should start
with a design. Because there are two important parts to most programs – the interface
(how it looks) and the code – we design these separately.
● The easiest way to design the interface is by sketching it out on paper.
● To design the code, write out a list of steps it will have to perform in English.
This is known as an algorithm and is just like the steps in a food recipe.
Solving problems like this is what programming is really about, rather than entering
commands on the computer.
All good programmers design algorithms before starting to code!

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Starting from Scratch 3: A Mazing Game

Task 2: Designing the solution

Let’s look again at the two main things we need to code in our game:

1. moving the explorer

2. reaching centre of the maze (and rescuing the explorer’s friend)

The table below shows an algorithm for moving the explorer and Scratch code that does
the same thing.

Algorithm for moving explorer Code

when the flag is clicked

repeat forever

if right arrow key is pressed

point right
move 5 steps

if left arrow key is pressed

point left
move 5 steps

if up arrow key is pressed

point up
move 5 steps

if down arrow key is pressed

point down
move 5 steps

if explorer touches the same

colour as the maze wall
go back to starting position

Algorithms let programmers concentrate on what the program has to do instead of how
to do it on the computer. Once the algorithm is worked out, writing the code is easy!

Notice how an algorithm is indented to show which parts belong inside other parts e.g.

repeat forever
→ if right arrow key is pressed ......... goes inside repeat forever
→ point right .................................... goes inside if right arrow key is pressed
→ move 5 steps ............................... goes inside if right arrow key is pressed

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Starting from Scratch 3: A Mazing Game

Task 2: Designing the solution (continued)

The table below shows an algorithm for the explorer’s friend sprite.

From this algorithm, see if you can create the code yourself. Remember to put it in the
friend sprite!

Algorithm for reaching centre of maze Code for friend sprite

when the flag is clicked

show sprite

repeat forever

if touching explorer sprite Code this one yourself!

say “Thank you!”

hide sprite

stop all scripts

Now test your game to see if it works.

Extension 1: Getting in tune

Add a background tune to your game (sound “xylo1” seems to suit, but
choose what you think sounds best).

Think about the following:

 Where would be the best place to store this, since it applies to the whole game?
 How will you get the music to keep playing?
 Should you use a play sound or play sound until done block to play the music?

Extension 2: Add an enemy

Add a sprite that constantly moves back and forth across the stage.
If your explorer touches the enemy, the explorer should go back to
the start.

Hint: set your enemy sprite to move only left & right.
The if on edge, bounce block is useful to bounce back and forth
off the edge of the stage.

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Starting from Scratch 3: A Mazing Game

Did you understand?

3.1 A programmer creates a maze game like the one you’ve just created.
Unfortunately, her character doesn’t move as expected.

What mistake has she made?

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

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Starting from Scratch 3: A Mazing Game

3.2 Look at the examples of code below.

Do they perform the same task? ________________________________________

Explain your answer __________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

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Starting from Scratch 3: A Mazing Game

3.3 The code below controls a sprite going round a maze. If the sprite touches the
side of the maze (the colour blue), it returns to its starting position of -150, 150.

Unfortunately, the sprite sometimes touches the walls of the maze and returns to
the start when the player doesn’t expect.

What mistake has the programmer made?

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

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Starting from Scratch 3: A Mazing Game

3.4 In this example, the sprite is supposed to return to the centre of the maze when it
touches the sides (coloured blue); however, it only does this sometimes.

What mistake has the programmer made?

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

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Starting from Scratch 3: A Mazing Game

3.5 In this example, the sprite never returns to starting position, even if it touches the
walls of the maze (coloured blue).

What mistake has the programmer made?

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

3.6 Now make up a buggy question of your own and pass it to your neighbour.

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Starting from Scratch 4: Get the picture?

4: Get the Picture?

This lesson will cover

 The Scratch environment
o Sprites
o Code blocks
 Fixed loops
 The broadcast and wait command
 Programming computer graphics

Introduction
In this lesson, you will write programs to create simple computer graphics using
Scratch’s Pen blocks.

Task 1: Shaping up
Watch screencast Graphics. This demonstrates how to use Scratch to create some
simple computer graphics (pictures).

Write down below programs to create the heptagon (7 sides) and triangle:

Square Pentagon Hexagon Heptagon Triangle

Now try out your programs (either double-click on the stacks of blocks or add a when
flag clicked block at the start).

Did your programs work? ___________________________________________________

If not, why not? __________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

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Starting from Scratch 4: Get the picture?

The Rule of Turn

Did you spot the pattern here?

In every shape, we turned a full circle (360°). To work out how many degrees we need to
make at each turn, simply…

Divide the total number of degrees turned in the shape by the number of turns taken

So… in a square, we go round 360° in 4 turns, so 360/4 = 90° per turn;

in a pentagon, we go round 360° in 5 turns, so 360/5 = 72° per turn

Task 2: You’re a star!

Now use the Rule of Turn above to draw a five-pointed star (opposite).
Hint: Pay careful attention to what the rule says!

Task 3: Circle
Create a circle. This is easier than you might think: simply

repeat 36 times
move 5 steps
turn 10 degrees

Task 4: Circular pattern

Make a pattern out of 36 squares arranged in a circle of their own.

repeat 36 times
draw a square .......... put the code to draw a square here
turn 10 degrees

Try changing the shape to squares, triangles or hexagons.

Nesting
In Task 4, we saw one repeat loop inside another – this is called a nested loop.
In this case, the program starts the outer repeat, then enters the inner repeat, which
carries on until it’s finished. The outer repeat then carries on and so on.
Turn on single stepping (Edit menu) to see this happening more slowly. Remember to
turn off single stepping when you have finished.

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Starting from Scratch 4: Get the picture?

Extension 1: The main event

Create your own When I receive scripts to draw each of the shapes you have already
created (square, triangle, pentagon, etc.). Remember to use broadcast and wait to
trigger the When I receive blocks.

Once you have done this, adapt your program for Task 4: Circular pattern to use a
broadcast and wait block for the repeating shape.

Extension 2: Our house

Draw a house like the one shown opposite.
Write an algorithm – that is, plan the steps out on paper –
before you try to code this!
You will need to use penup and pendown blocks.

Hint: Think about how you could use the broadcast and wait
command to reduce the amount of code you create.

Extension 3: Mmm… doughnuts

Adapt the pattern above to create a multi-coloured doughnut shape.
Write an algorithm before you try to code this!

Hint: There are 36 circles, but the pen moves slightly – with the
pen up – before putting the pen down and drawing the next one.
The program also uses the change pen color by block to make it colourful.

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 Starting from Scratch 4: Get the picture?

Extension 4: The Olympic Rings4

This is hard! Try to write a program to draw the five Olympic rings. Write an algorithm
before you try to code this!

Hint: make each circle using a broadcast and wait

command and think about the spacing between the
centre points.

Did you know…? The Olympic flag was flown for the first time at the 1920 Summer Olympics in Antwerp,
Belgium and has been flown at every Olympic Games ever since.
The five rings represent the five continents of America, Africa, Asia, Australasia, Europe.
The colours – blue, yellow, black, green and red on a white background – were chosen
because every nation had at least one of them on its national flag.

4
The Olympic rings symbol is reproduced by kind permission of the International Olympic
Committee. The Olympic rings are the exclusive property of the International Olympic Committee
(IOC). The Olympic rings are protected around the world in the name of the IOC by trademarks or
national legislations and cannot be used without the IOC’s prior written consent.

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Starting from Scratch 4: Get the picture?

Did you understand?

4.1 Look at the program below.

Write down the order in which the scripts are carried out after the green flag is
clicked (number them in order 1, 2 and 3).

Number Script

Now describe what the code will do.

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

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Starting from Scratch 4: Get the picture?

4.2 Look at the code examples below.

a) How many times will sprite move 10 steps? ________

Why? ________________________________________

_____________________________________________

b) How many times will sprite move 10 steps? _______

Why? ________________________________________

_____________________________________________

_____________________________________________

4.3 Discuss the following examples from real life. Write an “algorithm” for each one!
a) Getting ready for school b) Making breakfast

Think: In each example, are there steps that could go in separate scripts and get
carried out at the same time?

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Starting from Scratch 4: Get the picture?

4.4 A programmer tries to create a circular pattern of squares like the pattern labelled
“Correct” below. Unfortunately, it always seems to go wrong, displaying the
pattern labelled “Wrong”.
Correct Wrong

Look at the programmer’s code opposite. What

mistake have they made?
Hint: it’s something to do with how fast the
computer works.

________________________________________

________________________________________

________________________________________

________________________________________

________________________________________

________________________________________

________________________________________

4.5 Now make up a “buggy” question of your own and pass it to your neighbour.

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Starting from Scratch 4: Get the picture?

Did you understand? (Extension 3 only)

4.6 A programmer tries to draw a doughnut like the one in Extension 3.

Unfortunately, it just draws lots of circles on top of each other.

What mistake has she made?

Don’t worry if you can’t see it straight away – this is
tricky! If necessary, enter the script into Scratch and
run it to help you understand what’s going on.

________________________________________

________________________________________

________________________________________

________________________________________

________________________________________

________________________________________

________________________________________

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Starting from Scratch 5: Forest Archery Game

5: Forest Archery Game

This lesson will cover

 Decision statements
 conditional loops
 variables
 random numbers
 animation
 sound

Introduction
Watch screencast ForestArchery to see how to create this game.

Task 1: Designing the solution

Let’s look again at the two main things we need to code in our game:

1. moving the target

2. shooting the target

Try to code your program from the algorithms given overleaf, rather than looking at
the screencast again.

Algorithm to move target (in Target sprite)

when flag is clicked
repeat forever
glide in 1 second to a random position*

* x is a random number from -240 to 240

y is a random number from -180 to 180

Algorithm to move sight and shoot (in Sight sprite) /…

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Starting from Scratch 5: Forest Archery Game

Algorithm to move sight and shoot (in Sight sprite)

when flag is clicked
repeat forever
go to mouse location (the mouse x and mouse y positions)
if the mouse button is down (the user has clicked the mouse)
if the sprite is touching the target sprite
add 1 to score variable
play Pop! sound
Say “Hit!” for 0.5 seconds

Task 2: Hit and miss

Change your code to make the program count misses as well as hits (taking off 1 point
from the score):

If touching target
change score by 1
play Pop! sound
Say “Hit!” for 0.5 seconds
else
change score by -1
play sound
say “Miss!” for 0.5 seconds

Task 3: Against the clock

Add a timer variable to your program which makes the game last 30 seconds. Make the
variable appear on the screen as it counts down from 30 to 0.

when flag is clicked

repeat 30 times
wait 1 second
change time by -1
stop all scripts

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 Starting from Scratch 5: Forest Archery Game

Task 4: Bullseye!
Using if and touching colour blocks, change the program so that when the target is hit, it
adds the following to the score:

 White – 1 point
 Black – 2 points
 Blue – 3 points
 Red – 4 points
 Gold – 5 points (and says “Bullseye!”)

Task 5: Stay positive!

Adapt the program so that the user will never get a negative score.
Hint: take off a point only if the score is above zero.

Did you know…? Humans are known to have practised archery for
at least 10,000 years. It was first used for hunting
(see cave painting opposite5), then in warfare.
In medieval England, it was compulsory for all men
to practise archery regularly, so they would be
skilled if required to go to war.
Nowadays, archery is a popular leisure activity
enjoyed by people all around the world.

5
© Instituto de Turismo de España (TURESPAÑA). Image of cave painting from Cova dels Cavalls
remains the exclusive property of Turespaña and cannot be used or reproduced without
Turespaña’s prior written consent.

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Starting from Scratch 5: Forest Archery Game

Variables
In this game, we introduced the idea of keeping a score using a variable block.
A variable is a space in a computer’s memory where we can hold
information used by our program – just like storing things in a box.
We should always give a variable a sensible name that tells us
what kind of information is stored in it – just like putting a label
on the box to tell us what’s inside.
To create a variable in Scratch, we make a variable block.
Once a variable is created, the information stored inside it can be
set or changed (that is, varied – hence the word “variable”).

Extension 1: A Mazing cool feature

We’re now going to add a new feature to your Maze game from lesson 3 – a timer that
gives the user 30 seconds to finish the game.

To do this, add a variable called time and create a new script that does the following:

When green flag is clicked

set variable (time) to 30
repeat until time = 0
wait 1 second
subtract 1 from variable (time)
say “You Lose”
stop all scripts

Before you write this script, think about where might be the best place to put it.
Hint: is it something that applies to a single sprite or the whole game?

Extension 2: A Harder Maze

Now create a maze of your own which has more than one route to the middle.
Hint: Just create a new stage background for this.

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Starting from Scratch 5: Forest Archery Game

Extension 3: Do I get a prize?

Create new sprites in your Mazing game to act as bonuses along the way.

These should disappear (hide) when the explorer touches them and add to a score
variable. Be sure to place some of them away from the quickest route around the maze
to make it more challenging!

Extension 4: Now you see it…

Add some code to your Mazing game that shows and hides your bonus sprites after
random times e.g. between 1 and 5 seconds (but experiment to see what works best).

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Starting from Scratch 5: Forest Archery Game

Did you understand?

5.1 Look at the script below to make a timer variable count down from 30 to 0.

Will it work? ______________________

Explain your answer ________________

_________________________________

_________________________________

_________________________________

5.2 Now make up a buggy question of your own and pass it to your neighbour.

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Starting from Scratch Summary

Summary

Computing Science concepts

You have also learned about some important ideas within Computing Science:

 What a computer is
 Types of computer
 Hardware
 Software
 Program design, including algorithms
 Bugs

Programming structures/commands
In this course, you have used the following programming features:

 Reacting to events
 Decision-making
o if
o if…else
 Variables – for example
o scores
o timers
 Loops
o fixed (repeat, forever)
o conditional (forever if)
 Collision detection
o if … touching
o if … touching colour

Scratch has many more commands, but you have now learned enough to go on to the
next stage.

Scratch features/…

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Starting from Scratch Summary

Scratch features
You have also learned about the following features of Scratch:

 Sprites & stage

 Properties
o Scripts
o Costumes/backgrounds
o Sounds
 Animation
 Graphics tools

You now have all the skills you need to create some really amazing Scratch projects!

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Starting from Scratch Scratch Project

Scratch Project
Working in a pair or group, you are now going to create a Scratch project of your own!

You may have some ideas already, but programs are normally created in a series of
stages:

1. Analyse
2. Design
3. Implement
4. Test
5. Document
6. Evaluate
7. Maintain

Or… A Dance In The Dark Every Midnight!

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Starting from Scratch Scratch Project

Analyse
Working in pairs or small groups, brainstorm three ideas for your project. Think of how
it might link in with other subject areas you’re studying.

Think of the areas you’ve covered so far...

Is it going to be music or graphics-based? A story? A game?

The Scratch gallery at http://scratch.mit.edu might give you some ideas.

1. __________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

2. __________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

3. __________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Now discuss your ideas with your teacher.

Once you have agreed on your project, describe what it will do below.

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

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Starting from Scratch Scratch Project

Design (Screen)
Make a storyboard of your project.
Your sketch should be labelled to show what is happening and what each sprite does.

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Starting from Scratch Scratch Project

Design (Code)
Design the steps for your code (algorithm):

 Think about the steps each sprite or the stage will have to perform. Write them in
English.
 Think about variables your project will use.

Sprite/Stage Algorithm

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Starting from Scratch Scratch Project

Sprite/Stage Algorithm

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Starting from Scratch Scratch Project

 Think about variables your project will use.

Variable name What it will store

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Starting from Scratch Scratch Project

Implement
Now create your project!

 Gather the sprites, costumes, sounds and backgrounds

Remember to give them sensible names.
 Then create the scripts
Make sure you have your algorithms in front of you!

Test
Test your project to make sure it works.

Let your classmates test it too and note their comments below:

Good points: _____________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

Bad points: ______________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

Describe bugs that were found (by you or by testers) and how you fixed them:

Bug: ___________________________________________________________________

Solution: ________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

Bug: ___________________________________________________________________

Solution: ________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

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Starting from Scratch Scratch Project

Document

Let’s imagine that you’re going to post your project on the Scratch website.

Write down below a brief description (50 words max.) of:

 your project’s main features and

 how to use them.

Remember – you want to get people to try out your project!

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

Once you have written the description, enter it into your project’s notes (File→Project
notes…).

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Starting from Scratch Scratch Project

Evaluate

How did the project turn out compared to how you originally planned it?

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

What mistakes did you make on the way?

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

If you were to start again from the beginning, what would you do differently?

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

Look at your code again.

Is there anywhere you could have taken a shortcut to make it “slicker”?

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

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Starting from Scratch Scratch Project

Maintain

What additional features would make your project better?

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

Congratulations
You have now completed this introduction to Computing Science in Scratch!

Remember that you can download and use Scratch at home, so there’s no need for this
to be the end of your time as a programmer.

http://scratch.mit.edu

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