How 15 Years of Teaching Scratch Confirms What Research Proves About Creative Coding

For fifteen years MakeInspires has used Scratch as a foundational tool in our STEAM programs. Scratch has consistently empowered young people to build, imagine, collaborate, and problem-solve in ways that deepen their understanding of both coding and the world around them.

Recently, a peer-reviewed study examined how Scratch-based activities integrated into the 5E Learning Model impacted 6th-grade students’ computational thinking skills, programming self-efficacy, and overall attitudes toward learning. The findings closely mirror what MakeInspires educators have observed firsthand for years: Scratch doesn’t just teach coding: it develops confident, creative thinkers.

The research found significant growth in students’ computational thinking, especially in creativity and collaboration. Students developed stronger abilities to break problems into steps, analyze outcomes, and iterate on their ideas. This is exactly the type of learning we see in every Scratch class at MakeInspires. When students create games, animations, or simulations, they naturally practice the essential habits of computational thinking without even realizing it.

Another key finding was a measurable increase in students’ self-efficacy and their belief in their own ability to learn and succeed in coding. This is something we witness at MakeInspires every day. A child may begin class saying, “I don’t think I can do this,” but by the end, they proudly present a working project they designed themselves. Scratch’s visual, playful structure allows students to experience quick wins, experiment freely, and understand that mistakes are part of learning. For example, there was a student who showed his parents how to design a video game all on their own during their winter break. Parents were in shock that their elementary aged child created a pac-man video game. The study also revealed that students genuinely enjoy Scratch-based learning. They rated the activities as fun, interesting, and valuable for their personal growth. Even when tasks became challenging, students remained engaged, a pattern that perfectly reflects our own decade-long experience. Scratch blends creativity and logic in a way that excites learners, keeps them motivated, and encourages them to persist through challenges.

Finally, the research demonstrated how effectively Scratch can be integrated into science instruction. By modeling force, motion, speed, and graphs through Scratch, students developed deeper conceptual understanding. At MakeInspires, we extend this integration across multiple subjects: physics, engineering, math, literacy, digital art, and more. Scratch becomes a tool not just for coding, but for thinking, modeling, and exploring ideas in meaningful ways.

These findings reinforce what we have known for 15 years: when children learn through Scratch, they grow as thinkers, creators, and collaborators. They become more confident in their abilities and more excited about exploring STEM concepts. Scratch builds the foundational skills young learners need in a future shaped by technology, creativity, and innovation.

We invite families, educators, and community partners to see how our Scratch-based programs help students not only learn to code, but learn to think critically and creatively.