Scratch

Logo since Scratch 3.0.

*For the scratch logo. go here.*

**Scratch** is a free, educational, block-based programming language that is developed by the Lifelong Kindergarten Group at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). The current version, 3.0, can be used in the online editor here or downloaded here (the previous version, 2.0, can be downloaded here). It is targeted towards kids ages 8–16.

Scratch is designed to be fun, educational, and easy to learn. It has tools for creating interactive stories, games, art, simulations, and more. Users program in Scratch by dragging blocks from the block palette and attaching them to other blocks like a jigsaw puzzle. Many connected blocks are called scripts. These scripts then control sprites that can perform actions on the stage. This method of programming (building code with blocks) is referred to as "drag-and-drop programming". Scratch also has its own built-in paint editor and sound editor.

Projects that users create can be shared to the Scratch Website, making them visible to everyone. One of the core features of Scratch is remixing, in which users can change and re-share other users' projects. Users can communicate and discuss in the Scratch community by posting comments and using the Discussion Forums. There are currently over 112 million registered users and 135 million shared projects.

## History

Scratch was first launched as a desktop application in 2007 by the Lifelong Kindergarten Group at the MIT Media Lab. Inspired by the early programming language Logo, Scratch was developed as an open source, block-based platform to support a wide range of creative expression.

Upon the release of Scratch 2.0 in 2013, the website and User Interface were changed. Scratch continued to grow, achieving 30 million users and projects in 2018. Scratch 3.0, which was released on January 2, 2019, updated the look and feel of the website and editor and added many new features, such as new extensions.

Because of the growth of the Scratch community, the Scratch Foundation was created and it has led the design, development, and support of Scratch since March 2019. MIT will continue to collaborate closely with the Scratch Foundation.

## Stats.

* 136,673,383 projects shared,
* 112,713,751 users registered,
* 836,275,941 comments posted,
* 33,139,590 studios created
* …and growing!

## Motto

Scratch's motto is "Imagine, Program, Share". This follows the basic principle of creating a project: one comes up with an idea ("Imagine"), programs the idea in Scratch ("Program"), and then publishes it in the community ("Share")

## Scratch Jr

ScratchJr is a programming language based on Scratch that utilizes visual-centric content to introduce 5 to 7-year-olds (its intended audience) to the programming world. It was developed in part by some members of the Scratch Team, and it is available on iOS and Android as a mobile app.

## PBS Kids ScratchJr

**PBS Kids ScratchJr** is an official modified version of the ScratchJr app, released on April 4, 2017. It uses various assets and characters PBS Kids shows, including Wild Kratts, Word Girl, and Arthur, in its pre-existing sprites, backdrops, and projects.

This can be compared to how Cartoon Network promoted its shows on Scratch.