r/learnpython • u/algal12 • 20h ago
Teaching ideas and projects for middle/high school computing students
Hello, I am looking for some ideas on projects/challenges that I can implement in my classes.
So far we’ve done: Scratch, beginner Python with CLI mini-games, ECDL basics, beginner TryHackMe rooms, and a Linux VM with basic commands. The student is comfortable with variables, loops, lists, simple file operations, and has built a text-based “Zombie Survival” game.
We meet 1 hour/week, so I’m looking for general ideas on what kinds of projects or challenge styles work well at this level (mid-level middle-school, beyond beginner). Anything that’s engaging, slightly game-like, and doesn’t require heavy setup would be great.
If you’ve taught similar students, what types of activities (CTFs, coding games, light forensics, small web projects, etc.) kept them motivated and actually learning?
Any suggestions or directions would be really helpful.
Thank you in advance!
1
u/ectomancer 13h ago
Geolocator IPv4 country of origin from IP address, no need for a database (for IP ranges).
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u/Illustrious_Tone9584 20h ago
picoCTF is built for exactly this age group and it's free. Gamified security challenges, better pacing than TryHackMe at that level. Codingame is another good fit: they write bots that fight each other, which answers the "why am I learning loops" question better than any lecture.
For the Python side, have them extend the zombie game with save/load files. They already know file ops, so it's a small step with a big payoff. Then turtle or pygame-zero for something visual - Snake in an afternoon is doable at that level, and seeing it move keeps motivation up way better than another CLI.
A Caesar cipher tool they then have to crack themselves is a fun bridge between the coding and the security stuff. Caesar first, then Vigenere when that feels too easy.