SCI Brings Robotics-Driven CS Education to SIGCSE 2025

As advancements in generative AI reshape the field and students face an increasingly competitive internship market, Georgia Tech’s introductory computer science (CS) courses are evolving to emphasize hands-on, real-world applications.

A new study examines the impact of integrating robotics into CS—a project led by School of Computing Instruction (SCI) faculty member Rodrigo Borela, with contributions from fellow faculty member Melinda McDaniel and head teaching assistant Zhixian "Chris" Liding.

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Borela and his team will share their findings at the SIGCSE Technical Symposium 2025. They will present an accepted paper and accompanying talk on how robotics can enhance introductory CS education.

The study stems from Borela’s efforts to integrate robotics into CS1, an introductory CS course. With support from Georgia Tech’s Transformative Teaching and Learning Innovator Grant, Borela introduced robotics lab assignments into his course, focusing on experiential learning.

Over two semesters, more than 100 students participated, programming robots in Python to complete tasks like navigating mazes and avoiding obstacles using sensors. The goal is to foster teamwork, problem-solving skills, and confidence in applying coding techniques to real-world scenarios.

“Instead of just writing code in isolation, students programmed robots to navigate obstacles and simulate delivery routes, helping them develop systems-level thinking,” Borela said. “This hands-on approach goes beyond coding; it builds confidence, curiosity, and the ability to troubleshoot in complex, unpredictable scenarios.” 

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The study compared this robotics-based curriculum with traditional web development labs. Results showed that students in the robotics section demonstrated a twofold improvement in understanding course topics, as reflected in exam grades. They also reported heightened engagement and confidence in computational thinking and real-world applications.

“Compared to students doing traditional web development labs, those in the robotics group showed more confidence in their coding skills and a better understanding of systems thinking. Plus, they had fun—some even recorded their robots in action to share with friends,” he said.

The curriculum combined individual and team projects, significant engagement time, and reflective practices to promote deeper learning. Students built foundational coding skills and gained exposure to collaborative problem-solving, an essential skill in today’s tech-driven industries.

Beyond this robotics-focused research, SCI faculty and students are showcasing additional projects at SIGCSE 2025. Explore their full lineup of research here.