Message from Summer Pre-College Robotics Director

Are you ready to dive into an exciting, hands-on robotic adventure where creativity meets cutting-edge technology? The Marist Summer Pre-College Robotics Program invites curious and motivated students to explore the world of robotics by doing, not just observing. In this immersive course, you’ll work side-by-side with fellow students to tackle real mechanical and programming challenges. You will brainstorm, design, build, and test solutions as a team. Using commercial robotics kits and modern programming environments, you’ll bring real robotic systems to life. Along the way, you’ll gain practical experience applying essential programming concepts such as chassis and structural design, sensor selection, actuator implementation, and the fundamentals of control theory. These aren’t abstract ideas! You will use them to solve real-world robotics problems through engaging, hands-on projects.

Programming is a major and exciting component of the course, but no prior experience is required. We start from the ground up, teaching simple, approachable programming techniques and will show you how to use code to make your robot think, sense, and move. Through a series of interactive labs and challenges, you’ll steadily build both your technical skills and your confidence, seeing your ideas turn into working robotic solutions. By the end of this program, you won’t just understand how robots work, you’ll have designed, programmed, and refined your own robotic systems, gained valuable teamwork experience, and discovered what it’s like to think and problem solve like a programmer. If you’re curious about robotics, programming, or just love technology and want an unforgettable summer experience, this program is for you. No prior programming experience is required!

About Professor Robert Cannistra

Professor Cannistra is a Distinguished Professional Lecturer in the School of Computer Science and Mathematics at Marist University where he combines extensive industry experience with a strong passion for teaching technology. With an academic background in computer science, Professor Cannistra brings a systems-level perspective to robotics, emphasizing the integration of hardware, software, networking, and secure intelligent control to this Robotics Program.

Throughout his career, he has worked extensively in designing and implementing complex technical systems, experience he now channels into teaching students how real-world technologies such as robotic systems are built, programmed, and optimized. His interests include robotics, automation, networking, and secure infrastructure. He is especially passionate about guiding students through practical, project-based learning that builds confidence, creativity, and problem-solving skills. Professor Cannistra is dedicated to inspiring the next generation of computer scientists, technologists, and innovators through immersive, hands-on robotics experiences.

View Professor Cannistra's faculty bio >