Teen Tech – Embedded Software Development Workshop for Teens – 3 November 2012
cybergamut is a group of industry, academic, and government professionals that works on cyber challenges. We address all phases of the cyber lifecycle and we’re continuously seeking talented individuals with creative, inquisitive minds to engage in this critical security imperative. As a follow up to our August Technical Tuesday event, we hosted a special Teen Tech on Saturday, 3 November 2012.
In August we provided an introduction to embedded programming using the Texas Instruments MSP430 Launchpad board, which we provided to participants. While that session was focused on adults, approximately a dozen younger attendees participated. Many of those teens would have benefited from a slower paced class that delved further into the details.
On Saturday, 3 November 2012 we provided a teen-focused workshop that stepped through the basics of embedded software development using the MSP430 Launchpad. We used the IAR embedded workbench development environment on Windows laptops.
The session began with an introduction of the Launchpad board. Attendees were guided through an exercise to blink the LEDs on the board. We discussed how to structure programming logic to solve a simple challenge – controlling the Elenco R3D3 line tracking robot. The class was provided an already assembled R3D3 robot. Each individual prepared their own software on their Launchpad to guide the robot, using a shared robot for debugging. When they hadworking code they tried the robot on one of several test tracks in the room.
Parents had a task as well. The R3D3 is a trivial robot that, when assembled according to directions, doesn’t even have a microprocessor. The robot is controlled through simple logic implemented with a few infrared emitters, sensors, and some transistors. Parents were challenged to understand this simple logic and then develop some challenge tracks which the “as designed” robot cannot complete. There were rules to make this a constructive exercise. Adults were given one fully assembled and working robot to test their challenge tracks. At the end of the session the teens attempted the challenge tracks as a test of their understanding and correct implementation of exception handling and robust software design.
