Coding Bootcamp Project
Project Award
04/01/2024 – Ponce, Puerto Rico
Dr. Diana M. López Robledo, associate professor at the University of Puerto Rico at Ponce, has been awarded $199,999.00 by the National Science Foundation (NSF) to enhance education in two programming courses from the Computer Sciences Department. The two-year award is part of the Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSI) Program from NSF.
The project started on April 1, 2024 and will end on March 30,2026. The project has 6 peer mentors who work with participants to develop programming skills. Additionally, the director has a collaborative team, which consists of a coordinator, faculty mentors, and an administrative assistant.
For any information related to this federal funded project, you can contact us at the email address diana.lopez2@upr.edu.
Project Staff
Dr. Diana M. López Robledo
Director
diana.lopez2@upr.edu
Dr. Luis Daza Portocarrero
Coordinator
luis.daza@upr.edu
Cynthia Martínez Nieves
Administrative Assistant
cynthia.martinez5@upr.edu
Peer mentors
Angélica C. Garayúa González
Peer mentor
angélica.garayua@upr.edu
Edmaris García Mercado
Peer mentor
edmaris.garcia@upr.edu
Zahíra Y. Cardona Bobé
Peer mentor
zahira.cardona1@upr.edu
Alex O. Negrón Quiles
Peer mentor
alex.negron7@upr.edu
Dereck X. Altori Nieves
Peer mentor
dereck.altori@upr.edu
Zabdiel J. Figueroa Muñiz
Peer mentor
zabdiel.figueroa2@upr.edu
Keyshla Rivera Santiago
Peer mentor
keyshla.rivera8@upr.edu
Edgar J. Zapata Negrón
Peer mentor
edgar.zapata@upr.edu
Faculty mentors
Prof. Hernando Valero Melagarejo
Faculty mentor
hernando.valero@upr.edu
Dr. Santiago Lazo Villela
Faculty mentor
santiago.lazo@upr.edu
Dr. Edwin Colón Marrero
Faculty mentor
edwin.colon19@upr.edu
Peer Mentors
Participants
Participants of this pilot project receive:
- $650 stipend (financial aid)
- personalized mentorship and counseling
- career exploration through shadowing experiences with IT professionals
- access to academic module with programming concepts and exercises
- workshops and conferences by peers and external professionals
- access to Company Tour and other extracurricular activities
Note: A maximum of 20 participants will be recruited for each bootcamp.
Eligibility to apply
- U.S. citizen
- Full-time student at the Computer Sciences Department (SICI) at UPR Ponce
- Enroll in Algorithm and programs development I (COTI 3101) or Algorithm and programs development II (COTI 3102)
Application
Application for Coding Bootcamp Level 1 during the second semester 2024-2025: uprpcodingbootcamp
Announcements
Activities August-December 2024
Closing Activity
December 4, 2024 – UPRP
Ponce, Puerto Rico
On Tuesday, December 3, the Closing Activity of the Level 2 Bootcamp was held. The students who participated in the project had the opportunity to share their experiences from the bootcamp and its activities. Present at the event were student mentors, faculty mentors, the director and administrative staff of the Computer Sciences Department, the Dean of Academic Affairs, and the Chancellor.
At the beginning of the activity, participants went through a computer station where they shared their experiences by adding a slide to a presentation. On their slide, each student shared some details about their experience. Then, they proceeded to complete the final evaluation using a QR code. During the event, everyone enjoyed a lunch. Certificates of recognition were awarded to both participants and mentors. Additionally, special recognition was given to four participants who achieved perfect attendance throughout the bootcamp activities. The students expressed enthusiasm and gratitude for all the experiences provided by the bootcamp, acknowledging its positive impact on their academic development.
Shadowing Challenge
November 7, 2024 – UPRP
Ponce, Puerto Rico
During the Shadowing Challenge, the students had the challenge of sharing their experiences with their bootcamp peers, mentors and project staff. Although an evaluation form for the shadowing activities had been sent and completed by all participants, this activity aimed to allow them to learn about their peers’ experiences. They could also assess how things went at other companies. Since the students went in different groups, on different days, and to different companies, not all experiences were the same for everyone. The purpose of the activity was for each student to share their personal impressions of the experience.
They were also asked to describe how they felt during the activity using two adjectives. All the adjectives used to describe the experience were positive, confirming that the students had a pleasant experience. After each student had prepared their slide individually, they stood in front of their peers to present their experience. The activity was motivating, and everyone expressed satisfaction with what they had learned at the company.
Shadowing Experiences
October 21-25, 2024 – UPRP
Ponce & Juana Díaz, Puerto Rico
The Coding Bootcamp pilot project aims to provide students with practical experiences that complement their classroom learning and give them a real view of the work environment in the technology industry. A collaboration agreement was made with several companies in Ponce and Juana Diaz to allow students to participate in Shadowing Experiences. Shadowing enabled students to visit IT departments to observe and learn directly from IT professionals, helping them better understand the practical applications of their knowledge and develop a clearer vision of their future careers.
The bootcamp participants and peer mentors attended the shadowing experiences and had the opportunity to explore the IT field through real-world experience. Each experience included transportation to the company, and once it was over, the students returned to the university. We appreciate each of the companies that accepted the collaboration for the students’ professional development, offering them an unforgettable experience.
Company Tour
October 18, 2024 – UPRP
Guaynabo, Puerto Rico
Project participants attended a Company Tour at PharmPix Corp, accompanied by faculty and the Project director. They observed work areas, departments, and a collaborative work environment where teamwork was evident. The tour and presentations helped connect classroom theory with real-world practice, strengthening their interest in IT and motivating some to explore various specialties within the field. Two alumni, now part of the company’s IT staff, joined the experience, which highlighted the role of each area in IT.
Quiz Bowl Event
October 10, 2024 – UPRP
Ponce, Puerto Rico
Because not everything at the university has to be exams and classes… the professors shared a unique event with the bootcamp students, Alpha members, and program students: the Quiz Bowl Event. It was a workshop aimed at demonstrating a variety of knowledge, answering questions, practicing teamwork, concentration, and even mental agility. Four teams worked in various categories. The students enjoyed it until the end! We congratulate all who participated, especially the yellow team.
Two-Dimensional Arrays Workshop
September 24, 2024 – UPRP
Ponce, Puerto Rico
As part of the coordinated activities to strengthen the programming skills acquired in the course COTI 3102, the workshop Sorting Two-Dimensional Arrays was offered. The workshop was led by the student mentor, Edmaris García Mercado, who was responsible for explaining the concept of two-dimensional arrays and the logic for sorting the elements of the array. The participants had the opportunity to perform practice exercises related to the topic and were able to clarify doubts.
Alumni Challenge
September 19, 2024 – UPRP
Ponce, Puerto Rico
As part of the project activities, the Alumni Challenge was held. The event featured a panel of three graduates from the Computerized Information Systems program (SICI) who accepted the challenge of answering questions about their experiences and learning at their alma mater. Each panelist had 5 minutes to answer the first question posed by the moderator, followed by another 5 minutes each for the second question. After this initial round, they answered questions from the students and faculty present. The questions covered a variety of topics, including programming languages, projects at their respective companies, the importance of networking, documentation, and applying the knowledge gained during their undergraduate studies, among others.
Throughout the event, the alumni shared challenges, advice, and reflections to benefit the current students in the program. They also provided valuable insights into current industry trends. We extend our gratitude to alumni Edwin G. Burgos Rodríguez, José A. Díaz Navarro, and Víctor M. Ayala Hernández for their valuable contributions to the first Alumni Challenge.
Coding Bootcamp Opening
August 20, 2024 – UPRP
Ponce, Puerto Rico
Coding Bootcamp Level 2 was officially introduced, offering a unique experience for participants, with the support of peer and faculty mentors. Today, we celebrated the start of this journey for Computerized Information Systems students at UPRP during the Coding Bootcamp Opening and Mentor Session.
During the activity, the main objectives of the project were outlined. The event also provided details on the activities that will be carried out as part of the project. Following this activity, the participants gained access to the bootcamp module. The peer mentors are available during their working hours to assist participants in their learning of programming topics using Java language.
Activities April-May 2024
Peer mentors training
April – May 2024 – UPRP
Ponce, Puerto Rico
Peer mentors were recruited during april 2024 for the NSF Coding Bootcamp Project. The student mentors participated in a variety of activities aimed at training them in topics related to their roles as mentors. The workshop resources were diverse, including both institutional and external experts.
Activities January-May 2025
Closing Activity
May 6, 2025 – UPRP
Ponce, Puerto Rico
After a semester full of activities, today we celebrate the end of the Level 1 Coding Bootcamp with a Closing Activity. Students rotated through a workstation where they shared their most meaningful experience in the bootcamp and how the project influenced their studies. Then, they completed the final project evaluation by scanning a QR code with their phones. Some gave remarks in front of their peers, while others recorded a short video about their experience.
Finally, the participants, mentors, and project staff received their certificates of recognition. We wish the participants success in their academic journey and hope they all achieve their professional goals.
Shadowing Challenge
April 24, 2025 – UPRP
Ponce, Puerto Rico
We had the Shadowing Challenge, an activity where the students shared their opinion about their shadowing experiences. This activity allowed the students to learn about their peers’ experiences. Since the students went in different groups, on different days, and to different companies, not all experiences were the same for everyone. The students were asked to describe how they felt during the activity using two adjectives. All the adjectives used to describe the experience were positive. In general, students showed satisfaction with the experience.
Company Tour
April 4, 2025 – UPRP
Juana Díaz, Puerto Rico
On Friday, April 4, 2025, we had the opportunity to take a Company Tour at CooperVision with students from the Coding Bootcamp, peer mentors, and staff. Each part of the visit showed us what it means to work in an innovative and collaborative environment. It was a day full of shared knowledge. Mr. Jesús Martínez and Mr. José Martínez left a lasting impression on the students by making this experience possible. We also want to thank the IT team for welcoming us, the management staff who made the visit possible, and everyone who took the time to share their experiences and inspire future IT professionals.
Shadowing Experiences
March 17-28, 2025 – UPRP
Ponce & Juana Díaz, Puerto Rico
A collaboration agreement made with several companies in Ponce and Juana Diaz allowed students to participate in Shadowing Experiences. This activity enabled students to visit IT departments to observe and learn directly from IT professionals, helping them better understand the practical applications of their knowledge and develop a clearer vision of their future careers.
The bootcamp participants and peer mentors had the opportunity to explore the IT field through real-world experiences. We appreciate each of the companies that accepted the collaboration for the students’ professional development, offering them an unforgettable experience.
Quiz Bowl Event
February 25, 2025 – UPRP
Ponce, Puerto Rico
On Tuesday, February 25th, the Quiz Bowl Event took place. During this activity, several interactive games were held among the four student teams. Each team answered the questions with the help of its members, who had to respond as quickly as possible. The game categories included general university trivia, questions about algorithms and program development, Marvel characters, tic-tac-toe, among others.
The students had the opportunity to get to know each other better and interact with their classmates, mentors, and teachers.
Alumni Challenge
February 11, 2025 – UPRP
Ponce, Puerto Rico
At the Alumni Challenge, we had a special gathering with five IT professionals, all graduates of the SICI UPRP program. They shared their experiences with current students from different roles and professional backgrounds. They provided valuable advice and reflected on the challenges they faced when starting their careers in the tech field, as well as how the skills and knowledge gained at the university helped them along the way. The panelists answered two main questions presented as part of the challenge, each with a five-minute response. Then, they answered questions from the audience. Each of the alumni’s comments and contributions reflected their commitment and genuine interest in helping students achieve their goals and successfully pursue a career in IT.
The event brought together students, project staff, program faculty, and the department director, creating a space for connection, learning, and inspiration for everyone. We appreciate the collaboration of the alumni and their enthusiasm throughout the conversation they had with the participants of the event. The alumni were: Rafael Díaz (Class of 2018), Richard Avilés (Class of 2018), Michael Soto (Class of 2020), Alice Romero (Class of 2020) and Jordan Báez (Class of 2020).
Mentor Session
January 21, 2025 – UPRP
Ponce, Puerto Rico
Mentor Session was the second activity of the bootcamp, held in the Laboratory 248 at UPR Ponce. On this occasion, the student mentors had the opportunity to introduce themselves to the bootcamp participants and share some details about their journey through the university. Then, the participants had a chance to introduce themselves to their peers and the student mentors. They were divided into groups according to the mentors assigned to each student and spent a few minutes getting to know each other. The activity provided the participants with an initial interaction with the project mentors.
Coding Bootcamp Opening
January 16, 2025 – UPRP
Ponce, Puerto Rico
Today, Coding Bootcamp Level 1 started with the Coding Bootcamp Opening. We celebrated the begining of the second edition of the bootcamp as a new experience for participants, mainly freshman from the Computer Sciences Department at UPRP. During the activity, the main objectives of the project were outlined by the Project Director with details on the activities that will be carried out as part of this bootcamp.
Project staff and the director of the external resources office were also present. Additionally, the Chancellor, Dr. Tessie Cruz Rivera, delivered a message to the attendees about the importance of the project in the professional development of the students.