Lesson 6 · Mini Project

The Podcasts Module

Apply every skill from this unit to build a real database from scratch — independently.

📨 Message from DataDrop HQ

We're launching Podcasts.

DataDrop is expanding. We're adding a Podcasts feature and need a database to manage it. You've been assigned as the lead analyst. Your task: design and build the Podcasts database, add realistic data, write SQL queries to answer key business questions, build a form for data entry, and create a report.

You have one lesson. At the end, you'll pitch your solution to the class — 2 minutes, one SQL query you're proud of.

📋

Technical Specification

Your Podcasts table must include the following fields. You may add more if you want.

Field Name	Data Type	Notes
PodcastID ⭐	AutoNumber	Primary key — auto-generated, unique
Title	Short Text	The podcast title (max 100 chars)
Host	Short Text	Name of the host(s)
Category	Short Text	e.g., Music, Crime, Comedy, Tech, Sport
Episodes	Number	Total number of episodes. Must be >= 1.
AvgListeners	Number	Average listeners per episode. Must be >= 0.
StartDate	Date/Time	When the podcast first launched
IsPremium	Yes/No	Is it a DataDrop Premium exclusive?

📊

SQL Queries Required

You must write three SQL queries in Access SQL View. You'll record them in Step 3.

1

Show all fields for podcasts in the Music category, sorted alphabetically by Title.

2

Show Title, Host, and AvgListeners for podcasts with over 50,000 average listeners, sorted from most to least popular.

3

Your choice — write a SQL query that would be useful to a DataDrop analyst. Explain what it does.

Step 2 · Design Phase

Design Your Database

Plan before you build. Fill in your design grid — the same way you did in Lesson 2.

📐

Podcasts Table — Design Grid

Complete all columns. The primary key is done for you. Use the spec from the previous step.

Field Name	Data Type	Required?	Validation Rule (if any)
PodcastID ⭐	AutoNumber	Yes	—

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Plan Your Sample Data

You'll need to add at least 10 realistic podcast records. Plan them here — mix up the categories, listener counts, and whether they're premium.

List 5 podcast titles you'll add (with their category):

Step 3 · Build Phase

Build & Query

Create a new blank Access database called Podcasts.accdb. Build your table, add your data, and write your SQL queries.

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Build Checklist

Create Podcasts table in Design View with all 8 required fields Can

Set PodcastID as Primary Key Can

Add validation to Episodes (must be ≥ 1) Can

Add validation to AvgListeners (must be ≥ 0) Can

Enter at least 10 realistic podcast records Can

Test both validation rules (try entering invalid data) Could

Add Lookup Wizard to Category field Could

Build a data entry Form for the Podcasts table Could

Customise the Form (title, colours, labels) Could

Create a Report based on a query Should

Style the Report to look professional Should

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Your SQL Queries

Write all three SQL queries below. Run them in Access SQL View and record how many records each returns.

// SQL Query 1 — Music podcasts, sorted by title

Show all fields for podcasts in the Music category, sorted alphabetically by Title.

Records returned:

// SQL Query 2 — Most popular podcasts

Show Title, Host, AvgListeners for podcasts with over 50,000 average listeners, sorted most to least popular.

Records returned:

// SQL Query 3 — Your choice

Write a SQL query that would be useful for a DataDrop analyst. Explain what it does below.

What does this query do?

Step 4 · Review

Final Checklist

Before you do your pitch, make sure your database meets the brief. Tick off each item.

✅

Project Completion Check

Table has all 8 required fields with correct data types

PodcastID is set as the primary key

At least one validation rule is working and tested

At least 10 records entered with realistic data

All three SQL queries work and return the correct results

I can explain what my "own choice" SQL query does

I have a form or report (one of each for full marks)

🪞

Self-Reflection

What are you most proud of in your database?

What was the hardest part, and how did you solve it?

If you had more time, what would you add or improve?

Step 5 · Pitch

The 2-Minute Pitch

You're presenting your Podcasts database to the DataDrop leadership team. Two minutes. One SQL query. Make it count.

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Your Pitch Structure

30s

What did you build?

Describe your Podcasts table — how many fields, how many records, what validation rules you added.

60s

Show your SQL query

Pick one SQL query (your "own choice" one works well). Show it on screen in Access. Explain what it does and why it's useful to DataDrop.

30s

What would you improve?

One thing you'd add if you had more time — shows you can think beyond the spec.

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Pitch Notes

Use this space to plan your pitch. What key points will you make?

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Export Your Answers

Download all your answers from every section as a text file — then upload to Google Classroom.

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Unit Complete!

You've completed the DataDrop database unit. You can now design databases, write SQL, build forms and reports — skills used every day at Spotify, Google, the NHS, and thousands of other organisations.

Peer Review Form → Unit Home