What are Parson’s puzzles?
Parson’s puzzles are designed to get you thinking about the order of code, and think logically about how code can be constructed.
In a Parson’s puzzle you have all the code that you need – you just need to put it into the right order!
In terms of computational thinking, the puzzle is asking you to think about the design of the algorithm, without having to worry about the actual code you need or that you have got the syntax correct.
What is the difference between normal and Challenge tasks?
In normal tasks you are not expected to use indentation as the indentation has already been done for you. In challenge tasks you are expected to drag blocks to a correctly indented place in order to complete the puzzle correctly.
Key Stage 3 level (age 11-14)
KS3 Puzzle
Skills
Python
Python Challenge
VB.Net
Puzzle 1 – Accepting a user input
Sequencing, variables, inputs
N/A
Puzzle 2 – a simple calculator
Sequencing, variables, integers, inputs, mathematical symbols
N/A
Puzzle 3 – simple selection
Sequencing, variables, selection
Puzzle 4 – a better calculator
Sequencing, variables, integers, selection
Puzzle 5 – random dice game
Sequencing, variables, integers, selection, libraries
Puzzle 6 – random number guessing game
Sequencing, variables, integers, selection, libraries
Puzzle 7 – subroutines
Sequencing, variables, inputs, selection, subroutines
Puzzle 8 – for loops
Sequencing, variables, integers, selection, iteration
Puzzle 9 – while loops
Sequencing, variables, integers, iteration, libraries
Key Stage 4 level (age 14-16)
KS4 Puzzle
Skills
Sequencing, variables, lists, iteration
Sequencing, variables, lists, iteration
Sequencing, variables, lists, iteration
Sequencing, variables, lists, iteration
Sequencing, variables, lists, inputs, selection, iteration
Sequencing, variables, subroutines, inputs, selection
Sequencing, variables, functions, integers, inputs
Sequencing, variables, functions, length of string, uppercase check
Sequencing, variables, write to text file, iteration
Sequencing, variables, read from text file, iteration, stripping characters