The Python project (what students do)

Each student develops a small Python Flask webserver that stores the specification of a racing buggy in a local database. They can edit the buggy (for example, changing the number of wheels) and output the buggy specification as JSON data. This app is the students’ buggy editor.

The students’ buggies take part in races that you run on the race server: See more about installing and hosting the server and the day-to-day running of it.

Uploading that JSON data to the race server enters the buggy for the next race.

The project consists of around 26 tasks arranged in 7 phases. Phases must be completed in order, but students are free to implement tasks as thoroughly as their level allows.

The complexity of the tasks generally increases as the student works through the phases.

See more about the tasks and phases. You can customise any and all of them.

Flask serving on localhost

The project uses Flask, a lightweight webserver, which students hit in their browser using localhost.

The project can support students working on their own machines, college machines, or in the cloud using services like PythonAnywhere or Replit. See more about where students can work.