This week, the Department of Computer Science at Boise State University welcomed a group of eager and curious students from Twin Falls, Idaho for a special hands-on learning experience focused on cutting-edge topics in computer science. The visiting group, consisting of high school students with a growing interest in technology, had the unique opportunity to dive into the world of Robot Programming, Large Language Models (LLMs), and cloud-based development using GitHub Codespaces. The day was designed to inspire and inform future computer scientists by providing exposure to real-world tools and concepts that are shaping the future of technology.
Exploring the World of Programming Robots
The visit began with an engaging session on Programming Robots. Students were able to work on several different robot platforms and get the robots to detect colors, objects, and move around.
Learning about Large Language Models
As everyone ate lunch, they were treated with a presentation on Large Language Models — the same kind of AI technology that powers tools like ChatGPT. Students learned how LLMs work under the hood, how they are trained, and how they can be applied in real-world settings from automated writing assistance to code generation and beyond. The discussion also touched on the ethical implications and responsibilities involved in working with AI technologies.
Hands-On Coding in the Cloud
Following the AI talk, students rolled up their sleeves and jumped into coding using GitHub Codespaces, a cloud-based development environment that lets users write, test, and run code entirely in the browser. With guidance from Boise State faculty the Twin Falls group explored how cloud development enables collaboration, remote access, and rapid deployment — skills highly relevant in today’s tech industry.
Pizza, Soda, and Peer Connections
Of course, no tech meetup is complete without some pizza and soda! During lunch, students had the chance to network with current Boise State computer science faculty, ask questions about college life, and get advice on preparing for a future in tech.
The day was filled with learning, curiosity, and a shared excitement for what lies ahead in the world of computer science. We were thrilled to host such a motivated group from Twin Falls and hope to see many of them back on campus in the near future — maybe even as Bronco CS majors!