​Robot Storytelling Competition

The Digital Tales competition is closed now. See the winning entries.

About the Competition

How to Program your Story

Enter the Competition

Digital Tales Live

Program a story using the Ohbot block programming language.

Can you write a one hundred word story and program an Ohbot robot like this one to tell it?
Yes, you can! Your story can be set anywhere, anytime and feature any characters you like. 

I need a robot to enter right?
Wrong! No need to spend any of your pennies on a robot! You will need a computer that runs Windows 7, 8 or 10 and our free easy-to-use programming app. The app has a simulation of Ohbot so you can create and debug your story program without needing a physical robot.

Are there prizes?
Yes, there are! The winner will get an Ohbot robot to keep and one for their school. They will also have their story performed at Cheltenham Science Festival.

Who can enter?
Humans 7 to 15 years old at the closing date

When is it?
Closing date for story entries is May 29th

How do I enter?
1. Please read this

• Stories should be no more than 100 words. 
• Stories should be submitted as programs written using the Ohbot Application.
• Your story should run when the key A is pressed on the keyboard. Your robot should then perform without any further human help, otherwise what's the point of a robot eh?
• No more than one entry each.
• Stories will be judged on the story writing as well as the robot's storytelling performance.
• An adult that could be a parent/carer or teacher will need to submit your story.

2. Install the app
If you have a computer running Windows 10 you will see an image below saying 'Get it on Windows 10'. Click this to install the app from the Windows Store.

If you don't see the image and have a computer running Windows 7 or 8 click here and follow the install instructions.

3. Get ideas for programming
There's a page on how to write your program here.

4. When you're ready to submit your story program
The submission form needs to be completed by an adult. The form is here.