Contents
Quick Start
NOTE: there is an issue with ScratchX and the current version of the Scratch Browser Plug-in. As a temporary workaround, please install the previous version of the extension for Mac or Windows.
To use the extension, upload the StandardFirmata program to your Arduino board, install the Scratch Browser Plugin (see notes below for Firefox and for Chrome), and then open the Arduino extension on ScratchX.org.
Introduction
This Scratch extension lets you interact with the physical world using an Arduino board. For example, you can control lights and motors or measure light and temperature. The extension communicates with an Arduino board running the Firmata firmware.
Arduino board with a Grove LED, button, and temperature sensor.
Equipment
You need:
- Arduino board
- Like the Arduino Uno.
- USB Cable
- Full-sized
- Electronic components
- We recommend the Grove starter kit for Arduino (made by Seeed Studio). You can buy it from Maker Shed in the U.S. For other options, see working with basic electronic components below.
- Upload the StandardFirmata firmware to your Arduino using codebender or the Arduino IDE
- Install the Scratch Extensions Browser Plugin
- Load the Arduino extension on ScratchX
- Install the codebender plugin:
On Chrome/Chromium, install the codebender app in the Chrome Web Store
On Firefox, install the codebender Add-on - (Windows only) install the device drivers
- Connect the Arduino to your computer's USB port
- Make sure the correct board and serial port is selected in the codebender window below and click "Run on Arduino"
- Download and install the Arduino software (Windows instructions, Mac instructions)
- Connect the Arduino to your computer's USB port
- Open the Arduino software
- Go to File > Examples > Firmata > Standard Firmata
- Select your Arduino board from the Tools > Board menu
- Select your serial port from the Tools > Port menu.
On Mac, it's something like /dev/tty.usbmodem-1511.
On Windows, it's probably the highest-numbered COM port.
(Or unplug the Arduino, check the menu, and then replug your Arduino and see what new port appears.)
- Click the upload button
- A0, A1, A2, A3
- Analog inputs that read from sensors, like the light sensor, temperature sensor, and rotation knob.
- D2, D3, D4, D5, D6, D7, D8
- Digital connections that control LEDs and servo motors and read from push buttons. To fade an LED (not just turn it on and off), use D3, D5, or D6.
- I2C and UART
- These are more complex connections that we don't use in the extension yet.
- Blink an LED
- Make an LED blink on and off
- Fade an LED
- Fade an LED brightness
- Button
- Pressing and releasing a button
- Rotation Knob
- Reading analog input from a rotation knob
- Light Sensor
- Reading analog input from a light sensor
- Adjusting LED with Rotation Knob
- Adjust the brightness of an LED by turning a rotation knob
- Swing a Servo
- Swinging a servo motor back and forth
Getting Started
The steps for getting started with the extension are:
Uploading StandardFirmata using codebender
On Mac, the serial number will be something like /dev/tty.usbmodem-1511.
On Windows, the serial number will probably be the highest-numbered COM port.
(Or unplug the Arduino, check the menu, and then replug your Arduino and see what new port appears.)
Uploading StandardFirmata using Arduino IDE
Install the Scratch Extensions Browser Plugin
Download and install the Scratch Extensions Browser PluginLoad the Arduino extension on ScratchX
Launch the extension by going to the following URL:
http://scratchx.org/?url=http://Akiragogo.github.io/Freadarduino/Scratch_Freadarduino.jsSee the next section, Supported Languages, for information on alternate block tanslations.
On Firefox, you might see "Allow scratchx.org to run "Scratch Device?". Click "Allow...".
You might see another message, "Allow scratchx.org to run plugins?". Set both Adobe Flash and Scratch Device to "Allow and Remember" and click okay.
On Chrome, you'll need to enable NPAPI plugins. Go to chrome://flags/#enable-npapi and click enable:
Then, click "Relaunch Now" button:
Then, when you go to ScratchX.org, you should see a puzzle piece icon with an X on it: 
. Click on it and select "Always allow plug-ins on scratchx.org":
When you see the indicator light in the "More Blocks" tab turn green your ready to start using the extension!
Now take a look at the Scratch Blocks and the example projects to learn how to use the extension.
Supported Languages
Block translations have been provided for the following languages:
el - Greek (Eλληνικά)
en - English
es - Spanish (español)
it - Italian (Italiano)
ja - Japanese (日本語)
nb - Norwegian (Bokmal)
nl - Dutch (Nederlands)
pt - Portuguese (Português)
To set the block language, change the 'lang' query string in the ScratchX URL to one of the supported language codes.
e.g.
http://scratchx.org?url=http://khanning.github.io/scratch-arduino-extension/arduino_extension.js&lang=de
If you would like to provide block translations for another language see the Github issue.
Grove Modules
Grove Base Shield
The Grove Base Shield (V2) connects your Arduino board to the other Grove modules. It has different kinds of connections:
To connect a module to the shield, plug one of the Grove cables into the white connector on the module and one of the connectors on the shield. The cable only goes into the connector one way.
Grove Button
A button you can press
Grove Light Sensor
Measures light
Grove Rotation Knob
Control things by rotating the knob
Grove Temperature Sensor
Measures temperature
Grove LED
A small light
Grove Servo Motor
Moves its arm back and forth
Working w/ Basic Electronic Components
Coming soon...Scratch Blocks
This is a brief description of each of the Scratch blocks included with the Arduino extension.
Runs when the device is connected
Connects an LED, button, or servo to a digital connection (D2, D3, D4, D5, D6, D7, D8).
Connects a rotation knob, light sensor, or temperature sensor to an analog connection (A0, A1, A2, A3).
Turns an LED on or off.
Sets an LED to a specified brightness from 0 - 100%.
Changes the current LED brightness by a specified amount.
Rotates a servo to a specified location from 0 - 180 degrees.
Changes a servo's current rotation by a specified amount.
Runs when a button is pressed or released.
Checks if a button is currently pressed.
Runs when a rotation knob, light sensor, or temperator sensor meet a certain condition.
Reads the current value of a rotation knob, light sensor, or temperature sensor. Value will be between 0 - 100.
Turns a digital connection (D2, D3, D4, D5, D6, D7, D8) on or off.
Sets a capable digital connection (D3, D5, D6) to a value from 0 - 100%.
Runs when a digital connection (D2, D3, D4, D5, D6, D7, D8) is turned on or off.
Checks if a digital connection (D2, D3, D4, D5, D6, D7, D8) is on or off.
Runs when an analog connection (A0, A1, A2, A3) meets a certain condition.
Checks the current value of an analog connection (A0, A1, A2, A3).
Maps a value between two ranges of numbers. This example might be used to map an analog sensor's value (0 to 100) to a sprite's x position (-240 to 240).