Level 1: Space Talk

Official Raspberry Pi Project

This lesson is based on the official Raspberry Pi Foundation project. Open it alongside this guide to access the starter project, step-by-step instructions and community remixes.

How to use it: Click the link above, then click See Inside on the Scratch project to explore the finished version. Use Remix to get your own copy to edit.

What You Will Build

Create a space scene where characters emote and share thoughts using Looks and Sound blocks.

What You Will Learn

By the end of this project you will be able to:

• Use Events blocks to start scripts and respond to clicks
• Combine Motion, Looks and Sound blocks to create behaviours
• Use variables to track game state and scores
• Apply the specific Scratch concepts introduced in Level 1

You Will Need

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Open Scratch at scratch.mit.edu and create a new project.
2. Add a Space backdrop from the Backdrop Library.
3. Choose two space character sprites — e.g. Nano and Pico.
4. Click on Sprite 1. In the Looks tab, drag a say [ ] for [ ] secs block under when 🏳️ clicked.
5. Type a greeting in the say block, like: Greetings from space!
6. Add a play sound [Pop] block from the Sound tab.
7. Click Sprite 2. Add a when I receive [message1] block.
8. In Events, drag broadcast [message1] into Sprite 1’s script so it runs after the say block.
9. Give Sprite 2 its own say block: Incoming transmission!
10. Click the green flag to test. Both sprites should speak in turn.

Extension Challenges

Try these after completing the main project:

• Try changing the backdrop mid-scene using switch backdrop to [ ].
• Add a third sprite that reacts when it receives a broadcast.
• Experiment with think [ ] blocks for thought bubbles instead of speech.

Reflection Questions

1. Which Scratch blocks did you use most in this project?
2. What would you add or change if you had more time?
3. How could you reuse the ideas from this project in a different context?

Share Your Work

When your project is complete, click Share in Scratch and post the link to your class or the Techbase community.