BBP Activity 2: Python Variables Exercises

:video_game: Activity Time!

⏱️ Estimated Time: 45-60 minutes
:dart: What You'll Create: 4 fun programs using variables - including a Mad Libs game and a Banana Generator!

Activity Introduction

Welcome young coders! Today you'll become a variable wizard! :emoji:‍:emoji:️ You'll learn how to create boxes (variables) to store information, change what's inside them, and even ask users for input. By the end, you'll have created 4 awesome programs!

Before You Start:

• Logged into EduBlocks with your Google account
• Have your creativity hat on! :emoji:
• Ready to explore the world of variables
• Remember: Variables are like labeled boxes that store information!

Setup Instructions

1. Go to EduBlocks: https://app.edublocks.org/login
2. Login with your Google account
3. Start a new project:
   • Click on the "Editor" icon for new projects
   • Click on the "Projects" icon to resume previous work

Creating Your First Project:

1. Select the Python 3 mode
2. Name your project based on the exercise (e.g., "Exercise Variables 1")
3. Click "Start Coding" button
4. Save immediately by clicking "Save" at the top-right

:bulb: :bulb: Pro Tip: Save your work every 5 minutes! Use Ctrl+S (Windows) or Cmd+S (Mac) for quick saves.

Steps to Complete Your Variables Exercises

One. Exercise (Variables) 1 - My Travel Dreams :emoji:

⏱️ Time: 10 minutes
Goal: Create your first variables and print a message about your travel dreams!

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Drag the variable = block from the Variables section
2. Type my_country as the variable name
3. Set the value to your home country (in quotes for a string!)
4. Create another variable called my_tour_country
5. Set it to a country you'd love to visit
6. Drag a print() block
7. Build the message: "I'm from my_country and I want to visit my_tour_country"tip :dart: Remember: Text values need quotes around them! Example: "Canada" not just Canada

2. Exercise (Variables) 2 - Score Changer :dart:

⏱️ Time: 10 minutes
Goal: Learn how variables can change their values - just like updating a game score!

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Drag a variable = block
2. Name it score and set value to 100
3. Drag a print() block and print the score
4. Drag another variable = block for the SAME variable score
5. Change the value to 200
6. Print the score again
7. Repeat steps 4-6 with value 300

:bulb: :bulb: Cool Fact: In real Python, variables can change values - that's why they're called "variable" (they vary)! It's like updating your high score in a game.

3. Exercise (Variables Advanced) 1 - Mad Libs Game :emoji:

⏱️ Time: 15 minutes
Goal: Create a hilarious Mad Libs story that asks for user input!

What's Mad Libs? It's a word game where you ask for random words, then put them into a story to create something silly and fun!

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Create Variable "a":
   • Drag variable = input() block
   • Name: a
   • Prompt: "Give me an object (plural)!"
2. Create Variable "b":
   • Drag another variable = input() block
   • Name: b
   • Prompt: "Give me an occupation!"
3. Create Variable "c" (with math!):
   • Drag variable = input() block
   • Name: c
   • Prompt: "Give me a number which will be multiplied by 1000"
   • After this, drag variable = int() block to convert c to a number
   • Then drag variable = * 1000 to multiply it!
4. Create Variables "d", "e", and "f":
   • Variable d: "Give me a word that describes something!"
   • Variable e: "Give me a word!"
   • Variable f: "Give me a body part!"
5. Print your complete Mad Libs story using all the variables!tip :rocket: Troubleshooting: If your story doesn't display correctly, check that you're using the variable names (not the values) in your print statement!

4. Exercise (Variables Advanced) 2 - Banana Generator :emoji:

⏱️ Time: 10 minutes
Goal: Create a fun program that generates "banana" with customizable length!

How it works: You'll use string multiplication (repeating text) to make bananas of different sizes!

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Create the "na" variable:

   • Drag variable = block
   • Name: na
   • Value: "na" (with quotes!)

2. Ask for multiplier:

   • Drag variable = input() block
   • Name: na_multiplier
   • Prompt: "Let's make a banana! How many 'na's do you want?"

3. Convert to number:

   • Drag variable = int() block
   • Convert na_multiplier to an integer

4. Create and print the banana:

   • Drag print() block
   • Combine: "ba" + na * na_multiplier

:warning: Bug Alert: If you see spaces in your banana (like "ba na na na"), make sure you're using the + operator to join strings, not commas!

Python Fact: In Python, you can multiply strings! "na" * 3 gives you "nanana"

:white_check_mark: Checklist - Required Elements

Before submitting, make sure each exercise has:

Exercise One:

• Two variables: my_country and my_tour_country
• Both use string values (with quotes!)
• Print statement shows both variables

Exercise 2:

• Variable score created with value 100
• Same variable updated to 200, then 300
• Three print statements showing each value

Exercise 3:

• Six input variables (a through f)
• Variable c converted to integer and multiplied by 1000
• Complete Mad Libs story printed

Exercise 4:

• Variable na with value "na"
• Input asking for multiplier
• String multiplication to create banana
• No unwanted spaces in output

:trophy: Challenge Yourself!

Ready for extra challenges? Try these:

1. Super Variable: Create a program that asks for your name, age, and favorite color, then prints a superhero name based on your inputs!

2. Calculator Variable: Make a simple calculator that asks for two numbers and shows their sum, difference, and product.

3. Story Builder: Create an even longer Mad Libs story with 10+ variables!

4. Pattern Maker: Use string multiplication to create different patterns like triangles or squares with symbols!

:emoji: Project Submission

When you have completed your "Python Variables Exercises" activity:

1. Test each program to make sure it works perfectly
2. Save all 4 projects in EduBlocks
3. Get the share link for each project
4. Submit using this form: Submit Your Project Here

:bulb: Tip

:memo: Submission Tip: You need to submit 4 separate project links - one for each exercise. Name them clearly so your teacher knows which is which!

Great job, variable wizards! You've learned one of the most important concepts in programming! :tada: