[Thoughts] 2024 Hualien County Cat Cup Scratch Animation and Interactive Game Competition

The cover image was generated by ChatGPT.

Programming has been incorporated into Taiwan’s 12-Year Basic Education Curriculum as an essential skill for future talents. Through coding, students can not only develop systems thinking, logical reasoning, and problem-solving abilities, but also cultivate aesthetics, digital literacy, and innovative adaptability during the creative process. The Hualien County Information Education Competition is designed with these goals in mind, aiming to stimulate students’ computational thinking and problem-solving potential by requiring them to design animations and games using the intuitive Scratch programming language.

Reflecting on my own experiences participating in similar competitions during junior high, combined with the programming logic skills I developed in college, I felt both excited and responsible when I took on the important role of guiding students for this competition. As in my previous competition experiences, we conducted training sessions during lunch breaks and after school, and intensified practice sessions on weekends before the contest. Even at home, we continued to discuss and debug programs in online classes. When correct commands merged with boundless imagination, students were able to create unique games and animations. Out of over a hundred teams, two student groups stood out and successfully advanced to the semifinals. This experience deeply reminded me that opportunities are always given to those who prepare diligently, and I am grateful that I had devoted time and effort to learning and practicing in this field.

During the guidance process, I not only helped students master programming skills but also encouraged them to observe problems, brainstorm and discuss potential solutions, and transform their ideas into tangible results through action. Seeing students present their works and confidently share their achievements brought me immense satisfaction. At the same time, to grow alongside my students, I actively participated in Scratch workshops, absorbing the experiences and teaching methods of mentors, which allowed me to continuously improve my own abilities through reciprocal learning.

At the end of February, I led the students to the semifinals, and both teams received honorable mentions at the county level. While the awards were gratifying, the true value lay in witnessing the students’ focus, creativity, and dedication throughout the competition. This experience has further strengthened my belief that education is not only about imparting knowledge, but also about accompanying students on a journey of exploration, experimentation, and realizing their dreams. As a guiding teacher, being able to grow alongside students and face challenges together is the most touching and meaningful reward of all.

Photo Dump

See Also

• Hualien County Government Department of Education Announcements.
• Certificates.