IGNITE Create a Retro Video Game Workshop with Microsoft

On March 2, IGNITE Students from Federal Way Public Academy participated in the IGNITE Workshop Create a Retro-Style Video Game with Microsoft. During the session, students explored the fundamentals of coding and game design while learning directly from professionals working in technology and gaming.

The workshop was led by Genevieve Warren with support from Smriti Singh. Students learned how to use the Python programming language to control a digital “turtle” on the screen, guiding it to draw colorful flowers and shapes. Through this activity, students were introduced to important programming concepts such as object-oriented programming, loops, methods, and parameters. Even students with no prior coding experience were able to build a small interactive program and experiment creatively with their designs.

After the activity, students heard from a panel of Microsoft professionals working across the tech and gaming industries. Panelists included Katie Stone Perez, Smriti Singh, and Genevieve Warren. Panelists shared their career journeys and described the variety of roles that exist within technology, including accessibility in gaming, artificial intelligence development, and technical education.

Students asked thoughtful and wide-ranging questions about STEM careers, including which universities are helpful for technology careers, how artificial intelligence is changing daily work, what work-life balance looks like in the tech industry, and what benefits STEM careers can offer. They were also curious about salaries, career paths, and how professionals decide which roles are right for them.

Panelists encouraged students to pursue their interests in STEM and reminded them that failure is a natural and important part of learning. They emphasized the importance of networking, finding mentors and role models, and continuing to explore different opportunities. Panelists also spoke about the value of diversity in technology, explaining that more women and diverse perspectives help create more innovative and inclusive products.

Students also saw an example of a new gaming and AI tool being developed that can generate a simple game from a single text prompt. Volunteers highlighted how learning foundational coding skills, like those practiced in the workshop, combined with modern AI tools, can empower future innovators to build products that impact millions of people.

The event was highly interactive, with students asking many questions and actively participating in the coding activity. Many students left feeling excited about the possibilities within technology and motivated to challenge stereotypes and pursue their own ideas in STEM.