In February 2012, the Scratch Team released an update on the progress of Scratch 2.0. It basically tells us that Scratch is entering the Alpha stage and shows a few screenshots. There’s a new feature tentatively called “Backpack” that allows scripts to be copied from one project to another – a very cool and useful feature indeed. According to the update, we’re going to get a good look at 2.0 and maybe even get a chance to try it out at Scratch Day 2012.

Title: Scratch Day Philadelphia
Location: University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education
Link out: Click here
Description: This year, I will be presenting at Scratch Day Philadelphia. Looking forward to seeing you there. Here are the event details.

Who: Everyone
When: May 19, 2012 – 10:00am
6 hours
Where: University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education
3700 Walnut Street
Philadelphia
Pennsylvania
United States
Cost: Free Event

This event is open to the general public – advance registration is required. For more information, contact burkew@dolphin.upenn.edu
Start Time: 10:00
Date: 2012-05-19
End Time: 16:00

December has just begun, but plans for Scratch Day 2012 are well underway. Scratch Day (May 19, 2012) is a group of community based events where parents, teachers, and/or kids come together to promote and learn about the Scratch programming language.

Here’s some stats to illustrate Scratch Day’s reach from the Scratch Day website.

• In 2011, there were 126 events in 36 different countries.
• In 2010, there were 120 events in 40 different countries.
• In 2009, there were 120 events in 44 different countries.

For the last two years, I’ve attended the OLPC Learning Club DC Scratch Day event in Arlington, VA to help facilitate a workshop with the students. I never stop being amazed at how quickly kids adapt to Scratch and how quickly they become skilled Scratchers. Jeff Elkner, Mike Lee and the OLPC Learning Club are great hosts; they even surprised me last year with a XO laptop. If you’re in the northern Virginia area, you’ll enjoy this event.

This year it looks like Scratch Day is coming back to Pennsylvania. Scratch Day Philadelphia is being organized by Quinn Burke. I attended Scratch Day Pennsylvania in 2009 at the Abington Friends School where I met another group of great people, including Quinn.

Scratch Day Resources

The Scratch team publishes a list of Scratch Day resources. Of course, my book Scratch 1.4 Beginner’s Guide offers many scratch programming ideas and solutions to help you develop workshops.

It’s not too early to plan your Scratch Day. It’s a lot of fun. Where will you be?