DiscoverU at CCSE

Experience College Before College

A young computer student works on an assignment.

DiscoverU at Kennesaw State University offers high school students a chance to explore careers alongside experts, gain real-world skills, and experience campus life in a fun, hands-on summer program. 

 

Course Information

Build Your Own Desktop App

Ever wonder how you could build your own desktop apps? Join us to learn how to use Python and Tkinter to build your own computer programs.

  • For students going into 11th and 12th grades
    Dates: June 2-6 from 9:00AM to 3:00PM
    Location: 1100 S Marietta Pkwy SE, Atrium Building
    Cost: $499

    Register
  • Dmitri Fernandes
    With a Master's in Computer Science, Dmitri Fernandes lectures for the First Year Experience program and supports students right as they start at KSU. In his spare time, he likes to play video games.

 

 

A young women sits on a desk, her laptop on her knees.

Robot Programming

Come build your first robot! In Robot Programming, you'll learn how to code basic movements and behaviors, navigate simple arenas, use environmental sensors to gauge distance, color and balance, and develop custom algorithms for autonomous robots.

  • For students going into 9th through 12th grades
    Dates: June 2-6 from 9:00AM to 3:00PM
    Location: 1100 S Marietta Pkwy SE, Atrium Building
    Cost: $499

    Register
  • Waqas Majeed

    With a passion for manufacturing and aerospace applications of robotics, Waqas Majeed studies autonomous and intelligent systems,  robots control and end-to-end design. A Ph.D. graduate from the Georgia Institute of Technology and a recent KSU nominee for the Governor's Teaching Fellowship, Waqas has both won individual robotics grants and led robotics competition teams to top prizes. He is passionate about engaging students and fostering learning that leads to student success. 

 

 

A computer engineering student rewires a robot.

Build Your First Website: Beginner Web Development Bootcamp

Learn how to create your own websites from scratch. Through hands-on activities and interactive lessons, you'll explore the foundations of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. By the end of the 10-day program, you'll build a fully functional, multi-page website and gain the confidence to continue your web development journey. Perfect for high school students preparing for college or anyone wanting to dive into the exciting world of web design and development.

  • For students going into 11th and 12th grades
    Dates: June 2-13 from 9:00AM to 3:00PM (M-F)
    Location: 1100 S Marietta Pkwy SE, Atrium Building
    Cost: $999

    Register
  • Harshitha Nirujogi
    With a background in computer science and a strong foundation in coding, Harshitha Nirujogi specializes in making web development accessible and engaging for students of all skill levels. Having taught numerous coding workshops and bootcamps, Harshitha focuses on hands-on learning, ensuring that students not only understand key concepts but also gain practical experience building real-world projects. Through this bootcamp, Harshitha aims to inspire the next generation of web developers by fostering creativity, problem-solving skills, and confidence in coding.

 

 

A web designer reviews a website.

Data Science Bootcamp: Stats and R for Future Innovators

Job demand for data scientists and analysts is growing. In this introductory course, you'll explore fundamental concepts in Probability and Statistics through the lens of the Scientific Method—Research Questions, Data Collection, Analysis, and Conclusions - and you'll learn to apply these concepts using R, a versatile open-source statistical software. From performing data analysis and creating rich data visualizations, you'll tackle hands-on exercises and discuss practical use cases that will help you understand real-world business needs. 

  • For students going into 9th through 12th grades
    Dates: June 9-13 from 9:00AM to 3:00PM
    Location: 1100 S Marietta Pkwy SE, Atrium Building
    Cost: $499

    Register
  • Aradhana Soni

    Artadhana Soni is a Lecturer in the Department of Data Science and Analytics at Kennesaw State University, with a Ph.D. in Industrial and Systems Engineering from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and a master’s degree in Mathematics and Statistics from East Tennessee State University.

    With over 12 years of experience—including 7.5 years as an actuarial assistant manager at Mercer—her expertise spans machine learning, data analysis, optimization, simulation, and risk management. Her background includes developing analytical models and solving complex problems across industries. Passionate about data-driven innovation, she strives to inspire and equip future innovators through teaching and research.

 

 

Data displays in graphs in print and on a mobile device.

Code and Play: Building Interactive Games with Rapid Prototyping

In this dynamic one-week summer camp, you'll dive into game programming and aim to complete an interactive game using rapid prototyping techniques. Through hands-on team projects, you'll explore the fundamentals of coding, game design, and integrating digital assets to create engaging, interactive experiences. You don't need to have much programming experience in advance, and you'll leave with a portfolio of projects to build upon in the future.

  • For students going into 9th through 12th grades
    Dates: July 7-11 from 9:00AM to 3:00PM
    Location: 1100 S Marietta Pkwy SE, Atrium Building
    Cost: $499

    Register
  • Sungchul Jung
    Sungchul Jung is an assistant professor at the Department of Software Engineering and Game Design and Development at Kennesaw State University. He received his Ph.D. in Computer Science at the University of Central Florida in 2018. His research interests lie in the field of extended reality (VR/MR/AR) and human-computer interaction (HCI). In this area, he is particularly interested in fully immersive and interactive synthetic environments that enhance human perception and cognition, with applications in areas such as game design, education, entertainment, simulation, and medical treatment. He has extensive publication experience as both a primary author and co-author in prestigious conferences and journals, including IEEE Virtual Reality, IEEE ISMAR, ACM VRST, ACM UIST, ACM CSCW, TVCG and Frontiers.

 

 

A teenager builds a world in Minecraft.

How Computers Really Work: Raspberry Pi Edition

Most people know how to use a computer, and many can write computer code, but how does the computer turn that code into all the wonderful things it can do? This course explains, with hands-on exercises and approachable language, how computers really work, including how images, sounds, and video are represented by numbers and how chips with millions of transistors process those numbers.

Throughout the course, you'll use a digital logic simulator to learn how digital logic within computers works, learn about digital input and control with a Raspberry Pi computer, and take home the textbook for further study.

This course is suitable for everyone, although it may be helpful to have experience with a high-level programming language such as Java or Python.

The beginning of the 21st century is an exciting time for those who make, use, and study computers and computer systems, and this course provides the basis for keeping up with the changes that are taking place right now.

  • For students going into 10th through 12th grades
    Dates: July 7-11 from 9:00AM to 3:00PM
    Location: 1100 S Marietta Pkwy SE, Atrium Building
    Cost: $539

    Register
  • Bob Brown
    Bob Brown built a 30-year career in information technology, most of it in the health care industry. In his second career, Bob taught information technology and computer science for over 20 years at Southern College of Technology, Southern Polytechnic State University, and Kennesaw State University. Although he’s now retired, Dr. Brown still teaches one course a year, conducts Raspberry Pi workshops for K-12 teachers, and visits Atlanta area schools to talk about STEM and computing. He is the author of "Computing Concepts: How Computers Really Work." Bob’s master’s degree is from Southern College of Technology and his Ph.D. is from Nova Southeastern University.

 

 

A woman stands at a whiteboard to outline how a computer works, from circuit development to digital logic processing.