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Setup

Setup

Course progressStage 0 of 10
~45 min
Your workspace

Keep your Scratch project tab open all week. Open in a new tab so you don’t leave the course.

Build your gameScratchOpen in a new tab ↗Try the finished versionLive reference gameOpen in a new tab ↗
Build

a Scratch account and a saved blank Geometry Dash project

Learn

where Scratch lives, how to save, and how this original course avoids copied assets

Ship

a workspace ready for the cube-runner build

Teacher demo
  1. Open Scratch and click Create.
  2. Show the editor panels: blocks, code area, stage, and sprite pane.
  3. Save a blank project named Geometry Dash - Coach Demo.
  4. Explain that the course is inspired by cube-runner games, but students will make original art.

The big idea

This course builds one Scratch project all week: an original neon cube runner. The cube jumps, spikes scroll toward it, portals change the rules, and the final screen shows how far the player made it.

The images in the lessons are target examples. Students may use the shapes as references or draw their own assets in Scratch. The important rule is consistency: keep sprite and variable names the same so the code still works.

New words
Scratch
the free website where we build the game
project
the saved game file in your Scratch account
sprite
a character or object on the stage
original asset
art you make yourself instead of copying from a game
Generated course preview moments
Four neon rhythm-platformer course moments

These generated images show the style target. Students can still draw their own cube, spikes, portals, and backdrop inside Scratch.

Course asset examples
Original cube runner sprite
Cube Runner
Original spike obstacle
Spike
Original portal sprite
Portal
Original neon backdrop
Neon Backdrop

Use these as visual targets. In the build stages, students also learn how to draw their own Scratch versions.

Use the examples

Follow the target shapes shown here so your scripts match the lesson quickly.

Make your own

Draw a custom cube, spikes, portal, or backdrop in Scratch. Keep the same sprite names so the code still works.

Download course assets
Cube Runner

Player sprite reference or upload.

DownloadOpen
Spike

Obstacle sprite reference or upload.

DownloadOpen
Portal

Gravity portal reference or upload.

DownloadOpen
Neon Backdrop

Stage backdrop reference or upload.

DownloadOpen
Hero Preview

Course style reference.

DownloadOpen
Moment Sheet

Four gameplay moment references.

DownloadOpen

To import: download the asset, open Scratch, choose Upload Sprite, Upload Backdrop, or Upload Costume, then select the file. You can also draw your own instead. Keep the required sprite names from the lesson.

Build it

Step 1 - Open Scratch

Go to Scratch, sign in, and click Create. If your camp gave you an account, use that account.

Step 2 - Save the project

Name the project exactly like this, using the student's real name:

Geometry Dash - First Last

Step 3 - Find the editor panels

Point to the block palette, code area, stage, and sprite pane. You will use all four every day.

Step 4 - Make the asset choice

Decide whether to follow the target visuals closely or draw a custom theme. Either choice works.

Test your setup

  • You are signed in to Scratch.
  • Your project is named Geometry Dash - First Last.
  • You clicked File, then Save Now.
  • You can point to the stage, sprite pane, block palette, and code area.
  • You understand that the final game will use original student-made or course-example assets.

If it breaks

  • If the project is missing, sign in and check My Stuff.
  • If Scratch will not create an account, ask a coach for the camp account plan.
  • If the name is wrong, rename it now. Coaches need predictable project names.
Coach notes

Keep the IP guidance simple: this is a Geometry Dash-inspired course, but students are building original cube-runner art and code in Scratch. Do not have students import official logos, screenshots, or character art.