Platform / Related
Digital Technologies Progress Outcomes
[CTDT] = PO2
Building an event-driven Scratch program
Managing multiple elements as part of a single cohesive program
Using sequences of blocks to create animated storytelling
Testing and debugging
Understanding that program behaviour is determined by code structure and that logical patterns can be repeated
[DDDO] = PO2
Designing and creating a purposeful interactive digital outcome
Making intentional design decisions
Incorporating personal, whānau, community, and cultural stories
Evaluating an interactive digital system that connects effectively with an audience
Cross-Curricular Links
Social Sciences / Aotearoa NZ Histories
Exploring the cultural significance of Matariki and Puanga, gathering stories from whānau, community, and local iwi, reflecting on the Māori New Year as a time for remembrance, celebration, and looking ahead
Gathering and distilling stories and information, composing content, considering audience and effective communication
Designing a visual environment to create an engaging and culturally resonant digital artwork
The activity is available in a te reo Māori guide, providing a meaningful context for developing and extending te reo vocabulary and knowledge
Year Levels
Y5-6 (Guided, collaborative, scaffolded programming)
Y7-8 (Supported, with more autonomous roles, drawing on a wider range of sources)
Y9+ (Independent)
Duration
Y5-6 = 2+ lessons
Y7+ = 3+ lessons
Resources
Activity Guide
Differentiation
Learn more about what stars are visible and celebreated in your local area, and focus on these stars in particular.
Include the star Puanga of the Orion constellation.
Extension
Assign different stars, or constellations for learners to conduct further research then share their findings from across cultures.
Add code that allows the stars to twinkle even after returing to the ‘home’ screen.
Add code that provides a label for each star, so that their names can be clearly seen.
About Activity
This project uses Scratch to build a platform for mapping the Matariki cluster and let you add your own stories to each star. Learners will make an interactive animation that tells the story of the nine stars of Matariki and the star Puanga.
Celebrate the Māori new year by reflecting on the past, celebrating the present and thinking about the future. Consider stories of Matariki from your family, community, local area, and beyond. Then create a program that can store and share these stories.
A Note on Moonhack
While this activity can be used at any time, it’s also part the Moonhack project, run by Code Club Australia as a free international coding event for ākonga aged 8–15. Taking part in the formal Moonhack challenge is optional, and kaiako who want to participate in the Moonhack event by submitting ākonga projects should review the official guidelines and register on the Moonhack website.
Activity Guide
Te reo Māori:
English:
Teachers should consider:
Hardware & Materials Preparation as a pre-lesson task.
Group Assignments and logistics, including student collaboration and content focus.
Digital Safety & Wellbeing to make sure device use is safe, supervised, and purposeful throughout, as this activity can involve using the internet for research as well as accessing Scratch.
General Guidance
Set clear expectations around safe and purposeful device use at the start of each lesson.
If ākonga encounter content that feels inappropriate, confusing, or upsetting during research, they should know they can flag this with kaiako without concern.
Remind ākonga of your school's digital use agreement before beginning any lesson that involves internet research or use of a third-party platform.
Before the activity
Consider reviewing and pre-selecting a set of reliable, age-appropriate sources, rather than open internet searching.
Familiarise yourself with Scratch (scratch.mit.edu) and the settings that control how saved projects are visible publicly to others.
During the activity
Supervise internet use throughout, circulating actively to monitor and support ākonga.
Discuss openly what is and isn't appropriate to include in a Scratch project.
Encourage ākonga to treat all sources about Matariki, particularly those representing mātauranga Māori, with respect and care as it’s part of a living, culturally significant body of knowledge.
Lesson Progression Guide
Y5-6 | 2+ Lessons (Guided)
Lesson 1 — Introduction, Stories & Scratch
Lesson 2 — Scratch Programming
Lesson 3 — Refinement, Extension & Sharing
Y7+ | 3+ Lessons (Guided to Independent, Group Project)
Lesson 1 — Introduction, Research & Planning
Lesson 2 — Scratch Programming & Content Integration
Lesson 3 — Testing, Debugging & Refinement
Lesson 4 — Sharing & Reflection
