GVSU College of Computing Welcomes High School Students Through Hands-On Bus-In Visit
Published April 7, 2026 by Esther Djan
The Grand Valley State University College of Computing recently welcomed high school students to campus for an immersive “Bus-In” visit—an initiative designed to introduce prospective students to the possibilities within computing through hands-on learning and meaningful connections.
The goal of these visits is to engage students who have expressed an interest in computing and give them a firsthand look at what studying the field at GVSU can offer. Throughout the day, students explored campus facilities, connected with faculty and current students, and participated in interactive activities that brought classroom concepts to life. The experience is designed to help students envision themselves as future Computing Lakers while gaining a deeper understanding of how computing aligns with their personal and career goals.
Beyond student engagement, the visits also serve as an important bridge between the College of Computing and K–12 educators across West Michigan. By building strong relationships with schools and teachers, the College continues to strengthen the pipeline from high school to higher education and into the workforce.
A key highlight of the visit was a hands-on activity featuring GoPiGo robots powered by Raspberry Pi technology. Students had the opportunity to program and navigate the robots through a course, working with both block-based coding and Python. For many, this was their first time interacting with this type of hardware, making the experience both exciting and eye-opening.
The activity brought together students of all experience levels—from those with prior coding knowledge to beginners exploring programming for the first time. One of the most impactful moments came as prospective students collaborated side-by-side with current GVSU computing students. This created a natural environment for conversation, allowing visitors to ask questions and gain honest insights about college life, academics, and career pathways.
Student feedback from the visit was overwhelmingly positive. Many highlighted the hands-on robot activity, the opportunity to learn coding concepts, and the chance to connect with faculty and current students over lunch. Touring labs and classrooms in the Mackinac Hall (MAK) space also helped students visualize what their future at GVSU could look like.
Experiences like this play a critical role in helping students connect classroom learning to real-world applications. By actively engaging with technology, students can better understand how their interests in computing can translate into meaningful academic pursuits and future careers.
Ultimately, each student left with a clear message: there is a place for them at GVSU. Whether through hands-on exploration, conversations with current students, or exposure to new technologies, the Bus-In visit is designed to help prospective students see themselves not only as college students, but as future innovators in the field of computing.
