How early coding projects helped Adam Niemczura pursue a double major in Computer Science and Mathematics at Clemson University.
Meet Adam Niemczura, a former CodeHS student from Boiling Springs High School in South Carolina. He is now a sophomore at Clemson University and is pursuing a double major in Computer Science and Mathematics. His story is a testament to how early exposure to coding and a passion for problem-solving can pave the way for success in tech.
Adam’s fascination with computer science began at an early age. Growing up, he was in love with the imaginative world of science fiction, particularly shows like Star Wars: The Clone Wars. His first exposure to coding was around the age of 12 through CodeHS and other platforms. These early experiences fueled his drive to explore programming and problem-solving.
At Adam’s High School, computer science education was just gaining traction. Despite limited course offerings, Adam’s enthusiasm led him to excel in his available classes. One standout experience was an introductory networking class at a local career center.The class was very hands-on and peaked his interest in technology and engineering, even though it wasn’t coding-focused. He said,
“It was fascinating learning the theory behind how the internet works and applying those concepts to solve real networking problems”
Now at Clemson University, Adam has immersed himself in a robust computer science curriculum. His favorite course so far is CPSC 2150: Software Development Foundations.
“This class was a perfect mix of theory and practice…We learned best practices in software development like design by contract, test-driven development, and modular programming. A semester-long project building a Connect4 game in Java brought everything together.”
Guided by engaging professors and collaborative projects, Adam continues to hone his skills and deepen his understanding of software engineering principles.
Snapshot of one of the contracts his team wrote for CPSC 2150
Example of a test for the project
CodeHS Projects That Stand Out
Even to this day, Adam’s creativity shines through his projects on CodeHS. Some of his favorite projects created on CodeHS are:
A top-down Legend of Zelda-inspired game spanning over 8,000 lines of code!
Two platformer games that introduced advanced features like particle effects and a camera system.
In high school, these projects not only solidified his understanding of core programming concepts but also motivated him to pursue a computer science degree. Adam credits CodeHS’s accessible and robust sandbox feature for enabling him to experiment and grow.
Adam even shared with us the first game he ever made on CodeHS which gave him a ton of insight on how 2D games work and how to create them.
First game he ever made
Adam’s largest game he made with over 8000 lines of code inspired by Zelda
Beyond CodeHS
Adam’s journey extends beyond high school and into groundbreaking work in college. Highlights include:
App Development: Creating a SwiftUI MacOS app to automate monthly wallpaper changes.
Research Contributions: Co-authoring a journal paper on machine learning for off-road autonomous perception systems.
Web Development: Building a Django web app to host statistical regression models for a research lab.
Poster presentation presented at the Clemson Summer Creative Inquiry Forum that Adam worked on
Advice for Aspiring Coders
Adam believes game development is an excellent way for beginners to dive into coding.
“Game development is rewarding because you can see your progress come to life… It’s also a fun way to learn programming concepts like variables, functions, and collision handling.”
He encourages students to explore different programming languages and maintain consistent learning habits to stay motivated and focused.
As Adam continues his studies, he’s excited about the endless opportunities computer science offers.
“My journey feels like it’s only just beginning,” he shares. With a foundation built on curiosity, hard work, and support from platforms like CodeHS, Adam is setting himself up to make a meaningful impact in the tech world.
