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WeDo/Scratch MiniGuide

Contributed by Karen Brennan, October 01, 2009
A one-page guide to getting started with WeDo and Scratch.
  • Original Author: Karen Brennan
  • Education Level: Preschool and Kindergarten, Elementary School, Middle School, High School, College and University, Professional Development, Other
  • Content Types: Handout, Reference Guide, Tool, Website
  • Curricular Areas: Computer Science, Engineering, Language Arts, Mathematics, Music, Science, Social Studies, Teacher Education, Technology, Visual Arts, Other
  • Keywords: robotics, WeDo, lego

Scratch version 1.4 has special programming blocks to interact with motors and sensors in your LEGO WeDo robotic creations.

This guide is intended to be a quick overview of the WeDo components (controller, motor, distance and tilt sensors) and how to control them via Scratch.

  • Controller: Connect the WeDo controller to your computer via USB. Start Scratch.
  • Motor: The WeDo motor blocks should be visible in the Motion category. If not, select Show Motor Blocks from the Edit menu. You can use the blocks to turn the motor on and off, set the motor power, and set the motor direction.
  • Distance Sensor: The distance sensor can be used to determine proximity, where 0 is close and 100 is far. Use the sensor value block in the Sensing category, selecting distance from the pull-down menu.
  • Tilt Sensor: The tilt sensor can be used to determine orientation, where 0 is flat, 1 is down, 2 is right, 3 is up, and 4 is left. Use the sensor value block in the Sensing category, selecting tilt from the pull-down menu.
Resource Files
Other Files: 
application/postscript iconWeDoMiniguide.ai
application/pdf iconWeDoMiniguide.pdf
Links: 
LEGO WeDo site
Comments
Paolo Giovanni Zanin
Member
January 12, 2010

Thanks for the WeDo mini guide.

Does Scratch support labelling of two motors on the same usb controller, like wedo software?

Thanks,

 

Paolo

Karen Brennan
Member
January 12, 2010

Not at this time, unfortunately.

Steve Fines
Member
December 31, 2009

 Hello,

 

Just got my Wedo kit and have started playing around with the sensors / motors.

 

This setup is fantastic - plug and play programmable robotics, using the legos that every 2 year old knows how to use. Great stuff.

 

Quick question:

The Wedo usb controller allows two things to be plugged in at once (i.e. one motor and one tilt sensor). If I purchase another Wedo usb controller would I be able to control 4 things at the same time?

 

thanks,

 

Karen Brennan
Member
December 31, 2009

As far as I know, Scratch can only support one USB controller at a time. 

Joyce Teibel
Member
December 29, 2009

Natalie,

Thanks for the WeDo mini guide.  Keith Braafladt did a session on WeDo at the TIES Technology conference recently.  It was interesting to learn that schools with lego supplies can get started with WeDo activities by purchasing the WeDo sensors only (not the complete kits,) and then using the appropriate Scratch blocks. For kids who know Scratch already, this will be a fun way to extend their Scratch capabilities.

Joyce Teibel

Natalie Rusk
Member
December 05, 2009

Here's a version of the WeDo / Scratch MiniGuide that includes images of the Scratch blocks:

WeDoScratchMiniGuide.pdf
WeDoScratchMiniGuide.ai

Please let us know if you have any suggestions.

Thanks and WeDo / Scratch on!

Natalie