TECH CLUBBOZOMA INNOVATION HUB

Session 36 • Page 1

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Session 36: Block Programming & Algorithms

Until today, you have used software that other people built (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Web Browsers). Today, you step across the line from being a technology consumer to becoming a technology creator: you will write your first computer program!

1. Plain Talk: The Kelewele Recipe (What is an Algorithm?)

Computers are lightning fast, but they are as dumb as a stone—they cannot guess what you want. They can only follow an Algorithm: a step-by-step list of clear, ordered instructions to accomplish a specific goal.

Think about making spicy fried plantain (Kelewele):

Figure 36.0: An Algorithm is a step-by-step sequence. The computer executes steps from left to right, top to bottom.

2. Why "Block-Based" Coding?

❌ TEXT-BASED CODE (Frustrating for Beginners)

Typing code by hand in languages like Python or C++. If you forget a single semicolon (;) or comma, the entire program crashes with a confusing error message.

✅ BLOCK-BASED CODE (Visual & Fun!)

In Scratch, instructions are shaped like colorful puzzle pieces. You drag and snap them together. If two blocks don't make logical sense, they physically refuse to snap together!

Anatomy of the Scratch Studio

Session 36 • Page 2

1. The Five Major Zones of Scratch

When you launch Scratch, you are looking at a digital animation and game studio:

Figure 36.1: The five zones: Block Palette, Code Area (Workspace), Stage, Sprite Pane, and Green Flag & Stop.

2. Essential Scratch Vocabulary

Sprite: A character, person, animal, or object on the stage that you can control with code blocks.
Backdrop: The background scenery picture behind your sprites on the stage (e.g. a classroom or football field).
Script: A stack of two or more code blocks snapped together that run in order from top to bottom.
Green Flag: The "GO" trigger button that starts your program.

Block Types & The Event Spark

Session 36 • Page 3

1. Why Blocks Look Like Puzzle Pieces

Look closely at how Scratch blocks are built. They have notches on the top and bumps on the bottom. This guarantees that blocks connect only in ways that make logical sense to the computer:

Figure 36.2: Anatomy of Scratch blocks. Hat blocks start scripts; Stack blocks carry out the actions.

2. The Golden Rule of Events: The Spark Plug

⚡ NO EVENT = NO ACTION!

If you snap together 10 motion blocks but forget to put a yellow Event Hat Block (like when green flag clicked) at the very top, the computer will sit completely still. The Event block is the electrical spark plug that ignites the code engine!

3. Core Motion Commands

Block Name	What It Does	Real-World Result
`move (10) steps`	Moves (jumps) the sprite forward in the direction it is facing.	Walking forward 10 tiny screen pixels.
`turn clockwise (15) deg`	Rotates the sprite to its right like turning a steering wheel.	Pivots right by 15 degrees.
`say [Words] for (2) secs`	Displays a cartoon speech bubble above the sprite's head.	Shows a speech bubble (no sound).

The Stage & The X/Y Coordinate Secret

Session 36 • Page 4

1. Where is My Sprite Standing?

To tell your character where to jump, walk, or appear on the stage, the computer uses a mathematical grid called the X and Y Coordinate Plane. This is just like finding a cell coordinate in a spreadsheet!

Figure 36.3: The Scratch Stage Grid. X controls horizontal movement (left/right); Y controls vertical height (up/down).

2. Coordinate Rules in Plain Language

↔️ X IS HORIZONTAL (Side to Side)

• Positive X numbers (+10, +100) move the sprite to the RIGHT.

• Negative X numbers (-10, -100) move the sprite to the LEFT.

↕️ Y IS VERTICAL (Up and Down)

• Positive Y numbers (+10, +100) push the sprite UP into the air.

• Negative Y numbers (-10, -100) drop the sprite DOWN to the ground.

3. Panic Button / Troubleshooting

🚨 MY SPRITE RAN OFF THE SCREEN!

If you tell a sprite to move 1,000 steps, it runs to the edge until only a sliver is left!

How to rescue it in 1 second:

In the Motion palette (blue), find go to x: () y: ().
Type 0 into both white circles, then click the block once.
Your sprite instantly snaps straight back to the dead center of the stage!

Guided Hands-On Lab: The "Akwaaba" Animation

Session 36 • Page 5

1. Lab Mission: Code an Animated Greeting Sprite

Follow these 6 steps to build your very first working Scratch program:

1

Launch Scratch:
Double-click the Scratch Desktop icon (or visit scratch.mit.edu in your browser).
You will see the famous Scratch Cat standing on the white stage.

2

Place the Event Spark:
Click on the yellow Events category dot on the left.
Drag the when green flag clicked hat block into the center Coding Workspace.

3

Make It Walk:
Click the blue Motion category.
Drag the move (10) steps block and snap it under the event block. Click inside the white circle and change 10 to 50.

4

Make It Speak:
Click the purple Looks category.
Drag the say [Hello!] for (2) seconds block and snap it directly below the motion block.
Click inside the white box and change "Hello!" to: Akwaaba! Welcome to BIH Tech Club!

5

Make It Turn:
Go back to blue Motion → snap turn clockwise (15) degrees at the bottom of the stack.

6

TEST YOUR CODE! (The Big Moment):
Look at the top right of the screen. Click the bright Green Flag.
Watch: The cat walks forward 50 steps, shows its greeting bubble for 2 seconds, and pivots 15 degrees!
Save: File → Save to your computer → Name: Akwaaba_Cat_Ama.sb3.

2. Visual Target (Your Finished Code Stack)

🚩 when green flag clicked

move ( 50 ) steps

say [Akwaaba! Welcome to BIH Tech Club!] for (2) secs

turn ↻ ( 15 ) degrees

Session 36 Review & Verification

Session 36 • Page 6

1. Fix the Broken Algorithm Challenge

Below are 4 steps to wash a dirty school uniform, but they are scrambled in the wrong order! Write numbers 1, 2, 3, 4 to put the algorithm into the correct sequence:

Scrambled Task	Correct Step (1 to 4)
Hang the clean uniform on the drying line in the sun.
Fill the washing basin with clean water and soap powder.
Rinse the uniform in clean water to wash out the soap suds.
Scrub the uniform gently to remove mud and dirt spots.

2. Written Review Questions

Question 1: What is an Algorithm in computer science?

Question 2: What happens if you build a code stack in Scratch but forget to snap an Event Hat Block (like when green flag clicked) at the top?

Question 3: If you want a sprite to jump UP into the sky, do you increase its X coordinate or its Y coordinate?

3. Self-Assessment & Mentor Sign-Off

Tick the column that reflects your confidence at the end of Session 36:

Coding & Computational Thinking Competency	With Help	Almost Alone	All By Myself!
1. I can explain what an algorithm is and why instruction sequence matters.
2. I can identify the 5 zones of Scratch (Palette, Workspace, Stage, Sprite Pane, Flag & Stop).
3. I understand how X (horizontal) and Y (vertical) coordinates position sprites.
4. I can assemble an Event, Motion, and Looks script and run it using the Green Flag.

Mentor Signature: _____________________________

Date Completed: ____________________