Year 9 Digital Technologies • Unit 1: Programming

Assessment Item 1 – Programming Project

This page is your “assignment hub” - everything you need in one place.
Date Due
Friday 20th March – Week 8 (by 4:00pm via QLearn)
Duration
Up to 4 weeks
Mode
Multimodal: written, visual
Submission
Minimum of 3 x A4 pages, Python file of your project, A reference list
What you must do

You are to select ONE of the following four project options and document your design and development process.

Your digital system must:
  • be written in Python,
  • include logical operators (AND, OR, NOT),
  • include iteration (loops) and conditional (if-elif-else) statements,
  • use your own functions,
  • collect and process user input,
  • validate outputs using test cases, (You can use your proto-personas as test cases for your code)
  • be designed for a clearly defined target audience.
Reminder
The complexity of your project does not determine your grade for this assignment. Clear logic, strong decomposition, accurate validation, thoughtful design and good commenting practice are what will lead to high achieving scores.
Submit
You must upload two files:
  1. Your completed project documentation (minimum 3 x A4 pages including evaluation and reference list).
  2. Your Python file named: LastName_FirstName_Assessment_1.py

Your project is to be submitted electronically via QLearn by 4pm on the due date.

If you have trouble submitting your work via QLearn, you should share your file via OneDrive or email it to your teacher before the time it is due.

Checkpoints
Planning document due
Friday 6th March (by 4:00pm via QLearn)
Final submission due
Friday 20th March 2026 (by 4:00pm via QLearn)
Choose one option
OPTION 1: School Event Booking System

In this option, you will design and develop a digital booking system for a school-based event. Examples include sports trials, tutoring sessions, club sign-ups, excursions or another approved school activity.

Your system should collect relevant user information such as name, year level and event choice. It should then apply logical rules to determine whether the booking can proceed. For example, your system may need to check whether the user is in the correct year level, whether places are still available, or whether specific requirements have been met.

OPTION 2: Simple Budget planner

In this option, you will design and develop a simple budgeting system that helps a user decide whether they can afford purchases while still meeting a savings goal.

Your system should ask the user for basic information such as how much money they have available (for example, weekly allowance), how much they want to save, and the cost of one or more items they are considering buying. Based on these inputs, your program must decide whether the user can buy the item and still meet their savings target, and then display a clear explanation and summary.

OPTION 3: Cafeteria Ordering System

In this option, you will design and develop a digital ordering system for a school cafeteria. The purpose of this system is to simulate how food orders are processed while applying simple decision-making rules such as budget limits, dietary restrictions or item availability.

Your system should allow a user to select one or more menu items and then calculate the total cost of the order. It should apply logical rules to determine whether the order can proceed. For example, your system may check whether the total cost stays within a specified budget or whether restricted ingredients are selected.

OPTION 4: Simple Text-Based Choice Game

In this option, you will design and develop a simple text-based choice game. The focus is on creating a small interactive story where the user makes decisions and the program responds using logical conditions.

Your game should include a clear starting point and no more than three levels or stages. At each stage, the user will make a choice, and your program will determine what happens next. You might include elements such as health points, score tracking, or simple win and lose conditions.

GenAI

This assessment follows the GenAI traffic light system outlined in your task sheet. You are responsible for ensuring your GenAI use aligns with the requirements.

Rubric explainer
How to aim for the top bands (A/B)
1) User needs (interviews + personas)
Your proto personas should clearly come from your user interviews. The best responses explain why features were included and how they match the target audience.
2) Algorithm (pseudocode + flowchart)
Your flowchart should clearly show inputs, processes and outputs, with decisions that match your final program. Logical operators (AND/OR/NOT) should be used deliberately, not randomly.
3) Code (structure + readability)
Aim for clean structure: if-else statements / loops / functions for repeated tasks, meaningful variable names, and comments that explain what your code is doing and why.
4) Validation (test cases)
Strong test cases show: inputs, expected output, actual output, and an explanation. If something didn’t work first time, explain what you changed (refinement).
5) Managing (project habits)
Use feedback, test properly, and keep your documentation tidy. A well-managed project reads clearly and is easy to follow.
Before you submit
Quick checklist
  • Does your algorithm clearly show inputs, processes and outputs?
  • Does your code include logical operators, loops and functions?
  • Have you included at least two test cases with expected and actual outputs?
  • Have you written a clear evaluation?
  • Have you included a reference list (APA format)?
  • Can you explain how your system works if asked?
File check
Python filename convention
LastName_FirstName_Assessment_1.py
Tip: If you’re unsure whether your project is “good enough”, check the rubric explainer above and make sure your work is clear, tested, and easy to follow.