Coding Contest

Coding Contest Entry Details

(Form Below)

October Theme: “The Haunted Maze”

This month’s contest invites you to design and code your very own Haunted Maze game in Scratch. Your maze should include:

  • Movement controls (arrow keys or WASD) to guide a character through the maze.

  • Collision detection so your character can’t walk through walls.

  • At least one spooky surprise (like a jump-scare sprite, hidden trap, or disappearing wall).

  • A goal or exit that makes the player win once they escape.

Bonus creativity points if you include:

  • Costume changes for your character (e.g., transforming into a monster if caught).

  • Sound effects or music to set the Halloween mood.

  • Randomized elements so each playthrough feels a little different.

This challenge encourages coders to practice movement, sensing blocks, and event handling while creating something fun and spooky.

Every month brings a fresh theme and new Scratch focus — from games, to animations, to interactive stories — so you’ll always have something exciting to build and share!

📌 How It Works

  • Age Groups:

    • 6–8 years

    • 9–12 years

    • 13–17 years
      (Additional age brackets may be created based on the number of submissions.)

  • Format:

    • Submit by uploading your Scratch project file (.sb3) only — no links or external hosting.
    • Make sure your project is fully saved and tested before uploading.
🛠️ Coding Requirements

To keep submissions focused, your project must be an interactive animation that includes:

  • At least 2 distinct sprites (characters, objects, or backgrounds related to your story)

  • A clear event or trigger that causes “the change” to happen (e.g., clicking a sprite, a timer, or a broadcast message)

  • Visible change in the project—sprite costume changes, background switches, new behaviors, or similar

  • Sound or music—at least one sound effect or background track to enhance the experience

  • User interaction—the project must require user input such as mouse clicks, keyboard presses, or other controls to progress the animation or story

  • A clear start and end (or loop) that tells your story about the change

🌟 Recommended Enhancements

  • Use custom blocks to keep your code organized and efficient

  • Utilize variables or lists to track story progress or game state

  • Add comments or notes inside Scratch to explain your code logic

  • Employ broadcast messages for clear event management

💰 Entry & Fundraising Options

    • Contest Entry Fee: $5 — grants eligibility for prizes and official judging within your age group

    • Showcase-Only Option: Submit your project for inclusion in our end-of-month digital showcase without entering the contest

🏆 Prizes

  • First Place in Each Age Group: Wins 50% of that group’s total entry fees as a cash prize

  • Showcase Perk: Winning and non-winning projects (with permission) will be featured in the digital gallery

📅 Key Dates

  • Submissions Open: October 1

  • Submission Deadline: November 1

  • Winners Announced: November 15

  • Showcase Release: TBD

📋 Judging Criteria

Projects will be evaluated on:

  • Creativity & originality in interpreting the theme

  • Effective use of Scratch features and coding best practices

  • Visual and audio presentation quality

  • Clear demonstration of “change” in the project

  • Engagement and user experience

  • Age-appropriate complexity and polish

Coding Contest Entry Form

October 2025 Coding Contest
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