Scratch 3.0 was released at the start of the New Year. Scratch users have been raving about the upgraded Platform with many new features. It has expanded what you can create with Scratch and what devices can access Scratch. Some features include:

• Many new Sprites (characters)

• A new sound editor

• Many new blocks

• New extensions and opportunities to connect devices to Scratch

• Compatible with Ipads/tablets

With the start of a new platform comes a new learning curve. This can be daunting sometimes, but by giving students the experience to code in a content area class we are helping foster crucial 21st Century Skills such as, thinking creatively, creating, collaborating with peers, and thinking critically/systematically.

Check out this sequence of video tutorials and challenges you can present to students to help them familiarize themselves with Scratch from a math lense. Computer science can be a vehicle to intentionally target and solidify math skills. We are not looking to replace traditional math, rather infuse career-ready applications of math and exposure to the principles of computer science. Once students or teachers have completed this series of lessons they will be able to do any Scratch projects that CSandMath offers.

If you are feeling stuck or would like to see some answers to these challenges. Email us, we would be happy to help and share!

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-Ashley Tewes