High School Students Explore Python Programming and Robotics

The Department of Computing, Information and Mathematical Sciences, and Technology (CIMST) at Chicago State University offered CPTR 2140 – Python Programming during the Summer 2026 semester, providing high school students with an exciting opportunity to develop programming skills while gaining hands-on experience with robotics. The program was held from June 22 through July 30, 2026.

High school students from various area schools participated in the course through Chicago State University's Dual Enrollment Program. The course was taught by Ms. Neha Pathan Khanam, who introduced students to the fundamentals of Python programming and guided them in applying their coding knowledge through hands-on robotics activities.

Three students collaborate around a table in a classroom while assembling parts from a robotics kit.

Two students assemble a metal robotics chassis at a classroom work table filled with parts, tools, and instruction guides.

Two students work together at a desk, using a screwdriver to assemble a metal robotics component during a hands-on lab activity.

A student standing at a table demonstrates a robotic wheel component to seated classmates reviewing assembly instructions.

As part of the course, students built robots and programmed them using Python, learning how computer programs can control robotic systems and enable robots to move and perform specific tasks. This integration of programming and robotics allowed students to see their code come to life while developing computational thinking, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.

Two students lean over a table to carefully assemble a rectangular metal robotics frame using small hand tools.

Three students wearing green lanyards work around a table, reviewing an instruction binder and selecting robotics parts from a blue storage bin.

Students worked collaboratively in teams to develop robotics projects, strengthening their creativity, communication, and teamwork skills. At the conclusion of the program, the teams competed with one another and presented their final projects before a university audience, demonstrating their Python programming and robotics skills and showcasing what they had accomplished throughout the course.

The summer Dual Enrollment Program was hosted and coordinated by Marnie Boyd, whose coordination helped provide participating high school students with an engaging university learning experience. Dr. Mohammad Salam, Chair of the CIMST Department, supported the program by providing the necessary departmental resources and facilities for the programming and robotics activities.

Two young women sit at a lab table filled with robotics parts, tools, and cardboard boxes. One student wearing headphones checks instructions on a smartphone while her classmate holds small component packaging.

Three students collaborate around a work table to assemble a four-wheeled metal robot using printed diagrams and small tools.

Two students sit across a lab table, unbagging small hardware components to assemble a robotics frame.

Two students collaborate at a desk to construct a square metal robot frame using parts and scissors from an engineering kit.

Two students sit at a classroom desk—one reviewing notes on a tablet with a stylus while the other uses a hand tool to assemble a metal robotics frame.

Through initiatives such as CPTR 2140 and the Dual Enrollment Program, CIMST continues to provide high school students with early exposure to university-level computing education and emerging technologies. The program introduced students to Python programming, robotics, collaborative project development, and technical presentations, while encouraging them to explore future educational and career opportunities in computer science,

engineering, robotics, and related technology fields.

A young woman wearing glasses smiles while holding up a finished four-wheeled metal robot prototype inside a classroom. Another young woman smiles while holding up her finished four-wheeled metal robot prototype.

Three students posing together with floral leis, with one student holding up a completed custom robot prototype.

Three smiling students pose together, with the middle student wearing a purple floral lei and holding a finished custom robot build.

CIMST congratulates all participating students and recognizes Ms. Neha Pathan Khanam, Marnie Boyd, Dr. Mohammad Salam, and many judges for their contributions to making this summer learning experience possible.