Chromebooks, laptops, and PCs are crucial tools for coding and digital skills education. Chromebooks are ideal for web-based applications and collaborative projects, while laptops and PCs support a wider range of programming environments and software for more intensive tasks like software development and data analysis.
Scratch Gravity and Jumping
This lessons teaches you how to make a character jump and have gravity pull them back down to the ground in Scratch.
This lessons teaches you how to make a character jump and have gravity pull them back down to the ground in Scratch.
Create a new Scratch project and delete the cat sprite.
Go to the Scratch website using the link below and click on the 'Create' link in the blue bar at the top.
By default, each new project starts with the cat sprite already added. To delete the cat click on the x in the blue circle beside the cat in the sprite list.
Change it's size to 50% in the Sprite properties and then add the following code to the dino sprite:
when green flag clicked
set rotation style [left-right v] // this is important for when we make it move left and right later
go to x [0] y [140] // place it at the top center at the start
go to [front v] layer // make it appear over the ground sprite
To add a sprite from the sprite library follow these steps:
You can use search box or the filter links (Animals, People, Fantasy etc) to locate your sprite.
Use the sprite editor to draw a 'ground' sprite. Use the Rectangle tool to draw a green box and drag it so it covers the bottom half of the stage area.
Rename this sprite to 'ground' in the sprite properties.
You can create your own sprites using the sprite editor. To create a new sprite put your mouse over the Choose a Sprite button and then click on the paintbrush.
This create a blank sprite and will open the sprite editor where you can use the tools to create your sprite. You can even create extra costumes for your sprite!
Tip: give your sprite a name so that you can recognise it in the code blocks.
Create a variable called 'gravity' and then add the below code. This code makes the dino fall if it's not touching the ground.
when green flag clicked
set rotation style [left-right v]
go to x [0] y [140]
go to [front v] layer // add the new code under here
set [gravity v] to (0)
forever
if < not < touching (ground v) ?> > then
change y by (gravity)
change [gravity v] by (-1)
end
end
We're going to program the space bar key to make the dino jump but the dino should only be able to jump if it's touching the ground (you can't jump in mid-air!!).
Add the following code to the dino:
when green flag clicked
forever
if < < key (space v) pressed? > and < touching (ground v) ? > > then
set [gravity v] to (10) // make them go up
change y by (10) // move it so it's not touching the ground
end
end
Since your tablet or iPad doesn’t have a physical keyboard, you’ll use on-screen buttons to complete this task. Wherever the instructions in this lesson mention pressing a key, you’ll need to tap a button on the screen instead. So, while your steps are a little different, you’ll still be able to make everything happen in your project.
So for example, instead of doing either of these:
when [left arrow v] key pressed
move (10) steps
if < key [left arrow v] pressed? > then
move (10) steps
end
You need to add an on-screen button (like an arrow sprite) and use this code:
when this sprite clicked
move (10) steps
Now, just tap the button on the screen to perform the same action!
Get ready to embark on an incredible learning journey! Get access to this lesson and hundreds more in our Digital Skills Curriculum.
