Programming Using Scratch-based Languages
LEGO Education provides Scratch-based graphical programming for both the Mindstorms EV3 Set and for the new SPIKE Prime Set. The SPIKE Prime software calls its Scratch-based language Word Blocks. The version of Scratch for Mindstorms EV3 is included in the EV3 Classroom software, which is available for Windows 10 64-bit, macOS Mojave and Catalina and Chromebooks.
Short Videos on Programming Using SPIKE Prime Word Blocks
Moving Tutorial
Turning and Spinning
Distance Sensor Tutorial
Colour Sensor Tutorial
Detect Natural Light Tutorial
Workshops on SPIKE Prime Programming
In Spring 2024 ORTOP offered a pair of online workshops on programming SPIKE Prime Robots using Word Blocks.
Beginning SPIKE Prime Programming
Intermediate SPIKE Prime Programming
of slides for the above sessions and more
Workshop on Coaching a FIRST LEGO League Challenge Teams Using Scratch to Program Their Robots
In 2021 ORTOP created a four-hour workshop that helps a coach or mentor learn about the programming features of EV3 Classroom and SPIKE Prime Word Blocks. The workshop is divided into four one-hour sessions. If you are new to robotics or programming you may want to focus on the material in the first two sessions and reserve the other two sessions until you and your students have more experience.
- All Slides Used in the Workshop
- Slides on converting certain version 2 blocks to version 3 equivalents At the time these workshops were created, Version 2 of the SPIKE Prime was the current version. In 2023, LEGO upgraded the app to Version 3. To simplify students' learning of programming with Word Blocks they dropped some blocks and reduced some options of other blocks. These slides describes what to do about certain Version 2 features when using Version 3.
Session 1 - Introduction, Movement and Motors
PDF of slides used in this session
Session 2 - Sensors
PDF of slides for this session
Session 3 - Program Flow Control
PDF of slides for this session
Session 4 - Variables, Lists, My Blocks, Display & Sound
PDF of slides for this session
