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Education digital-technologies year-9

Writing Code from Zero

A guided first coding task focused on output, input, menus, and building confidence from a blank file.

Published Updated Type activity

This activity is the first structured build from a blank file. It works well after setup and before the Explorer chapters.

🎮
Arcade Hub Level 1
Lesson 1: Writing code from zero
Today you will:
  • Write Python code yourself (no copy–paste solutions)
  • Make the computer ask questions and respond
  • Create your first menu-based program
Step 0 — Setup (5 minutes)
  1. Download the 'Level 1 - Template.py' file attached to this post.
  2. Open Thonny
  3. Open the Level 1 - Template.py file you just downloaded
  4. Save it as arcade_hub_L1_your_name.py
You are starting with a blank file. Learning to code requires you to type it all in as much as you can.
Step 1 — Output: make Python talk (10 minutes)

Your first goal is to print a welcome message.

Your task:
Write Python code that prints:
WELCOME TO ARCADE HUB
✅ Checkpoint: When you click Run, text appears in the Shell.
Step 2 — Input: ask the user something (10 minutes)

Now make the program ask for the player’s name.

Your task:
  • Ask the user for their name
  • Store it in a variable
  • Print a greeting using that name
Hint: You will need input() and a variable.
Step 3 — Decisions: your first menu (15 minutes)

Your program should now show a menu.

Menu requirements:
1) Show player badge
Q) Quit

Ask the user to choose an option, then:

  • If they choose 1, print their name
  • If they choose Q, print goodbye
You will need if and elif.
Step 4 — Loop: make it repeat (15 minutes)

Right now, your program probably runs once and stops.

Your task:
  • Put your menu inside a loop
  • Only quit when the user chooses Q
✅ Success: The menu keeps coming back.
💬 Discussion: Arcade Hub v1 — Share + Learn

Post your tested, working code for Arcade Hub v1 below for peer feedback. Remember, code is never perfect. Coding is all about learning through building, testing, and improving.

Your post must include:
  • Your full code (use the template attached and copy/paste from Thonny)
  • The “Student Submission Box” section at the top of the template filled in
  • A short title: Arcade Hub v1 - [Your Name]
🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Reply to one classmate (required)

Choose one classmate's posts and reply using this structure:

Reply Template (copy/paste)
1) ✅ Something that works well: - …
2) 🔍 One thing I tested: - I chose option ___ and I saw ___
3) 🛠️ One improvement suggestion: - You could improve by …
4) ⭐ A question (optional, but encouraged): - What would happen if … ?
Rules:
  • Do not paste “fixed” versions of someone else’s code
  • Do not roast people - we’re here to build skills
  • If you found a bug, explain it clearly and kindly
What good peer feedback looks like:
Be specific. Be kind. Be useful.
Example sentence starters:
  • “I like how you…”
  • “One thing that works really well is…”
  • “A small improvement you could try is…”
  • “I tested your code by doing ___ and it…”
✅ Peer checklist (use this when replying)

When you reply to a classmate, quickly check these items. You can copy the checklist into your reply and tick what you see.

Arcade Hub v1 Checklist
  • ⬜ The program prints a welcome message
  • ⬜ The program asks for the user’s name and stores it in a variable
  • ⬜ The program prints a greeting that uses the name
  • ⬜ A menu is displayed with at least: 1) Player badge and Q) Quit
  • ⬜ Choosing 1 prints the player badge (their name)
  • ⬜ Choosing Q quits the program (loop ends)
  • ⬜ Invalid choices show