Scratch Coding Competition 2021 - Now Closed
Scratch is an easy-to-use, free programming platform with the potential to create and code amazing interactive stories, games, movies, animations and presentations! Design and enter your project in the Bunjil Place Scratch Code Competition and you could win one of many great prizes – like a $100 gift voucher.
What is Scratch?
Scratch is a free and easy way to learn computer programming. Developed by MIT, Scratch is used by people of all ages and abilities. It is now widely taught in schools and is a great introduction for young people to the world of coding.
You can code and make your own fun things. Check out one of our winners from last year with this game:
How do I use Scratch?
Not sure how to use Scratch or where to begin? Not a problem, its easy and free! Check out the resources below for our recommended online workshops, videos, plus example activities and practise spaces.
The Competition – Open again for 2021!
Using the Scratch coding platform, create an original game. This year we would love you to respond to the theme – ‘Bunjil Place helps my wellbeing’.
Entries will be scored out of 100 points, as follows:
- Coding skill: The proficiency and complexity of the programming – 40 points
- Creativity: The design and look of the game, and the extras added – 25 points
- Playability: How well and efficiently the game plays – 20 points
- Theme: Does it link to the wellness theme? Does it link to Bunjil Place? – 5 points
- Wow factor: Judges’ discretion – 10 points
The only limit to what you can code and submit is your creativity!
Entrants can compete in one of three age groups: 5-8 years, 9-11 years, 12-14 years.
Entries will be judged independently by Chad Toprak, the director of Freeplay, the world’s largest independent games festival.
How to enter? - This competition is now closed.
i. Create a Scratch Account.
ii. Create your game using the Scratch editor.
iii. Ensure that it is Bunjil Place wellness themed and original.
iv. Click on the ‘Copy Link’ link below your program.
v. Copy the URL.
vi. Submit URL to [email protected]. Don’t forget to include your name, age, contact number and suburb with postcode.
vii. Read and agree to Entrant Terms & Conditions.
All entries due 31st October 2021 23:59. Winners will be announced in November 2021 and contacted to redeem prizes.
Games can be hosted on the Bunjil Place website and in the Bunjil Place Scratch Studio, as well as a possibility of seeing the game on the Plaza Outdoor Screen.
View the winning games from 2020 for inspiration!
Get Started
Visit Scratch and watch their Getting Started video
Want more coding?
Loving Scratch and want to do more? Join our Library Code Club!
The Bunjil Place Library Code Club is part of Code Club Australia, a partner of the 2021 Scratch Competition. Code Club AU is home to many great tutorials and easy to follow game modules. October is wellness month at Code Club AU, so why not check out their new modules to help inspire your game?
Our judge - Chad Toprak
Chad Toprak is an experimental game designer, independent curator, and director of Freeplay, the world's longest-running independent games festival. Chad has strong connections to Melbourne's independent games scenes through his curatorial work with Hovergarden, Melbourne’s videogame curatorial duo, and the Contours exhibition, which highlights emerging contemporary Australian independent games. He was named in Develop Pacific’s inaugural 30 Under Thirty list for 2018 and is a recipient of the 2014 IGDA Scholars program and the 2020 Game Devs of Colour scholarship. In the past, Chad has worked on award winning games such as Turnover, the four-player multi-gravity steal-the-ball-n-run frenzy; Cart-Load-O-Fun, a two-player collaborative physical game designed for trains and trams; Dualcyon, the experimental Leap Motion & VR puzzle game for two; and This Is Not A VR Game, an audio-only VR performance. Chad is a first generation Turkish-Australian Muslim immigrant.
Freeplay is the world’s longest-running independent games festival, located in Melbourne, Australia. Established in 2004, the festival embraces the fringes, spotlights grassroots artists and game makers, celebrates the artistry of independent games, and acts as a response to and critique of the status quo. For over 16 years, Freeplay has been exploring the vital margins of independent, alternative, and experimental games culture. The festival continues to champion artistic exploration and experimentation in games and play, and positions game making as arts practice.
Resources
Check out these extra guides and resources that can help you to create your Scratch game.
Getting to Know the Basics
Once you have created an account with Scratch, why not practise using some of the blocks? There are plenty of free online courses, workbooks and videos you can watch online. Here are some of our recommendations:
Video Tutorials:
Free Online Scratch Courses:
- Code Club Australia Scratch Modules
- Coder Dojo Scratch Modules
- Delft University of Technology, Scratch for Kids (8+) course
Free Online Workshops and Workbooks:
Game Ideas:
Ok! You now feel comfortable in Scratch but you need a game idea. Why not try some of these?
Feeling Confident?
Now you have the hang of it, send us your entry, we can't wait to see it!
