Despite many students struggling with adjusting to classes in the pandemic, 12-year-old Mike Wimmer from North Carolina will be graduating with both a high school diploma and college degree this month.
Wimmer spent his lockdown taking classes online and discovered that if he added a few extra classes, he would graduate from both schools at the same time. Due to his accelerated schedule, he finished two years of high school and two years of community college in just one year.
He will also be graduating as high school class valedictorian, with a 5.45 GPA from high school and a 4.0 GPA from college.
“I went through all of the grades in school at a faster pace. I’m like a sponge, I take in knowledge very fast,” he explained to WCNC.
Robotics and Computer Programming
Wimmer has expressed interest in pursuing a career in robotics and computer programming. He is self-taught and learned about computer programming through “trial and error and online videos and everything.”
No better way to introduce my newest venture, HORIZON OS, than at my high school science fair! I am excited for the future and the tremendous potential this OS has in changing the lives of so many. Finding my way to change the world! #STEM #sciencefair #changetheworld. pic.twitter.com/dLdR4NTiVm
— Mike Wimmer (@Mike_aighost) December 6, 2019
He also told WCNC that as early as 18 months old, he was already interested in technology and its inner workings.
“At 18 months old with my first iPad I started to wonder ‘Well, how does it work?’” he explained.
He has previously been featured as an 11-year-old robotics prodigy in an interview with DATAcated, and has made waves in the tech community for his prowess.
Another highlight of this week was meeting this smarty pants. Mike Wimmer is a 10 y/o prodigy and was invited by @USSOCOM to attend a Rapid Prototyping Event as an active participant and contributor. Proud to know you, @MikeWimmer9. Keep changing the world! pic.twitter.com/8N3IFJogKr
— Chad Green (@greenchadable) July 12, 2019
Real-Life Sheldon Cooper?
Beyond education, he has also founded two tech startups: Next Era Innovations and Reflect Social.
Despite his accelerated learning, Wimmer still has time to dabble in outside interests. He enjoys playing video games, building Lego sets, baseball, and basketball.
“A lot of people think I’ve given up my childhood or somehow lost it, and I say to them that I’m having the time of my life,” Wimmer told Big News Network.