Scratch Maths
Scratch broadcast messages maths mission
A practical mini-mission using broadcast messages to practise sequencing through questions, examples and child-friendly challenges.
Quick answer
Scratch broadcast messages help you send instructions to other sprites so they can follow a sequence of steps in the right order. You can use them to create fun maths missions where one sprite asks a question, and another sprite gives the answer.Learning outcome
By the end of this page, you will be able to use Scratch broadcast messages to create a maths mission where one sprite asks a question and another sprite gives the answer in the right order. Success signs:- You can create a sprite that sends a message to another sprite
- You can make a sequence of questions and answers
- You can use the "when I receive" block to respond to messages
- You can test your mission and make it work correctly
Why this matters
In Scratch, broadcast messages are like sending a note to your friends. When you send a message, other sprites can listen and respond. This is great for making maths missions because it helps you plan a clear sequence of steps. You can use this to teach others how to solve problems or make your own fun maths games. It also helps you understand how to make a series of instructions that work in the right order.How it works
Think of broadcast messages like a game of telephone. You start by sending a message, and another sprite hears it and does something. This is how you can make a maths mission where one sprite asks a question and another gives the answer. Here are the simple steps:- Make a sprite that asks a maths question
- Use the "broadcast" block to send a message
- Make another sprite that listens for that message
- Use the "when I receive" block to start an action
- Have that sprite give the answer to the question
- Repeat to make a sequence of questions and answers
Examples you can see
Let’s imagine you are making a maths mission in Scratch. Here’s how it works: Example 1: The Magic Number Quest- Sprite 1 says: "What is 5 + 3?"
- Sprite 1 uses the "broadcast" block to send the message "Question 1"
- Sprite 2 listens for "Question 1" and says: "The answer is 8"
- Sprite 1 says: "What shape has 4 sides and 4 corners?"
- Sprite 1 broadcasts "Shape Question"
- Sprite 2 listens and says: "It's a square!"
- Sprite 1 says: "What time is 2 hours after 3:00?"
- Sprite 1 broadcasts "Time Question"
- Sprite 2 listens and says: "It's 5:00!"
Try it as a mini adventure
Adventure: The Maths Mission Challenge You are a maths explorer who has found a treasure map in Scratch. The map shows a series of clues that lead to a hidden treasure. Each clue is a maths question, and each answer unlocks the next step. Step 1: Create a sprite that says "What is 6 + 4?" and sends a message called "First Clue" Step 2: Create another sprite that listens for "First Clue" and says "The answer is 10" Step 3: Add a second clue: "What is 9 - 3?" and send a message called "Second Clue" Step 4: Make the second sprite listen for "Second Clue" and say "The answer is 6" Step 5: Keep going to create a sequence of 3 clues and answers Step 6: Test your mission by running it and seeing if the messages work in order Step 7: Add a treasure sprite that appears when the last message is receivedCommon mistakes
- Mistake: Forgetting to use the "when I receive" block
Why it happens: The sprite doesn't know what to do when it receives a message
Fix: Always add a "when I receive" block before any actions - Mistake: Sending a message with a wrong name
Why it happens: The other sprite is listening for a different message name
Fix: Make sure the message name is exactly the same in both places - Mistake: Not using broadcast blocks correctly
Why it happens: The sprite doesn't know how to send a message
Fix: Use the "broadcast" block from the Events menu - Mistake: Not making the sequence clear
Why it happens: The messages don't follow a logical order
Fix: Plan your questions and answers in order before coding
Parent and carer guide
How to help your child:- Encourage them to plan their mission before coding
- Ask questions like: "What order should the questions go in?" or "What will happen when the message is received?"
- Help them test their mission step by step
- Make it fun by using their interests: sports, animals, or games
- Let them try different messages and see what happens
- Are they using the correct blocks for sending and receiving messages?
- Are they making sure the message names match?
- Are they creating a clear sequence of questions and answers?
- It's okay if they make mistakes – they're learning!
- They don't need to know all the code at once
- It's normal for their mission to take a few tries to work
Practice questions
- What block do you use to send a message in Scratch?
- What block do you use to make a sprite respond to a message?
- What is the name of the menu where you find the broadcast block?
- How many messages can you send in one mission?
- What happens if you send a message but no sprite is listening?
- The "broadcast" block
- The "when I receive" block
- The Events menu
- Any number you want
- Nothing happens, but the message is sent
FAQ
What is a broadcast message in Scratch?
A broadcast message is a way to send a note from one sprite to another in Scratch. It's like telling a friend to do something when you say a certain word.
Can I use broadcast messages for anything else besides maths?
Yes! You can use broadcast messages for games, stories, puzzles, or any activity where you want sprites to work together.
How do I know if my message is working?
Run your project and see if the second sprite responds when the first one sends the message.
Do I need to name my messages?
Yes, you need to give each message a name so the other sprites know what to listen for.
Can I use the same message more than once?
Yes! You can send the same message multiple times in your mission.