About

Why Lets Learn Programming?

After a season with 1296, I was unhappy with our training system for new programmers and started creating the Lets Learn Programming (LLP) series. Having been a TA for Iowa State’s “Intro to C” courses for nearly 4 years, I have a good grasp on how to teach newbies how to program. I used my experience as a TA and the structure of the hands-on labs to develop LLP.

Currently LLP is written with 1296’s 2017 robot in mind. As LLP grows and evolves, it will become a broader tool for instruction that can be used by others not affiliated with 1296.

Who is Katie?

I’m a computer engineer working who likes writing firmware. I’ve worked at places like Iris Automation and VEX Robotics. Currently I work at Orro.

I do a lot of robot stuff. I was a student on FRC 1675 in Milwaukee, WI. After graduating high school, I went to Iowa State University and with two other students started FRC 3928. I mentored 3928 for three years before taking a break to focus on graduating and instead volunteered as an FTA for FTC events. After graduation I moved to Texas and mentored FRC 1296 for two years. I also volunteered at local VEX events and have both worked and volunteered at VEX Worlds. In 2018, I moved to California and met local team, FRC 253.

One time Spectrum asked me questions about FRC and my job (2016), which you can find here - its pretty outdated at this point but that’s life. I frequent Chief Delphi under the username Katie_UPS.

Besides the engineering stuff, I have a very cute dog who accompanies me on backpacking and camping trips. I also enjoy creative pursuits such as painting and playing various musical instruments.

Who else is helping?

Jeffrey Tessitore: Jeffrey is an FRC 1296 alumni who is now attending Texas Tech. Jeffrey helped with writing some of the C++ tutorials.

Additionally, LLP has been modified to teach Java by Filip3314. Thanks Filip!

I have a suggestion for an improvement/correction

I’m always looking for ways to improve my teaching resources. If you found something incorrect, typo’d, or needs improving you can either submit an issue on github or email me at knwiden at gmail dot com.