Introduction:

In this project, children will learn how sprites can sense their environment.

Resources

For this project, Scratch 2 should be used. Scratch 2 can either be used online at jumpto.cc/scratch-on or can be downloaded from jumpto.cc/scratch-off and used offline.

You can find a completed version of this project online, or it can be downloaded by clicking the ‘Download Project Materials’ link for this project, which contains:

• BoatRace.sb2

There is also a version of this project with the external resources pre-loaded. This is available online at jumpto.cc/boatrace-resources, or in the downloadable project materials, which contains:

• BoatRaceResources.sb2

This link also includes a ‘Project Resources’ folder, which contains images that children will need to complete this project. Make sure that each child has access to a copy of these resources.

Project resources:

• background.png;
  
• boat.png.

Learning Objectives

• Sensing blocks:

  • key ... pressed?;
    
  • distance to mouse pointer;
    
  • touching color ....

Challenges

• “Winning!” - use of touching color ... block;
  
• “Sound effects” - adding sound and music to the game;
  
• “More obstacles!” - consolidating learning of sensing blocks;
  
• “More boats!” - use of key ... pressed? blocks;
  
• “More levels!” - additional player-controlled backdrops.

Frequently Asked Questions

• This is the first project in which much less step-by-step guidance is given. Use this as an opportunity to consolidate learning, and to start drawing on knowledge learnt in this and previous projects.

  For example, if children need help adding sound effects and music to their game, remind them of the work they did in the ‘Rock Band’ project. Encourage children to go back and look at the previous project notes for guidance.