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The Create Task is an essential component of the AP Computer Science Principles exam, designed to assess your ability to develop functional software. It focuses on practical skills rather than complex theoretical knowledge. This section provides guidance and examples to help you efficiently complete your task.
Overview of Requirements: Your task should involve creating an application that includes:
User Input and Output: The app must allow for user interaction through input and output mechanisms.
Data Storage: Implement a list or array to store multiple data items.
Function with Parameters: Develop at least one function that takes parameters and performs operations such as iteration and conditional checks.
Suggested Project Idea: For those looking to complete the task with a straightforward project, consider building a simple calculator. This application meets the criteria by involving user input, output, and basic data handling.
Key Elements to Include:
User Interface: Ensure your application has clear input and output fields.
Data Handling: Use a list or array to manage data within the app.
Functional Operation: Include a function that accepts parameters. Within this function, use a loop (e.g., a 'for' loop) to iterate through the list and conditional statements (if/else) to handle different scenarios based on the data.
Additional Tips:
Ensure the user input can navigate through conditional statements effectively.
Focus on creating a clean and intuitive user interface to enhance usability.
Resources: For further examples and inspiration, review the sample CSP Create Tasks available on the College Board website. These examples can provide a clearer picture of what is expected and how to structure your project to meet the AP criteria.
Example of My Create Task Submission: Jumping Game
In the 2023-2024 school year, I developed a game where the gameplay involved a dog that jumps when the player presses an arrow key, the space bar, or a mouse button. This game was coded in JavaScript, showcasing effective use of programming skills aligned with AP Computer Science Principles requirements.
Key Components of the Game:
User Input: The game responds to keyboard and mouse inputs, allowing the dog to jump.
Output: The game visually represents the character's jumps and displays scores.
Data Management: An array stores the scores, and a specific procedure determines and displays the highest score achieved.
Submitting Your Code to CollegeBoard
For an effective and organized submission of your code to the College Board, consider using the following website:
Code Print Tool: https://bakerfranke.github.io/codePrint/
Why Use It? This tool converts your code into a PDF file with several enhanced features:
Color Coding: Helps distinguish different parts of the code for better readability.
Line Numbers: Essential for referencing specific lines in your explanations.
Highlighting: Allows you to mark important sections of your code, which is particularly useful for parts that meet specific AP criteria.
Important Note on Using External Resources
When incorporating any external resources in your project, proper citation is crucial to maintain academic integrity and adhere to AP guidelines.
Images and Code Snippets:
If you use images or code not created by you, ensure to include a comprehensive citation. This should cover the title, author, source name, date of access, and the URL of the source.
Example citation for code or external content:
/* Citation/Reference: [Title] By [Author] Accessed from [Source Name] on [Date], URL: [https://example.com] */
Assistance from AI or Peers:
If your project involved assistance from AI tools or peers, it's important to acknowledge this collaboration clearly within your code comments.
Example of citing AI or peer assistance:
/*Citation/Reference: Artificial Intelligence was used to assist in optimizing this function, in compliance with peer collaboration guidelines.*/
Replace "Artificial Intelligence" with "peer" or "classmate" (keeping them anonymous) if the assistance was from a person.
These practices not only ensure transparency but also help in upholding the principles of fair use and academic honesty in your submissions. Always check the latest AP guidelines and your school's policy on collaborative work to make sure you're in compliance.
Acceptable Use of Generative AI Tools: Students are allowed to use generative AI technologies as supplementary aids. These tools can assist in understanding coding principles, developing code, and debugging. This use is in line with the AP guidelines for peer collaboration in coding projects. However, there are important considerations and responsibilities that come with the use of such tools:
Accuracy and Reliability: AI-generated code may be incomplete, potentially biased, or contain errors. It might also introduce inefficiencies or complexities that can complicate the execution and understanding of the code.
Student Responsibility: It is crucial for students to thoroughly review and understand any code co-developed with AI tools to ensure its proper functionality.
Code Explanation: Students must be prepared to explain their code in detail during the AP exam, demonstrating a deep understanding of the work submitted, regardless of the use of AI in its development.=
Acceptable Programming Languages and Products
For the AP Computer Science Principles course, students can choose from a wide range of programming languages and development environments. Here is a list of acceptable options, as mentioned on page 130 of the course materials:
Programming Languages and Environments:
Alice
App Inventor
App Lab (Code.org)
EarSketch
Greenfoot
Java
JavaScript
LEGO Mindstorms EV3
Microsoft MakeCode
Processing
Python
Quorum
Scratch
Snap!
Swift
TI-Basic
Note: HTML alone is not sufficient, as it doesn't involve programming logic. It can be used to display data but must be combined with JavaScript or another approved language handling the logic.
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