Community Growth Article: Education for Ecosystem Growth

General
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This article is part of a research series exploring key growth drivers identified by Scroll’s community cluster groups. In this piece, we focus on education, specifically examining initiatives such as Solana’s Developer Bootcamp, Cardano’s Plutus Pioneer Program, Starknet’s Developer Portal, Base’s Base Bootcamp, and Celo’s Celo Academy. Drawing from these examples, we provide actionable recommendations for Scroll to adopt, using these insights to inform strategies aimed at developer adoption, engagement, and growth

Case Studies

Solana Developer Bootcamp – Scaling Developer Ecosystem

Overview:

Launched in 2024, the Solana Developer Bootcamp aimed to grow its ecosystem by equipping developers with skills in Rust, blockchain fundamentals, and dApp development. Offering over 20 hours of content, the program provided both foundational knowledge and hands-on experience to engage developers with the Solana network.

Program Details:

  • Focus: Rust programming, blockchain basics, smart contract development, and full-stack dApps.
  • Format: Self-paced, open-access materials available via GitHub, including code examples, video tutorials, and interactive guides.
  • Duration: Multi-week with structured milestones, hands-on projects, and ongoing support.
  • Delivery Platform: GitHub, video modules, and live coding workshops.

Motivation:

  • Meet the Growing Demand for Solana Developers
  • Equip Developers with Real-World Skills
  • Train new developers and empowering them to build on Solana
  • Foster a Collaborative Developer Community

Impact:

  • High Developer Enrollment: 14,475 builders have already registered for the Solana Bootcamp.
  • Global Reach: Participants from 67 different countries, showcasing its international scope.
  • Successful Onboarding: Over 700 Open Campus IDs created, reflecting active engagement in the program.

What Scroll Can Learn from the Solana Bootcamp:

  • Milestone-Driven Learning Path: Solana’s progressive curriculum guided developers from foundational concepts to full dApp deployment, ensuring a clear progression and measurable success at each stage.
  • Interactive and Accessible Formats: Solana effectively used diverse content formats, such as live coding sessions, video tutorials, and interactive projects, to cater to different learning styles and improve accessibility.
  • Outcome-Oriented Learning: Emphasizing real-world dApp development ensured participants gained practical experience while directly contributing to Solana’s ecosystem, enhancing both retention and impact.

What Scroll Can Do Based on Solana’s Success:

  • Milestone-Based Developer Bootcamps: Implement structured programs that guide participants from zk-rollup basics to deploying production-ready dApps, ensuring measurable skill progression.
  • Diverse Learning Tools: Offer live coding workshops, tutorial videos, and hands-on projects that simplify zk-rollup concepts and engage developers across skill levels.
  • Focus on Ecosystem Contributions: Center bootcamp activities on building dApps or tools that directly align with Scroll’s network goals, ensuring developers create impactful outcomes for the Scroll ecosystem.

Resources:

Cardano’s Plutus Pioneer Program: Building Engagement Through Structured Learning

Overview:

Cardano introduced the Plutus Pioneer Program in 2021 to educate developers on Haskell and Plutus, Cardano’s smart contract language. The 10-week, self-paced course combined video tutorials, weekly exercises, and live Q&A sessions.

Motivation:

  • Haskell & Plutus Mastery
  • Ecosystem Expansion
  • DeFi & dApp Innovation
  • Bridging Traditional & Blockchain Skill Sets

Impact:

  • Robust GitHub Community Engagement: 1.4k stars, 154 watchers, and 987 forks
  • High Viewership on Official Lectures: More than 500,000 total views on the Plutus Pioneer Program lecture series
  • Successful Cohort Completions: Four cohorts completed to date, reflecting sustained developer interest and participation in the Plutus Pioneer Program**

What Scroll Can Learn from the Plutus Pioneer Program:

  • Developer Motivation Through Certification: On-chain certifications incentivized participation and highlighted blockchain utility.
  • Live Support Boosts Engagement: Weekly live Q&A sessions increased retention and fostered a strong sense of community.
  • Application-Focused Exercises Drive Retention: Practical tasks tied to real-world blockchain applications reinforced learning outcomes.

What Scroll Can Do:

  • Implement On-Chain Certification: Offer zk-rollup-based certificates (e.g., NFTs) for completing structured milestones.
  • Host Live Expert-Led Sessions: Run weekly Q&A sessions and office hours with Scroll mentors to support participants.
  • Include zk-Rollup Case Studies: Integrate case studies demonstrating Scroll’s unique capabilities and ecosystem.

Resources:

Starknet Developer Portal

Overview:

Starknet’s Developer Portal centralizes over 150 tutorials, SDK guides, and live coding examples, making it a comprehensive resource for developers. The portal also hosts regular workshops and hackathons, driving hands-on learning and engagement, which has significantly contributed to the ecosystem’s growth and high retention rates.

Motivation:

  • Comprehensive Resources: The portal was designed to centralize all development-related resources, including documentation, tutorials, SDKs, and guides, making it easier for developers to learn how to build on Starknet.
  • Promote Decentralized and Scalable Application Development: Starknet, being a Layer 2 scalability solution built on Ethereum, aims to support scalable decentralized applications (dApps).
  • Foster a Developer Ecosystem: By offering detailed resources and tools, the portal aims to attract more developers to Starknet and ensure that they have the necessary support to succeed.
  • Support for Open Source and Community Contributions: Developers can contribute to the ecosystem by creating and sharing their own tools, frameworks, or resources.

Impact:

  • Global Developer Reach: Supporting 5 languages.
  • Gamified Learning Results: Node Guardians’ fantasy quest format.
  • Community Growth Impact: Integrated learning resources and support channels.

What Scroll Can Learn:

  • Centralized Resource Hub: Starknet’s developer portal streamlined access to documentation, tutorials, and SDKs, reducing barriers for developers and fostering seamless onboarding.
  • Interactive Tutorials for Skill Application: Project-based tutorials enabled developers to apply learned concepts immediately, enhancing engagement and knowledge retention.
  • Emphasis on Open-Source Collaboration: Starknet fostered community contributions to tools and resources, creating a collaborative ecosystem that supports sustained developer growth.

What Scroll Can Do:

  • Build a Centralized Developer Hub: Develop a portal that consolidates all zkEVM resources, including documentation, SDKs, and hands-on tutorials, ensuring developers have a seamless experience.
  • Implement Interactive Learning Paths: Introduce interactive, project-driven tutorials that walk developers through building and deploying zkEVM dApps, enabling immediate skill application.
  • Encourage Community Contributions: Foster open-source collaboration by creating incentives for developers to contribute to tools, frameworks, and educational content within the Scroll ecosystem.

Resources:

Base Bootcamp

Overview:

Base Network, Coinbase’s Layer 2 solution, launched the Base Bootcamp, an eight-week program designed to turn developers into smart contract experts. The bootcamp aims to address the on-chain developer shortage by providing structured guidance and hands-on experience, equipping developers with the skills needed to build decentralized applications (dApps) on blockchain. This immersive experience includes mentorship, live sessions with top engineers, group learning, and a capstone project that results in a deployable blockchain app.

Program Details:

  • Focus: Designed for experienced developers on topics related to Solidity development, smart contract deployment, and Web3 fundamentals
  • Format: Cohort-based, mentorship-driven, with interactive tutorials and real-world dApp development
  • Duration: 8 weeks
  • Delivery Platform: Base Bootcamp platform, with live workshops, Discord for community learning, and personalized mentorship.

Impact:

  • Participant Enrollment: Only 20 students will make it into each cohort

What Scroll Can Learn:

  • Selective Cohorts for Focused Learning: Limiting cohorts to around 20 participants allows for personalized mentorship and ensures a collaborative, high-quality learning environment.
  • Mentorship Integration: Weekly one-on-one mentorship sessions provide structured, individualized guidance, improving participant retention and outcomes.
  • Graded Project Reviews: Detailed assessments of participant projects by experienced engineers ensure skill application aligns with real-world zkEVM development needs.

What Scroll Can Do

  • One-on-One Mentorship: Pair developers with experienced zkEVM mentors for weekly, personalized guidance throughout the program.
  • Graded Project Reviews: Introduce project assessments by Scroll engineers to provide actionable feedback and ensure high-quality outcomes.
  • Live Office Hours: Host regular open office hours via video calls to support real-time problem-solving and community engagement.

Resources:

Celo Academy – Driving Global Participation Through Localization

Overview:

Celo Academy equips developers worldwide with the technical skills required to build decentralized applications (dApps) optimized for mobile platforms on the Celo blockchain. The program offers self-paced courses and tutorials focused on practical, project-based learning, enabling developers to apply blockchain concepts to real-world use cases. By prioritizing localization and financial inclusion, the Academy provides accessible resources for developers in underrepresented regions, fostering global participation and contributing to the growth of the Celo ecosystem.

Program Details:

  • Focus: Mobile-first dApp development, blockchain fundamentals, and financial inclusion.
  • Format: Self-paced, on-demand video tutorials and guides with project-based learning.
  • Duration: Flexible, self-paced with no set end time.
  • Delivery Platform: Celo Academy platform, accessible globally with mobile-first resources.

Motivation for Celo Academy:

  • Democratizing Blockchain Education: Celo Academy was created to provide accessible and inclusive educational resources, empowering developers from underrepresented regions to learn and build on the Celo platform.
  • Driving Real-World Application: The program focuses on practical, project-based learning, enabling participants to develop decentralized applications (dApps) and financial protocols that address real-world challenges.
  • Fostering Global Participation: By emphasizing localization and a mobile-first approach, the Academy ensures developers worldwide, particularly in emerging markets, can engage with blockchain technology effectively.

Impact

  • Comprehensive Learning Resources: Celo Academy delivers 133 technical tutorials and 15 curated learning pathways

What Scroll Learn:

  • Localization for Inclusivity: Celo Academy emphasizes region-specific content, offering resources in multiple languages and hosting localized events to engage developers from underrepresented regions.
  • Mobile-First Design: The platform is optimized for mobile devices, ensuring accessibility for developers in emerging markets where smartphones are often the primary tool for learning and development.

What Scroll Can Do:

  • Localized Educational Content: Translate zkEVM tutorials into multiple languages and host localized hackathons or meetups to engage diverse regional communities.
  • Mobile-First Learning Approach: Optimize tutorials and coding environments for mobile devices to ensure accessibility for developers in emerging markets.

Resources:

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