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Scratch Encore is a collaboration between the University of Chicago, University of Maryland, and the Chicago Public Schools (CPS).

Phase 1: We created a curriculum, Scratch Encore, intended for 4th-8th grade classrooms. Our goal was to equally support students' technical development (through scaffolded projects) and engagement (through themed scaffolded projects and open-ended projects). Scratch Encore provides three theme choices for every structured project so teachers can choose the project they think their students will enjoy and identify with the most.

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Phase 2: We are currently creating resources for teachers so they can customize structured projects for their own projects. From a military town in New Jersey, to a rural town in Butte, to a community in urban Chicago, teachers are encouraged to brainstorm what would appeal to their students. We then give them resources, even leveraging generative AI, to create customized Scratch projects and student-facing materials. 

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What have teachers made? A Thanksgiving project just a few days before class, a project about a local festival, and many more!