AQA Computer Science GCSE
Programming projects - 2022 Projects
These are programming projects I'm using in 2022. I'll add more each week and adpt them in class as I need to.
Project 1 - Age Calculator
This has appeared on various exam papers over the years in a simple form. There are various things that can be added to make it more complex.
Project 1 - Age calculator - instructions
Exam version - from the mock exam paper
Once you have a program you can think about testing:
Project 2 - Random Numbers
Random numbers could appear on exam papers, so you do need to know how they work, both in Python and in Pseudo code. This problem also touches on Binary Search theory - which is from unit 1
Project 2 - Random number guessing - instructions
Once you have a program you can extend your work by using decomposition to break it into functions:
Project 3 - Taxi fare
This has also appeared on various exam papers over the years. I've added more complex parts, including some that are aimed at Grades 8 and 9 and are really quite complicated. But very cool.
Project 3 - Taxi fare calculator - instructions
You could decompose this problem into functions by the way - especially the rounding bit at the end.
Once you have a program you can think about testing:
Project 4 - Braking Distance
Another question from various exam papers. At the moment this is just the basic question. I need to add some devious complexity to it - although it's already a slightly complicated task anyway.
Project 4 - Braking distance calculator - instructions
Project 5 - Lowercase Character
This has been on exam papers too. It's a little tricker than it looks, but actually has a very simple solution.
Project 5 - Lowercase Character - instructions
It's worth testing this one. Even with the best solution, what happens if you enter "shdgsG" or "cbd sajg" as multiple character strings?
Project 6 - Equipment backpack
This is more of a project. It'll need a menu system and the use of functions.
Project 6 - Backpack storage problem
Arrays - what they are and how they work
Python list methods - how to use arrays in Python
You might need a bit of a slower introduction to lists, so I'll leave these resources here as well:
Projects 7 - Simple position
Find where a character appears in a string.
This needs an understanding of strings and their methods. This can be found on the Unit 2 String Handling page.
Here's the project:
Project 7 - String position project
There is lots to unpack here:
Algorithm Efficiency – key theory
Trace Table – to print
Test table – to print
8 - String Guesser
A string guessing game.
Project 8 - String guess project
This needs an understanding of strings and their methods. This can be found on the Unit 2 String Handling page.
9 - SubStrings
Splitting strings into substrings.
This needs an understanding of strings and their methods. This can be found on the Unit 2 String Handling page.