diff --git a/labs/lab_1/lab_1a.py b/labs/lab_1/lab_1a.py
index 9d15ec837..1f186e66e 100644
--- a/labs/lab_1/lab_1a.py
+++ b/labs/lab_1/lab_1a.py
@@ -3,14 +3,17 @@
 
 The first lab in the BWSI CSS course. To complete this lab, fill out the variable on line 10
 with your name. Then, save the code, add it to the staging area, and commit it to the Git tree.
+
+This is to simulate a change made on a robot: robot_speed = 8 # m/s
 """
 
 def main():
     print("Hello World!")
 
-    name = "" # TODO: Insert your name between the double quotes
+    name = "Stefen King" # TODO: Insert your name between the double quotes
 
     print(f"{name}, Welcome to the CSS course!")
+    print("Hello, my name is Stefen King. I'm a junior at Pass Christian High school in southern Mississippi. I love robotics, football, and music.")
 
 if __name__ == "__main__":
     main()
diff --git a/labs/lab_1/lab_1b.py b/labs/lab_1/lab_1b.py
index e58dd9578..6c722c846 100644
--- a/labs/lab_1/lab_1b.py
+++ b/labs/lab_1/lab_1b.py
@@ -37,14 +37,41 @@ def simple_calculator(operation: str, num1: float, num2: float) -> float:
     else:
         raise ValueError("Invalid operation. Please choose from 'add', 'subtract', 'multiply', or 'divide'.")
 
+def request_sanitized_number(prompt: str) -> float:
+    """
+    Function to request and sanitize user input for the operation
+
+    Returns:
+        float: the sanitized numeric input by the user.
+    """
+    while True:
+        try:
+            number = float(input(prompt))
+            return number
+        except ValueError:
+            print("Invalid input. Please enter a valid number.")
+
+def request_sanitized_operation(prompt: str) -> str:
+    """
+    Function to request and sanitize user input for the operation
+
+    Returns:
+        str: the sanitized operation input by the user.
+    """
+    while True:
+        operation = input(prompt).strip().lower()
+        if operation in ["add", "subtract", "multiply", "divide"]:
+            return operation
+        else:
+            print("Invalid operation. Please choose from 'add', 'subtract', 'multiply', or 'divide'.")
 def main():
     
     print(f"===== Simple Calculator =====")
 
     # Ask the user for sample input    
-    num1 = float(input("Enter the first number: "))
-    num2 = float(input("Enter the second number: "))
-    operation = input("Enter the operation (add, subtract, multiply, divide): ").strip().lower()
+    num1 = request_sanitized_number("Enter the first number: ")
+    num2 = request_sanitized_number("Enter the second number: ")
+    operation = request_sanitized_operation("Enter the operation (add, subtract, multiply, divide): ")
 
     # Perform the calculation and display the result
     result = simple_calculator(operation, num1, num2)