Coding Challenge

Challenge Overview

What is AI?

Artificial Intelligence (AI) refers to the ability of machines or computers to learn from experience, adjust to new inputs, and perform tasks that typically require human intelligence. In simple terms, AI helps machines think, learn, and make decisions. AI can be used to analyze data, predict outcomes, and automate tasks, making it an important tool in many fields, including agriculture.

Why is AI Useful in Agriculture?

Agriculture is a critical part of our world, but it also faces many challenges—like managing crops, dealing with pests, predicting weather, and reducing waste. AI helps farmers by providing tools to make smarter decisions, reduce waste, increase productivity, and use resources like water and energy more efficiently. AI can also help monitor crops and animals, predict problems, and automate processes, which leads to better and more sustainable farming practices.

About the 2025 Challenge:

Scratch 3.0 is a visual programming language developed by the MIT Media Lab. It allows you to create interactive stories, games, and animations, all while learning how to code. In this challenge, participants will use the free Scratch platform to create an original game or animation that highlights at least one potential use of AI in agriculture.

In addition to submitting a game or animation prior to the event, you will also need to give a 2-4 minute presentation on the day of the event.

Your presentation should cover:

• The inspiration behind your game or animation
• Instructions for how to play the game or view the animation
• An overview of the most common coding blocks you used
• Description of challenges you encountered during the coding process and how you solved them

Please see the scoring rubric for more details on how your project will be judged and review the list below for inspiration for your project.

Potential AI Ideas to Explore for Project Inspiration

1. Smart Farming:
   Create a game or animation where AI tools like drones or sensors are used to monitor crops, check if they're growing well, and detect problems like disease. Players or viewers can see how AI helps decide when to water, feed, or harvest crops.
2. AI for Crop Prediction:
   Build a game or animation where AI predicts when crops will be ready to harvest or helps farmers figure out the best time to plant.
3. AI to Stop Pests:
   Design a game or animation where AI helps farmers detect pests or plant diseases early. The AI can suggest safe, eco-friendly ways to control pests and keep crops healthy, without relying on too many chemicals.
4. Sustainable Farming with AI:
   Create a game or animation showing how AI can help farmers use fewer resources, like water and energy, and reduce waste, making farming more environmentally friendly and sustainable.
5. AI to Harvest Crops:
   Imagine a game or animation where AI-powered machines or robots help harvest crops. Players or viewers can see how AI robots determine the right time to pick crops, ensuring they are ripe and ready for harvest.
6. AI for Animal Care:
   Build a game or animation where AI helps farmers care for livestock. The AI tracks animal health, monitors feeding schedules, and can even help determine the best time for breeding to improve productivity.
7. Sorting Produce: AI to Check Ripeness and Spoilage:
   Create a game or animation where AI is used to sort fruits and vegetables based on ripeness or spoilage. In a game, players could use AI to decide which produce is good to sell and which should be discarded. The animation could show a conveyor belt system where AI sorts produce to reduce waste and makes sure only the best quality food gets to market.

Challenge Rules

Individual

This challenge is for individuals only.

Age Divisions | Junior (9-13 years) | Senior (14-18 years)

Age is calculated as of January 1, 2025.

Materials | Specifications | Time

Instructions for game play or to view the animation must be included with the online submission. No pre-constructed code may be used to complete the project. Images and sounds outside of the Scratch library may be included if desired. Youth should submit their project by providing a file or direct link to their Scratch project using the online submission form no later than February 2nd at 11:59 EST. In addition, youth must answer questions about their project on the online submission form and present a brief presentation on the day of the event.

When completing online submission, youth will need to be prepared to answer the following:

• Please provide a brief description of your video game or digital animation. (One to two paragraphs about your project including the instructions for play, the type of game, your inspiration for the game, and anything else you wish to share.)
• What coding blocks did you use most often in your project? Why?
• What challenges did you encounter when creating your project? How did you overcome them? 

Judging

Metric | Placing | Tie Breaker

Each entry will be reviewed by a panel of judges prior to the event and will contribute 50% of the overall score. Presentations will be held the day of the event and will contribute 50% of the overall score. First through third place will be awarded based on total score calculated with the attached rubric. In the event of a tie, the efficiency of code (fewest steps to achieve the desired result) will determine the winner.

Helpful Resources

Scoring Rubric

Scratch Platform 

Getting Started with Scratch 

CS First Scratch Tutorial - Game Design Unit 

Scratch Ideas (Tutorials) 

What is AI? An interactive tutorial from National 4-H 

Contact Information

If you have any questions, please reach out to Abigail Phillips at atimmon@clemson.edu.