Good morning, everyone! I’m Pat Young Praditt, the Chief Academic Officer at Code.org. Welcome to our exciting session, “My Journey Building the Internet of Things,” part of the CS Journeys Class Chats. Today, we have a special guest, Wale Oladahi from Amazon, who will share his experiences and insights with us.
Wale Oladahi is the Head of Solution Architects in the Internet of Things (IoT) at Amazon. He’s been with Amazon for seven years. Besides his tech career, Wale has a fun side—he was a professional salsa dancer and a breakdancer! Let’s dive into his journey and learn more about his work and interests.
Wale leads a team that helps connect devices to the internet, making them smarter and more useful. This is what the Internet of Things (IoT) is all about—connecting everyday devices like smart home gadgets and gaming consoles to the internet to enhance their functionality.
Wale’s love for computer science began in the fourth grade. He studied it in college and has worked on exciting projects, like optimizing wind farms for Amazon’s wind energy team. This involved using programming to analyze data from wind turbines, showcasing the power of computer science in solving real-world problems.
Wale faced challenges, such as feeling out of place at Princeton University. He learned to embrace his unique background and the value he brings. Managing a diverse team at Amazon also posed challenges, but he emphasizes the importance of ensuring everyone’s voice is heard.
Wale encourages students to embrace mistakes as learning opportunities. He suggests finding side projects that spark your interest, like creating animations or building something with Raspberry Pi or Amazon’s Educate microcontroller. These platforms are great for learning the basics of hardware and programming.
Wale shared a valuable lesson from a mistake he made at work. He underestimated the testing time for a large deployment, leading to issues. This taught him the importance of thorough testing and planning, especially during critical times like the holiday season.
Wale’s advice is to absorb what is useful, discard what isn’t, and make your learning experience uniquely your own. Collaborate with classmates to enhance your learning journey. Remember, computer science is not just about coding; it’s about solving problems and creating innovative solutions.
Thank you, Wale, for sharing your journey and insights with us. And thank you to everyone for joining us on Code.org’s CS Journeys Class Chats!
Research different Internet of Things (IoT) devices that are commonly used today. Create a short presentation to share with the class, explaining how these devices connect to the internet and enhance their functionality. Focus on one device that interests you the most and discuss its impact on everyday life.
Using a Raspberry Pi, work on a simple project that involves connecting a sensor or device to the internet. Document your process and share your findings with the class. This activity will help you understand the basics of hardware and programming, as suggested by Wale Oladahi.
In small groups, discuss a challenge you have faced in your learning journey. Share how you overcame it or what you learned from it. Reflect on Wale’s experiences and advice about embracing your unique background and ensuring everyone’s voice is heard.
Use a programming platform to create a simple animation or game. This side project should be something that sparks your interest and allows you to explore your creativity. Share your project with the class and discuss the coding concepts you used.
Design a testing plan for a hypothetical IoT deployment. Consider potential issues and how you would address them. Present your strategy to the class, highlighting the importance of thorough testing and planning, as learned from Wale’s experience.
**Sanitized Transcript:**
Good morning, everyone! My name is Pat Young Praditt, and I’m the Chief Academic Officer at Code.org. Welcome to CS Journeys Class Chats. Today, we have an exciting session titled “My Journey Building the Internet of Things.”
I’m thrilled to introduce our speaker, Wale Oladahi, from Amazon. Wale, could you introduce yourself and tell us a bit about your role at Amazon, as well as what you enjoy doing outside of work?
Wale: Thank you, Pat! I’m really excited to be here today. My name is Wale Oladahi, and I am the Head of Solution Architects in the Internet of Things (IoT) at Amazon. I’ve been with Amazon for seven years. Interestingly, outside of technology, I was a professional salsa dancer for several years. I also used to be a breakdancer! So, I enjoy having fun beyond just sitting behind a keyboard.
Pat: That’s fascinating! I have tried salsa dancing before, but I struggle with my timing. Could you show me some basic movements and maybe a turn?
Wale: Absolutely! Students out there, feel free to join us. Yes, that’s right! This morning, you’re going to learn a little salsa dancing. So, everyone, please stand up.
[Music plays]
Wale: The secret with the timing is: one, two, three, pause on four, five, six, seven. We’ll start with your right leg. Think: one, two, three, five, six, seven. Your arms can do a little figure eight.
[Demonstration continues]
Pat: Great job!
Wale: So, as the Head of Worldwide Solutions Architects at Amazon, I also enjoy salsa dancing.
Pat: That’s impressive! Can you tell us what role computer science plays in your career and share an example of a recent project you’ve worked on?
Wale: Sure! I studied computer science in college and started programming in the fourth grade. Computer science provides valuable theories that remain relevant over time. For example, I recently worked on a project with Amazon’s wind energy team to optimize wind farms. We analyzed data from wind turbines to capture energy efficiently, which involved programming concepts like conditional actions based on input.
Pat: That’s really interesting! Can you explain what the Internet of Things is?
Wale: The Internet of Things refers to devices connected to the internet, like smart home devices and gaming consoles. My team helps customers connect these devices to the internet, enhancing their functionality and user experience.
Pat: How did you get to where you are today, and who helped you along the way?
Wale: I grew up in a Nigerian family where it was expected that I would become a doctor or lawyer. However, I fell in love with programming at a young age. I studied computer science and pursued my passion for sports and dance. Along the way, I had great mentors, including my college professor, Brian Kernighan, who taught me how to think differently about programming.
Pat: What obstacles have you faced, and how did you overcome them?
Wale: One challenge was feeling out of place at Princeton University, surrounded by high achievers. I learned to embrace my unique background and recognize the value I bring to the table. More recently, managing a large team across different cultures has also been a challenge, but it’s important to ensure everyone’s voice is heard.
Pat: What advice would you give to students just starting in computer science?
Wale: Don’t be afraid to make mistakes! Understanding what happens when things go wrong is crucial. Also, find side projects that interest you. For example, I created animations of Snoopy when I was younger. Choose something you’re passionate about to keep you motivated.
Pat: We have a question from a student about getting started with the Internet of Things. What resources would you recommend?
Wale: I recommend starting with Raspberry Pi or Amazon’s new microcontroller, called the Educate. These platforms are great for learning the basics of hardware and programming.
Pat: Can you share a mistake you made at work and what you learned from it?
Wale: One mistake I made was underestimating the testing time for a large deployment during the holiday season. We launched without adequate testing, leading to capacity issues. It taught me the importance of thorough testing and planning.
Pat: As we wrap up, what key takeaway would you like to leave with the students?
Wale: Remember to absorb what is useful, discard what is not, and make it uniquely your own. Collaborate with your classmates; working together can enhance your learning experience.
Pat: Thank you, Wale, for sharing your insights today. And thank you to everyone for joining us on Code.org’s CS Journeys Class Chats!
Computer – An electronic device that processes data and performs tasks according to instructions from a software program. – Example sentence: “I used my computer to complete the coding assignment for my computer science class.”
Science – The systematic study of the structure and behavior of the physical and natural world through observation and experiment. – Example sentence: “Computer science involves using algorithms to solve complex problems.”
Coding – The process of writing instructions for a computer to perform specific tasks. – Example sentence: “We spent the afternoon coding a simple game using Python.”
Internet – A global network of computers that allows people to communicate and access information from anywhere in the world. – Example sentence: “I used the internet to research solutions for my coding project.”
Devices – Electronic tools or gadgets that perform specific functions, often connected to a computer or network. – Example sentence: “Many students use mobile devices to access educational apps and resources.”
Programming – The act of creating software by writing code in various programming languages. – Example sentence: “Programming requires logical thinking and problem-solving skills.”
Amazon – A large technology company known for its e-commerce platform, cloud computing services, and digital streaming. – Example sentence: “Amazon Web Services offers cloud computing solutions that are widely used by developers.”
Learning – The process of acquiring knowledge or skills through study, experience, or teaching. – Example sentence: “Online platforms provide many opportunities for learning new programming languages.”
Challenges – Difficult tasks or problems that require effort and skill to overcome. – Example sentence: “Debugging code can present challenges, but it’s a great way to learn.”
Hardware – The physical components of a computer system, such as the CPU, memory, and storage devices. – Example sentence: “Understanding computer hardware is essential for building and repairing computers.”
