THE USE OF SCRATCH AS AN EDUCATIONAL TOOL FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF COMPUTATIONAL THINKING AND MATHEMATICAL LOGIC IN HIGH SCHOOL

Abstract

The results of the International Student Assessment Program demonstrate that Brazilian students face difficulties in applying mathematics, logical reasoning, and mathematical concepts. This scenario highlights the need to review and/or adopt new teaching approaches in basic education. Computational thinking, which encompasses skills such as problem-solving and algorithm creation, can be practically developed using Scratch, a block-based programming language created by MIT. In this context, the objective of this study is to investigate the use of Scratch to develop computational thinking and mathematical logic in high school students at a public school in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The research combines a bibliographic review with practical classroom activities. During the intervention, students played a mathematical logic game on Scratch and subsequently created their own codes, deepening their understanding of the applied concepts. The results indicated that Scratch enhances learning, stimulates logical reasoning, and makes teaching more dynamic and accessible.