Lesson 11: Module 1 Hands-on Projects

It’s time to stop watching and start building! In this lesson, we will combine everything we’ve learned—variables, input, math, logic, and loops—to build four functional mini-applications.

Project 1: Simple Calculator

This project practices Input, Math, and Conditionals.

The Goal: Create a program that takes two numbers and an operator (+, -, *, /) and prints the result.

print("--- Python Calculator ---")

num1 = float(input("Enter first number: "))
op = input("Enter operator (+, -, *, /): ")
num2 = float(input("Enter second number: "))

if op == "+":
    print(f"Result: {num1 + num2}")
elif op == "-":
    print(f"Result: {num1 - num2}")
elif op == "*":
    print(f"Result: {num1 * num2}")
elif op == "/":
    if num2 != 0:
        print(f"Result: {num1 / num2}")
    else:
        print("Error: Cannot divide by zero!")
else:
    print("Invalid operator.")

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Project 2: Number Guessing Game

This project practices Loops and Randomness.

The Goal: The computer picks a number, and you have to guess it.

import random

print("Welcome to the Guessing Game!")
secret_number = random.randint(1, 100)
attempts = 0

while True:
    guess = int(input("Guess a number between 1 and 100: "))
    attempts += 1

    if guess < secret_number:
        print("Too low!")
    elif guess > secret_number:
        print("Too high!")
    else:
        print(f"Correct! It took you {attempts} attempts.")
        break

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Project 3: Temperature Converter (Enhanced)

This project practices Logic and Unit Conversions.

The Goal: A universal converter for Celsius, Fahrenheit, and Kelvin.

temp = float(input("Enter temperature value: "))
unit = input("Is this (C)elsius, (F)ahrenheit, or (K)elvin? ").upper()

if unit == "C":
    f = (temp * 9/5) + 32
    k = temp + 273.15
    print(f"{temp}C is {f}F and {k}K")
elif unit == "F":
    c = (temp - 32) * 5/9
    k = c + 273.15
    print(f"{temp}F is {c}C and {k}K")
# ... add logic for Kelvin yourself!

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Project 4: Command-line To-Do App

This project practices Loops and List-like logic (though we’ll use basic variables for now).

The Goal: A simple menu-driven app that keeps "running" until you quit.

print("--- My To-Do App ---")
todo_list = ""
is_running = True

while is_running:
    print("\n1. Add Task")
    print("2. View Tasks")
    print("3. Exit")
    
    choice = input("Select an option: ")
    
    if choice == "1":
        new_task = input("Enter the task: ")
        todo_list += f"- {new_task}\n"
    elif choice == "2":
        print("\nYour Current Tasks:")
        print(todo_list if todo_list else "No tasks yet.")
    elif choice == "3":
        is_running = False
        print("Goodbye!")
    else:
        print("Invalid choice.")

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Bonus Challenge

Try to combine Project 1 and Project 4. Can you make the Calculator stay open and ask "Would you like to do another calculation?" after each result?

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What’s Next?

Congratulations on finishing your first set of projects! To wrap up Module 1, head over to the Exercises & Quiz section to solidify your knowledge before we move on to Module 2: Data Structures and Algorithms!