In this middle school computer science unit and lesson series, students code a 2D hybrid mythological creature in Scratch and the same creature in 3D using Minecraft MakeCode. The three lessons comprising this unit are:
2D Creature Design and Backstory
Animate Your Mythological Creature in Scratch
3D Creature in Minecraft Education
Check out student projects, Scratch code, MinecraftEDU structure blocks and Minecraft MakeCode scripts in our "Creature Code Gallery."
6 min
7 min
Use imagination and storytelling to invent a new mythological creature by combining two animals.
Practice character design through visual art sketching on a pixel grid.
Write a detailed backstory describing your creature’s environment, habits, abilities, and origins.
Begin learning about pixel sprite creation, practice sketching a creature within a 30 x 30 pixel space.
Explore possible pixel art creature creations:
Check out Spring 2025 2D Mythological Creatures (by PDS students!) - Also featured in the Spring 2025 Mythological Creatures Code Gallery!
Explore www.pixilart.com/search?term=creature
Spin the Animal Spinner!
Use the spinner below to randomly select two animals—one from each group—to combine into your mythological creature.
👉 Spinner Link! (or spin this custom vibe coded version!)
Open Your Learning Journal
Open your Google Doc Learning Journal. Title the new section:
Mythological Creature Backstory
Use These Questions to Brainstorm Your Creature’s Story:
Where does this creature live?
What does it eat?
What are its personality characteristics?
Does it have any special powers or magical abilities?
What size is it (in comparison to known animals)?
What noises does it make (if any)?
Has it ever encountered humans or other animals?
Is it a hero, villain, guardian, or explorer in its world?
Is it the last of its kind, or part of a species?
What is its name and how did it get it?
Optional: Use the AI Brainstorming Partner to generate even more ideas for your creature.
👉 Link to our FlintAI Mythological Creator Brainstormin Custom Activity! (This 2006 version should work for you if the older one does not) - PDS Google login required
Draw Your Creature!
Option 1: Use Sketchbook on your iPad to sketch your mythological creature:
Use this 30 x 30 grid (graph paper) and keep your design inside a 30 x 30 area.
Color it using 5–8 colors max.
Save/export your sketch as a .jpg or .png.
Option 2: Draw your creature directly in Scratch using the Sprite editor.
Upload the .JPG or .PNG sketch of your creature (from Notability).
Paste the link to your Google Doc Learning Journal that includes:
The name of your creature
Its detailed backstory (at least 1 paragraph, ideally 5–8 sentences)
Notes from your brainstorming process
4.5 min
2 min
Translate your pixel art sketch into a digital Scratch sprite using the costume editor.
Name and save your custom sprite correctly.
Code a short animation or interactive story using your mythological creature.
Reveal creative aspects of your creature’s backstory using coding tools like "say," "switch costume," and "broadcast."
Practice file sharing and organization using a shared Google Drive folder.
Use www.pixilart.com/draw to create a 32 x 32 pixel canvas:
Draw your mythological creator in Pixilart.com (no login required)
Download as a PNG image
Open Scratch and Start a New Project
Visit scratch.mit.edu and log into your account.
Click “Create” and delete the default cat sprite.
Import your Pixilart PNG file and NAME your sprite
Optional: Use the Scratch Costume Editor to create multiple costumes and add MUSIC
Open the Costumes tab and select “Paint” to remix your sprite.
Use your Notability sketch from Lesson 1 as a reference.
Keep your sprite roughly within a 32 x 32 grid, and use pixel mode or the smallest brush to keep that look.
Keep the background transparent!
Use the Scratch Music library or Chosic.com to add fun background music. Remember to give CREDIT!
Name and Export Your Sprite
Rename your sprite using this format:
CreatureName_YourFirstName
Right-click the sprite → export → save the .sprite3 file to your device.
Share a Copy in Google Drive
Upload your exported sprite file to this shared folder:
👉 [Google Drive Sprite Folder]
Code a Short Animated Story (10–30 seconds) Use Scratch blocks like these to tell the story of your creature:
when green flag clicked
say [text] for [x] seconds
next costume
go to x: y:
wait [x] seconds
broadcast [message]
Your creature’s story should include:
At least 3 key backstory facts
At least 1 movement or animation
Dialogue or a voice that represents your creature’s personality
Share Your Scratch Project
Click the orange "Share" button at the top of your Scratch project.
Title your project with your creature’s name.
Add a short description explaining what the project is and what your creature can do.
🔗 Paste the link to your shared Scratch project in Canvas.
Submit this Google Form to share the link to your Scratch Project. (Your link should show up here!)
🖼 Download / Save your .sprite3 file (your exported custom sprite)
🗂 Upload a copy of your correctly named sprite in this shared Google Drive folder.
Transform your 2D sprite into a 3D pixel art model using Minecraft Education Edition.
Think spatially and mathematically about length, width, and height to bring your design to life.
Use a Structure Block to save and reuse your creature’s build.
Use code and variables to spawn your creature into any world location.
Open Your Learning Journal
Add a new section titled:
Planning My 3D Build
In your journal, write about:
How your 2D creature will look in 3D
What will its front, side, and back look like?
Will you add layers to show volume (e.g., eyes bulging, wings sticking out)?
What blocks or materials will you use?
What are your planned dimensions?
(Keep total size under 32 x 32 x 32 blocks)
Start Building by Hand in Minecraft Education
Choose or create a flat build world.
Use your pixel sprite as a front-facing reference.
Begin building layer by layer, adding height and depth as needed.
Use colored wool, concrete, or other pixel-art-friendly blocks.
Use a Structure Block to Save Your Build
/give @s structure_block
Place a Structure Block near your creature.
Use it to define the bounding box around your build.
Name your saved structure using this format:
CreatureName_YourFirstName.mcstructure
Save the file to your device.
Follow a short tutorial on how to use a structure block.
Write Code to Spawn Your Creature
Use MakeCode inside Minecraft to create a new Agent or Chat command project.
Create a variable for the structure name and use coordinates to spawn your saved creature in the world.
Test your code in different places by changing the coordinates.
Suggested blocks:
on chat command
set world position
place structure at position
📐 Paste the link to your Learning Journal 3D planning section (including dimensions and ideas). Also Include:
Link to your MakeCode to create your creature with your AGENT.
💬 Share a screenshot or short screen recording showing your 3D creature placed in the world. (Insert or link in your learning journal)
✅ Reflection: Include a short paragraph reflecting on what changed from your 2D design to your 3D build and why.
💾 Upload your .mcstructure file from Minecraft AND upload it to this Google Drive folder. (name it with the creature name AND your FIRST name)