Can you, the programmer, direct your partner to successfully create pixel art using simple instructions? Explore how to write an algorithm, or sequence of instructions, in this paired activity.

Design a simple maze using Lego bricks. Now, using four commands: move forward, move backward, turn left, and turn right, can you direct a character through the maze successfully by writing an algorithm on a piece of paper?

Making faces using everyday objects and objects of significance to make portraits is an idea that comes from the artist Hanoch Piven, who makes highly expressive portraits using found objects! You can learn more here. Once you have created a face, try bringing them to life in Scratch using stop motion techniques. Moving from unplugged to digital provides the opportunity to expand your creative expression and transform your original creation.

To start this activity, first you’ll want to gather items you feel could make up parts of a face. The items can either have special meaning and/or represent something about you or your life, or they can simply be fun and interesting objects.