Foundation
Python
Python gives students the foundation to write and understand real code.
Learn moreMeet the Professor
Professor
Núñez
Denis O. Núñez is a Professor of Computer Science, a Lecturer in Computer Engineering, a professional engineer, and a father of three. Through Programming Journeys, he helps students connect code, hardware, and real engineering concepts in ways they can understand and build. It is the same rigorous foundation he teaches at the college level, adapted for ages 8 to 14. Because he believes every child can grow into someone who builds technology, not just uses it.
Professor · Southwestern Community College
Lecturer · SDSU
Professional Engineer
Computer Organization & Architecture
Microprocessors
Software Development
Networking
Java
Python
RISC-V
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Meet the Instructor
Promo
Videos
A short introduction from Professor Núñez, in his own words, before camp begins.
In His Own Words
Two Types of Engineers
Professor Núñez introduces himself, his three children (Samuel, Simon, and Summer, the same kids in the camp promos throughout this site), and the message he brings to every classroom. There are two kinds of engineers: the ones who follow instructions and the ones who write them. After sixteen years of engineering and a decade of full-time teaching, he is helping the next generation become the second kind.
What the Right Education Can Do
From a Teenage Dream to Standing in Japan
Professor Núñez sends a message from Tokyo, reflecting on a childhood dream that began watching anime in the late 1990s. Looking back, he realized the dream became possible because the right education opened the door. His message to parents: every child has a dream of their own. This summer, give yours the opportunity to explore programming, networking, robotics, and AI, and find out which dreams the right education can turn into reality.
Background
Professor of Computer Science
& Lecturer in Computer Engineering
U.S. Navy Veteran
Built a strong technical and leadership foundation through active-duty service as an Electrician's Mate in the U.S. Navy.
BS (Summa Cum Laude)
Electrical Engineering
MS Systems Engineering
Combined Electrical Engineering and Systems Engineering training to understand both how systems are built and how they work together.
Professor & Engineer
Brings college teaching and real engineering experience together to help students connect code, hardware, and real-world systems.
What I Teach
Every Side of
Real Engineering
My teaching focuses on helping students understand how technology actually works, not just how to use it. Every Programming Journeys program is built around that idea, with each one introducing a different side of real engineering.
6 Weeks
PiCar
PiCar shows how software controls a real robot through sensors, movement, and decision-making.
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2 Weeks
Korra Jr.
Korra Jr. introduces AI through system design, software logic, and modern agent-based thinking.
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2 Weeks
Streaming
Streaming helps students understand networking, servers, and the infrastructure that delivers content across devices.
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2 Weeks
IoT & App Development
IoT connects hardware, sensors, software, and app-style interfaces into complete working systems.
Learn moreTogether, these programs help students see that software, hardware, AI, networking, and connected devices are not separate worlds. They are all part of the same engineering process.
Technical Experience
From Software to
Autonomous Systems
Joint Tactical Radio System
Worked on software-defined radio systems from 2009–2012, writing Python-based tools and supporting communications platforms built for complex engineering environments.
MQ-25 Stingray Program
Designed and developed network systems for unmanned aviation from 2012–2018, including LAN, VLAN, WAN, VPN, and beyond-line-of-sight communications.
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Autonomous Surface Vessels
Leads Test & Evaluation efforts for autonomous Navy systems since 2018, managing engineers, mentoring interns, and supporting real-world unmanned vessel operations.
From 2009 to the present, the work has ranged from software-defined radios to carrier-based networks to autonomous surface vessels.
That progression from software to networking to autonomy is the same systems-level thinking that shapes how students learn in Programming Journeys.