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In 2016, France Éducation nationale officially introduced programming and algorithmic into middle school level curriculum : during their 5e, 4e, 3e periods [1], kids are expected to "get started with programming, by developing a few simple programs in a project approach, without aiming for expert level and exhaustive knowledge of a specific language" [2a].

Such "simple programs" are games : "going through a maze, drawing on the screen, Three-character game, Pong game, Coin game, Tic tac toe game" [2b][2c].

Though no "specific language" is explicitely specified in the curriculum, Scratch is used.

As a matter of fact, the first Scratch exercice at Brevet (nation wide examination taking place at the end of 3e) was issued for the 2017 session and was about "drawing on the screen" [2d].

Since then, several non-for-profit organisations have been created to deliver resources to program games with Scratch in view to assist Éducation nationale teachers in their mission.

Le Nuit du Code [3] is one of them. Middle schools and high schools are invited to form teams with their pupils and run a nation wide hackhaton taking place annually.

Samples of kids outputs from La Nuit du Code Scratch Studio

[1] US educational system : grade 7 to 9 .

[2a] "S’initie[r] à la programmation, en développant dans une démarche de projet quelques programmes simples, sans viser une connaissance experte et exhaustive d'un logiciel" page 137 Algorithmique et programmation", Programme du cycle 4 publié au BO n°31 du 30 juillet 2020

[2b] "Parcours dans un labyrinthe, Programmation d'un dessin à l'écran, Jeu à trois personnages, Jeu de pong, Jeu de pièces, Jeu tic tac toe" page 137 Algorithmique et programmation", Programme du cycle 4 publié au BO n°31 du 30 juillet 2020

[2c] Design didactique : programmation au collège (cycle 3 et cycle 4), Le sens et le goût des maths au collège, fév 2024

[2d] Sujet et corrigé de l'épreuve de Mathématiques du DNB du 29 juin 2017, Académie de Poitiers, 07/07/2017

[3a] La Nuit du Code, official site

[3b] La Nuit du Code Scatch Studio, scratch.mit.edu