ScratchJr Tangible Prototypes
DevTech’s new project, ScratchJr Tangible, explores how to create a coding playground with ScratchJr that extends beyond the screen. The two prototypes being developed are ScratchJr Blocks and ScratchJr Bots. ScratchJr Blocks allows the coding experience to be done off-screen, and ScratchJr Bots takes the app’s output off-screen by empowering ScratchJr coders to program a physical robot. Both prototypes are still early in their design phase and not ready to be widely implemented in educational settings.
ScratchJr Blocks
With ScratchJr Blocks, children can engage with physical blocks to program in a hands-on, collaborative, and screen-free way. When their programs are ready, children can then utilize the camera feature of their device to scan their programs and bring their digital stories and games to life. ScratchJr Blocks blocks can be made from paper, cardboard or clay using our ScratchJr Blocks Stencils, or they can be 3D printed or laser cut using our ScratchJr Blocks open source design files.
ScratchJr Bots
ScratchJr Bots empowers children to program and interact with a physical robot, witnessing their code come to life in real-time. With ScratchJr Robotics, children can unleash their creativity by not only coding the robot’s behavior but also customizing its aesthetic appearance, facilitating the exploration of robotics through avenues such as storytelling, game design, and beyond.
Upcoming Events
ScratchJr Bots Summer Camp 2025
The DevTech Research Group will be hosting the ScratchJr Bots Summer Camp for children entering Kindergarten through Fourth grade interested in exploring programming and robotics during summer vacation.
The two weeks of Bots camp will include learning about ScratchJr, a visual, block-based programming app for young children, and ScratchJr Bots, a robot programmed by ScratchJr, that can be constructed and designed by young children. These sessions will teach these technologies using the Coding as Another Language curriculum developed by the DevTech Research Group. There also will be students from 5th to 7th grade in mentorship roles to collaborate and guide the campers through their ScratchJr Bots exploration.
The Summer Camp will be hosted in person at DevTech’s early childhood makerspace located in Carney Hall Room 306 on the Boston College Campus. We will run two – one week sessions.
Session 1: Monday to Thursday, June 30th – July 3rd 2025 (9:00am to 12:00pm)
Session 2: Monday to Friday, July 7th – July 11th 2025 (9:00am to 12:00pm).
Campers are only permitted to attend one of the two sessions. Please complete one sign up form per child. The price of enrollment is $100/session. We are unable to provide refunds. If you have questions: please email Caleb Weinstock, DevTech lab manager, at caleb.weinstock@bc.edu.
ScratchJr Bots Camp 2025 – Young Mentor Opportunity
The DevTech Research Group will be hosting the ScratchJr Bots Summer Camp for young children and, for the first time, is offering an opportunity for older kids entering 5th, 6th, and 7th grade who are interested in robotics and programming, and developing mentorship skills for younger students. Mentors will get to test and play with DevTech’s new prototype, ScratchJr Bots, they will learn hands-on about electronics and the Microbit technology, and they will help facilitate the robotics experience of their younger peers. This is the perfect opportunity for those who want to learn robotics/electronics skills and mentorship skills, in the context of a storytelling activity.
The Summer Camp will be hosted in person at DevTech’s early childhood makerspace located in Carney Hall Room 306 on the Boston College Campus. We will run two – one week sessions.
Session 1: Monday to Thursday, June 30th – July 3rd 2025 (9:00am to 12:00pm)
Session 2: Monday to Friday, July 7th – July 11th 2025 (9:00am to 12:00pm).
Please complete one sign up form per child. The price of enrollment is $100/session. We are unable to provide refunds. If you have questions: please email Caleb Weinstock, DevTech lab manager, at caleb.weinstock@bc.edu.