Junior Rasmussen
LEGO Education WeDo 2.0 is a robotics kit for kids that includes LEGO bricks, a motor, sensors, and a hub to connect to a computer or tablet. Scratch is a free visual programming language with text elements, created for educational purposes. By connecting these two tools, kids can learn robotics and programming in a fun and interactive way. To use Scratch with LEGO WeDo, you need a programming device, the LEGO WeDo kit, and the Scratch Link app. First, open the Scratch website and go to the editor. Then, select your preferred language and add the LEGO Education WeDo 2.0 extension. Finally, install and run Scratch Link on your device, and you're ready to start programming your LEGO creations!
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To program robots built from LEGO bricks |
| LEGO WeDo version | 2.0 |
| Scratch version | 3.0 |
| LEGO WeDo kit contents | Specially selected LEGO bricks, one motor, two sensors, and a hub to connect to a computer or tablet |
| Scratch features | Free, visual programming language with text elements |
| LEGO WeDo extension in Scratch | Allows projects to interact with the LEGO WeDo 2.0 Construction Set, includes six stack blocks, two hat blocks, two reporter blocks, and one boolean block |
| Programming device | PC, laptop, tablet |
| Connection status | Orange circle in the top right corner of the code menu indicates not connected, green indicates connected |
| Connection process | Click on the code menu extension button in the bottom left corner of Scratch, select the WeDo extension, click "Start Searching," press the button on the smarthub, activate Scratch Link if prompted |
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What You'll Learn
How to connect Lego Wedo 2.0 to Scratch
LEGO Education WeDo 2.0 is a great tool for primary school kids who want to learn robotics. The kit contains selected LEGO bricks and basic electronic elements: a motor, two sensors, and a hub to connect your construction with a computer or tablet. The WeDo 2.0 kits can be programmed using Scratch, a well-known and widely loved programming language.
To connect LEGO Wedo 2.0 to Scratch, you need to download the Scratch Link app on your device. Scratch Link is an add-on that allows you to connect hardware like Wedo to Scratch. You can download it directly from the Scratch website or go via Microsoft.
Once you have downloaded and installed Scratch Link, open Scratch and click on the editor. Then, click on the globe icon in the top left corner and select your preferred language. Below the block categories, you will find the blue "Add an Extension" icon. Click on it and select the "LEGO Education WeDo 2.0" extension.
To check if the Wedo Smarthub is connected to Scratch, look at the top right corner of the Wedo code menu. If the circle is orange, the Smarthub is not connected. If it's green, you're good to go. If it's orange, click on the circle to open a dialogue box and select "Start Searching". Follow the instructions and make sure to have the Smarthub handy so you can press the button when needed.
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Preparing Scratch for programming on different devices
Scratch is a visual programming language with text elements, created for educational purposes. It is a high-level, block-based visual programming language and website aimed primarily at children as an educational tool, with a target audience of ages 8 to 16. Scratch is among the best beginner coding languages and its block-based programming environment works well with many useful STEM tools.
To prepare Scratch for programming on different devices, you will need three things: a programming device (e.g. a laptop or tablet), the LEGO WeDo 2.0 kit, and Scratch installed. The LEGO WeDo 2.0 kit contains specially selected LEGO bricks and basic electronic elements: one motor, two sensors, and a hub to connect your construction with a computer or tablet.
- Open the Scratch main page and proceed to the editor.
- Click the globe icon in the top left corner and select your preferred language.
- Prepare the interface: below the block categories, find and click on the blue "Add an Extension" icon. Then, select the "LEGO Education WeDo 2.0" extension.
- Install the Scratch Link app on your device. Download the appropriate installer for your operating system from the official website and run it. The Scratch Link app is necessary to connect the WeDo 2.0 Smarthub with Scratch, so it must always run in the background while programming.
These steps will allow you to prepare Scratch for programming on different devices using the LEGO WeDo 2.0 kit.
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The benefits of using Scratch with Lego WeDo
Combining Scratch with Lego WeDo offers several benefits for those looking to learn about robotics and programming. Here are some advantages of using these tools together:
Easy to Get Started
Programming Lego Education WeDo 2.0 in Scratch 3.0 is straightforward and user-friendly. With just a few clicks, you can connect these two tools and begin your journey into robotics and programming. The simplicity of getting started lowers the barrier for beginners, making it accessible to a wide range of users.
Enhanced Learning and Fun
Using Scratch with Lego WeDo offers a fun and engaging way to learn. The combination of these tools provides a more enjoyable and interactive learning experience compared to traditional methods. Scratch's visual programming language, with its colourful blocks and text elements, makes coding intuitive and entertaining.
Increased Possibilities
Together, Scratch and Lego WeDo open up a world of possibilities. While the programming software dedicated to Lego WeDo 2.0 offers limited options, Scratch expands the horizons. It allows users to go beyond the computer screen and bring their creations to life, fostering a more tangible and exciting learning experience.
Tried and Tested
Both Scratch and Lego WeDo are established and well-regarded educational tools. They have gone through several iterations, allowing their creators to refine and improve them based on user feedback. This continuous improvement has resulted in versions that are even more beginner-friendly, offering extensive possibilities while maintaining the fun factor that has made them so popular among their users, especially children.
Accessibility and Affordability
Scratch is completely free to use, making it accessible to anyone interested in learning about programming and robotics. This removes economic barriers and ensures that anyone with a passion for technology can access these tools and develop future-relevant skills.
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$151.39
How to program Lego WeDo in Scratch
LEGO Education WeDo 2.0 is a great tool for kids who want to learn robotics. The kit contains LEGO bricks, a motor, two sensors, and a hub to connect your construction with a computer or tablet. While the programming software dedicated to WeDo 2.0 teaches kids fundamental programming commands, the overall possibilities are limited.
Fortunately, WeDo 2.0 kits can be programmed using Scratch, a well-known and widely used programming language. Scratch is a visual programming language with text elements, created for educational purposes. Both WeDo and Scratch are tried-and-tested educational tools that have gone through several iterations, improving the user experience and expanding the possibilities for beginners.
To program WeDo in Scratch, you need three things:
- A programming device (e.g., a laptop or tablet)
- The box with LEGO bricks
- Scratch installed on your device
- Open a web browser and go to scratch.mit.edu.
- Proceed to the editor.
- Click on the globe icon in the top left corner and select your preferred language.
- Prepare the interface: Below the block categories, find and click on the "Add an Extension" icon (blue).
- Select the "LEGO Education WeDo 2.0" extension.
- Install the Scratch Link app on your device. Download the appropriate installer for your operating system from the official website and run it. Scratch Link allows you to connect the WeDo 2.0 Smarthub with Scratch, so ensure it's running in the background while programming.
With Scratch and WeDo, users can learn more while having fun at the same time.
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Examples of projects using Lego WeDo and Scratch
LEGO Education WeDo 2.0 is a great tool for primary school children to learn robotics. The kit includes a selection of LEGO bricks, a motor, two sensors, and a hub to connect the construction to a computer or tablet. The programming software dedicated to WeDo 2.0 allows children to learn fundamental programming commands.
However, the overall possibilities with the dedicated software are limited. This is where Scratch comes in. Scratch is a visual programming language with text elements, created for educational purposes. It is well-known, widely loved, and completely free!
Using Scratch with WeDo 2.0 opens up a world of possibilities for children to learn more and faster while having fun. Here are some examples of projects that can be created using Scratch with WeDo 2.0:
- A simple robot: Using the LEGO bricks, motor, and sensors, children can build a basic robot and use Scratch to program it to move forward, backward, turn, and even dance!
- Interactive stories: Children can create interactive stories by building a set with LEGO bricks and using Scratch to program the characters to move and respond to sensor input. For example, they can build a castle and program a dragon to fly around and breathe fire when it hears a loud noise.
- Musical instruments: With Scratch, children can program the WeDo 2.0 sensors to act as musical instruments. They can experiment with different sounds and create their own unique compositions.
- Weather station: Using the WeDo 2.0 sensors, children can create a weather station that displays the current temperature, humidity, and even predicts the weather for the next day.
- Obstacle course: Children can build an obstacle course with LEGO bricks and program their robots to navigate through it using Scratch. They can add challenges such as avoiding obstacles, climbing hills, and crossing a finish line.
These are just a few examples of the endless possibilities that combining Scratch with LEGO WeDo offers. By bringing these two tools together, children can develop their creativity, problem-solving skills, and interest in robotics and programming.
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Frequently asked questions
Scratch is a visual programming language with text elements, created for educational purposes.
Lego Education WeDo 2.0 is a robotics kit that contains specially selected Lego bricks and basic electronic elements: one motor, two sensors, and a hub to connect your construction with a computer or tablet.
First, open Scratch and click on the code menu extension button in the bottom left corner. Scroll down and select the WeDo extension. At this point, it will try to connect to the WeDo Smarthub. If you want to pair the Smarthub immediately, click 'Start Searching' and follow the instructions.
Open the Scratch main page and proceed to the editor. Click the globe icon in the top left corner and select your preferred language. Below the block categories, find and click the 'Add an Extension' icon, then select the extension named Lego Education WeDo 2.0.
Both Scratch and Lego WeDo are tried and tested educational tools. Together, they offer huge possibilities for efficient learning and fun. Scratch is completely free, and it allows users to learn more and faster.
