Windsor DevFest students learn programming [Video]

As several of Windsor’s top minds in technology shared their knowledge at the University of Windsor on Saturday morning, the next generation of experts worked hard to get their wheels turning.

About 20 high school students participated in the youth programming event held as part of the annual Windsor-Essex DevFest.

Ron McKenzie, a teacher at Vincent Massey Secondary School, helped students transform wheels, circuits and sensors into functioning model cars.

“So, what we’re looking at is the interface between software and hardware, in simple terms, how to program a robot,” McKenzie said. “So we’re starting from barebones with no knowledge at all.”

The challenge presented meant that students had to learn the technical and digital skills to work the car’s lights and motor. Once completed, the vehicle must avoid obstacles and follow lines.

McKenzie said he makes the instructions “a little vague” to force students to think about the process. …