Building Educational Mazes with Scratch: A Practical Approach to Teaching Computational Thinking
Publication date: November 5, 2024
For several years, José María Díaz Fuentes, Scientix Ambassador and Teacher of Physics, Technology, and ICT at Salesian School Santo Domingo Savio in Spain, has begun his Computing and Robotics course by engaging students in a hands-on activity series designed to introduce them to programming in Scratch. This structured approach not only equips students with computational thinking skills but also encourages them to focus on the details needed for effective problem-solving. Through creating, navigating, and observing code in maze games, students grasp foundational programming concepts in a captivating, interactive way.
These activities are ideal for students who have just completed “unplugged” programming exercises and are ready to dive into block coding and automated processes in Scratch. Here are a few tips how to facilitate this engaging experience in the classroom:
Phase 1: Introducing the Maze Challenge
Begin by introducing the concept through a sample project you’ve created yourself. Set up a simple yet intriguing maze game on Scratch where students must guide a character through the maze to reach the finish line. This initial phase is all about giving students hands-on experience with a familiar activity. Providing a good example yourself encourages them to explore and learn by doing.
You can use one of your own mazes or start with any of these four examples:
Simply let students play and attempt to solve these mazes. Observing how they approach these initial challenges can give you insights into their understanding and approach to problem-solving.
Phase 2: Exploring Self-Solving Mazes
In the next phase, introduce a “smart” maze where the character (a bug) completes the maze autonomously in record time. Show the students the internal code briefly – just enough for them to see what’s possible without delving into all the details.
For this phase, use this self-solving maze example. By presenting a working solution, students see the power of programming without the intimidation of a blank screen. It sparks curiosity and provides a clear, achievable goal for their own projects.
Now, challenge them to replicate this functionality using minimal blocks of code. Encourage them to use one of these four games as a starting template:
Within each program, you’ll find certain code blocks deliberately hidden. The objective is to keep students focused on moving the character through the maze. Only later will you reveal what these hidden blocks accomplish, giving students the chance to fully engage with the process.
Phase 3: Introducing Key Coding Concepts
By now, students have familiarised themselves with movement and solving the maze. Next, introduce core programming concepts that will deepen their skills:
- Functions for organising code blocks
- Repetition blocks for efficient programming
- Directional movement for smoother gameplay
- Conditionals to handle interactions
- Costume changes for enhancing characters
As they start applying these concepts, many students will feel inspired to create their own unique mazes and characters, making the activity even more rewarding and personal.
Phase 4: Observing an Autonomous Maze Solver
As a final exercise, show students a Scratch program that features a slightly “clumsy” character solving a maze on its own. Watching an autonomous solution come to life solidifies their understanding of algorithms and problem-solving strategies.
Check out this clever maze-solving project as an example. It’s a great way to conclude the session by showcasing how even a “clumsy” solution can succeed with the right logic, fostering a sense of accomplishment and inspiration for future programming projects.
Why Start with Educational Mazes in Scratch?
This series of activities is more than just fun; it fosters student engagement, builds essential skills, and cultivates a collaborative spirit. Through each phase, students not only practice but also observe, analyse, and improve their abilities. Try this approach and see how it transforms your students’ engagement and enthusiasm for coding.
Happy coding, and enjoy guiding your students through these educational mazes!
