Users create programs by dragging and snapping together colorful code blocks that represent commands, loops, conditionals, and events, eliminating syntax errors and lowering the barrier to entry.
Every user can publish projects to a public gallery where others can run, comment on, and 'remix' (create their own modified copy) of any shared project, fostering collaborative learning.
Scratch includes built-in tools to draw and edit sprites and backdrops, record and edit sounds, and integrate webcam video, enabling creation of interactive stories, games, animations, and simulations.
Users can enable extensions that connect Scratch to external services and hardware, including text-to-speech, language translation, LEGO robotics, micro:bit, and machine learning features like image classification.
Cloud variables store data on Scratch's servers, allowing projects to maintain persistent, shared state across users and sessions, enabling live multiplayer games, leaderboards, and collaborative creations.
Scratch is available as a downloadable desktop application for Windows, macOS, and ChromeOS, allowing use without an internet connection, and the web editor is translated into over 70 languages.
Teachers use Scratch as the core platform for introductory coding units, often following structured curricula like CS First or Creative Computing. Students learn sequencing, loops, conditionals, and events by creating interactive animations or simple games. This hands-on, project-based approach demystifies programming and builds confidence, aligning with CSTA standards for K-8 computer science education.
Young storytellers and animators use Scratch to create interactive narratives with multiple scenes, character dialogue, sound effects, and user choices. By programming sprite movements, scene transitions, and timed events, they learn to structure narratives computationally. This blends literacy skills with logical thinking, producing shareable digital artifacts that go beyond passive consumption.
Aspiring game designers use Scratch to build and iterate on 2D game concepts like platformers, puzzles, quizzes, or arcade-style games. They implement game mechanics such as scoring, lives, levels, and collision detection using variables and control structures. This provides a low-risk environment to learn core game design principles and receive feedback from the community before advancing to more complex engines.
Educators in science, math, or art classes use Scratch to create interactive simulations, models, or visualizations. For example, students might program a simulation of planetary orbits, a quiz on multiplication tables, or an animated art piece that responds to user input. This interdisciplinary approach reinforces subject matter through computational creation, making abstract concepts tangible and interactive.
Using Scratch's AI extensions (like the Machine Learning for Kids integration), learners create projects that utilize simple machine learning models for image recognition, text classification, or sentiment analysis. They might train a model to recognize hand gestures via webcam and use it to control a game character. This introduces core AI concepts like training data, classification, and ethical considerations in an accessible, hands-on manner.
Organizers of after-school coding clubs, summer camps, or online hackathons use Scratch as the primary platform for collaborative challenges. Participants work individually or in teams to create projects around a theme, then present and share them. The built-in sharing and remixing features facilitate collaboration and peer learning, while the low floor allows participants of varying skill levels to contribute meaningfully.
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