Help

FAQ

Q: Stuck on a project?

Check out example completed projects here: Example projects. Let us know if you'd like to see a place where users of Programming Cells can discuss their projects.

Q: Using a tablet without a keyboard?

In Project 1 "Teach Phil to crawl", you use the keyboard to move Phil. Scratch does not have a way to bring up a tablet's virtual keyboard while playing a project. Here are a couple of ways students could use the tablet screen instead of the keyboard:

    • Teach Phil to move towards where you tap on the screen. The "point towards mouse pointer" block may help.
    • Add arrow key sprites, and teach Phil to move up, down, left or right when you tap on the arrows. The "broadcast" and "when I receive" blocks may help.

Q: Where can I learn more about Scratch?

There are great interactive tutorials and printable activity cards here: https://scratch.mit.edu/ideas .

The Scratch Wiki contains more tutorials and documentation for advanced projects. https://en.scratch-wiki.info/

Scratch Discussion Forum: https://scratch.mit.edu/discuss/

Google CS First also has excellent materials, including resources for running coding clubs:

https://csfirst.withgoogle.com/c/cs-first/en/curriculum.html

Q: Looking for more cell images?

Try out more cell sprites here: https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/285660020/

Or download cell images from the Reactome Icon Library here. Make sure to acknowledge them in your project's Credits.

Q: What prior experience is needed to complete Programming Cells?

A: No experience in computer programming is required, although familiarity with a computer is needed. Students should have some exposure to cells in a life sciences class. Programming Cells is roughly targeted towards middle school students. Younger school students will require more guidance. More advanced students could be encouraged to build more of their own projects after completing the exercises.


What should we change to improve Programming Cells? What did you like best? What should we add to Programming Cells? Please let us know here: feedback form.