Rescue Mission: Creative Coding
Research the Highway Collapse, then build a rescue mission game using MRT Scratch AI Studio — a school-safe version of Scratch with Google Teachable Machine and robot control built in.
In March 2026, the Great Western Highway at Victoria Pass — the main road between Sydney and the Blue Mountains — was shut down in both directions after engineers detected severe cracking and ground collapse beneath a 194-year-old structure. It remains closed today, with no reopening date confirmed.
The 2026 RCC theme, The Highway Collapse, is not fiction. It’s the news. Your game is a response to a real problem.
How to Participate
Register
Sign up through your school or as an individual at roboticscodingchallenge.org/register-hub. You’ll get instant access to the eLearning platform.
Complete the eLearning Courses
Work through the 2 beginner Scratch courses on the MRT eLearning platform. Learn how to use sprites, events, conditions, and variables to build interactive games.
Research the Theme
Investigate the Highway Collapse scenario. Your research should shape your game — the story, characters, problem, and solution should all connect to what you’ve learned.
Design & Build Your Game
Use MRT Scratch AI Studio to create your rescue mission game. Focus on a clear goal, interactive elements, and a storyline connected to the Highway Collapse theme.
Record a Short Video & Submit
Record your game in action (max 3 minutes). Upload to YouTube or Google Drive and submit the link with a short written description of your research and design.
Your Mission 🎯
Create a short rescue mission game based on the Highway Collapse theme. Research the real problem, design a creative story, and build a game that helps solve it.
Your project should include:
- Clear research evidence connected to the highway collapse
- Characters, movement, and events linked to the rescue theme
- A clear goal the player must achieve
- A problem to solve — collecting materials, navigating obstacles, or rescuing people
- A beginning, middle, and end (for story-based projects)
Game Ideas 💡
Rock Dodge & Supply Delivery
Avoid falling rocks while delivering emergency supplies to survivors.
Safe Route Finder
Navigate through the damaged highway zone and find the only safe path.
Bridge Rebuild
Collect repair parts scattered across the map to rebuild the collapsed bridge.
Race Against Time
Rescue trapped people before the timer runs out — every second counts.
Allowed Tools 🛠️
MRT Scratch AI Studio — via eLearning Platform
A school-safe version of Scratch with unnecessary features removed and Google Teachable Machine + robot control added. Access it through your eLearning account.
Research Requirement 🔍
Students must show evidence of research inside their project. The game design and storyline must clearly connect to the Highway Collapse scenario.
Research angles to explore:
- What causes infrastructure to collapse?
- How do emergency services respond?
- What does a rescue operation look like?
- How do engineers fix damaged roads and bridges?
- What impact does a road closure have on a community?
How Your Project Is Scored 📊
Total: 100 points
Submission Requirements 📦
- A video link (YouTube or Google Drive) showing the game in action — max 3 minutes
- A written description explaining your research and game design — 300+ characters
Australian Curriculum Connections 🇦🇺
Aligned with Australian Curriculum V9.0
Ready to build your rescue game?
Register your school or sign up as an individual to get instant eLearning access.
