15 Best Robotics Summer Programs for High School Students
If you’re interested in building things, solving problems, and understanding how technology works, a robotics summer program can be a great opportunity in high school. These programs let you go beyond classroom learning and work on real engineering challenges through coding, design, and experimentation. You gain practical skills in programming, working with microcontrollers, using simulation tools, and applying concepts from physics, math, and computer science. Many programs also offer mentorship from professors, researchers, and industry professionals, along with lab visits, company tours, and networking opportunities.
What are the benefits of a robotics program?
A robotics program gives you the chance to actually build and test what you learn. Depending on the program, you might design and program robots, work with autonomous vehicles, apply Python and JavaScript, and use microcontroller platforms to create working systems. Some programs also involve research projects in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and robotics labs, where you work alongside faculty mentors and present your findings through posters, presentations, or symposiums.
To make things easier, we’ve narrowed down the list of the 15 best robotics summer programs for high school students.
If you’re looking for free robotics courses, check out our blog here.
1. Engineering Summer Program - University of Wisconsin
Location: Madison, WI
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 11 – 31
Application Deadline: March 2
Eligibility: Rising junior and senior high school students who have completed at least one year of algebra and geometry with a minimum 3.0 GPA
The Engineering Summer Program at the University of Wisconsin is a free, three-week residential program for high school students. You will learn through a core curriculum and explore math, engineering design, physics, and chemistry while living on-campus at UW-Madison. As a Badger Engineer, you'll experience hands-on workshops, receive mentorship from faculty, and explore industry visits and field trips to expand your professional network. You'll participate in intensive classes, enhance your problem-solving abilities, and join group study sessions. The program will allow you to attend faculty-led discussion sessions and interact with professional engineers at companies such as Spectrum Brands, Delve, Rockwell Automation, Alliant Energy, and GE Healthcare.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type; full financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter
Application Deadline: Rolling. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Eligibility: High school students. AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python
Veritas AI, founded and run by Harvard graduate students, offers programs for high school students who are passionate about artificial intelligence. If you are looking to get started with AI, ML, and data science, you would benefit from the AI Scholars program. Through this 10-session boot camp, you are introduced to the fundamentals of AI & data science and get a chance to work on real-world projects. Another option for more advanced students is the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase. Through this program, you get a chance to work 1:1 with mentors from top universities on a unique, individual project. A bonus of this program is that you have access to the in-house publication team to help you secure publications in high school research journals. You can also check out some examples of past projects here and read about a student’s experience in the program here.
3. Research Science Institute
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free; $75 non-refundable application fee
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Less than 2.5%
Dates: 6 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: Mid-December
Eligibility: High school juniors. More information here
Research Science Institute is a free, science- and engineering-focused summer program for high school students. You will have the opportunity to learn through a combination of scientific theory and technology research. The program will allow you to participate in a comprehensive research process, read the latest literature in your preferred field, and develop an elaborate research plan. You will attend one week of STEM classes led by experienced professors, followed by a five-week individual research project. You will receive mentorship from experienced scientists and researchers, and prepare oral and written presentations based on your research.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program- Robotics Track
Location: Remote , you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world
Cost: Varies depending on program type; full financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring. Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate a high level of academic achievement
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. The program offers extensive 1-on-1 research opportunities for high school students across a broad range of subject areas. The program pairs high school students with Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll have developed an independent research paper! You can choose research topics from subjects such as psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can find more details about the application here, and check out students’ reviews of the program here and here.
5. NYU’s ARISE Program
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free; $2,000 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 60 students
Dates: June 1 – August 14
Application Deadline: February 27
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors; Must be NYC residents attending school in NYC
NYU’s ARISE Program is a ten-week hands-on summer learning opportunity for high school students. The program will allow you to gain around 150 hours of valuable laboratory experience. You will have the opportunity to participate and contribute to the latest STEM research, including robotics and artificial intelligence, interact with industry professionals and scholars, and undergo safety training, along with attending college writing workshops. You will develop a range of skills in public speaking and research, and receive personalized support for your college applications. The program is funded by the Pinketer Foundation and allows you to share your research work at the Colloquium with the NYU community and at the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) Poster Symposium.
6. Simons Summer Research Program
Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free; stipend is provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 29 – August 7
Application Deadline: February 6
Eligibility: High school juniors; minimum age: 16 years; must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents
The Simons Summer Research Program offers high school students a hands-on research opportunity. You will be paired with a research mentor and work on a group project in science, math, or engineering. You will participate in workshops, attend faculty talks every week, and attend events and tours. The program will allow you to develop research techniques and experience university life at the Stony Brook Campus. The program will conclude with a research symposium where you will have the opportunity to share your work through a written research abstract and a poster.
7. Carnegie Mellon University AI Scholars
Location: Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
Cost/Stipend: Fully funded
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: June 20 – July 18
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: High school juniors; must be U.S. citizens with a minimum age of 16 years
Carnegie Mellon University AI Scholars is a four-week immersive program for high school students. You will engage in project-based learning along with attending college-level courses. The program will allow you to explore concepts in AI and computing, engage in hands-on group projects, learn from CMU staff, researchers, and faculty, and attend weekly college preparation seminars. The seminars will cover a range of topics, including admissions, social-emotional well-being, and financial aid. You will gain real-world learning experience through faculty lectures, mentorship, and networking opportunities with industry professionals.
8. Princeton AI4ALL
Location: Princeton University, Princeton, NJ
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: July 9 – 30 (tentative, based on previous years)
Application Deadline: April 9
Eligibility: Rising 11th-grade students; must be low-income and live in the US/Puerto Rico
Princeton AI4ALL offers a residential, in-person learning experience for high school students. Participants will explore artificial intelligence concepts, collaborate on group projects, and gain practical experience with AI models. The program emphasizes tackling real-world issues, engaging in problem-solving activities, and building a community with peers and professionals who share similar interests. Students will also benefit from expert mentorship, attend lectures, and learn about the socially responsible application of AI.
9. University of Maryland: Maryland Robotics Center (MRC) Pathways Internship Program
Location: University of Maryland, College Park, MD
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts. More information here
Application Deadline: 2 weeks before the beginning of each term
Eligibility: High school students
University of Maryland: Maryland Robotics Center (MRC) Pathways Internship Program offers a hands-on learning opportunity to high school students, graduates, and undergraduates. You will participate in robotics research, learn from experienced faculty at MRC, and engage in 10 hours of laboratory work every week. You will explore the latest research in robotics and visit renowned facilities. The organization aims to encourage advancements in robotics systems and the application of robotics technologies in research and educational programs.
10. MIT MITES Program
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Late June through Early August
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: High school juniors who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
MIT MITES Program offers a six-week, immersive on-campus learning experience for high school students. You will have the opportunity to join five impactful courses in math, science, and humanities. You will go on laboratory tours, attend social events, and receive counseling for your college admissions. The program allows you to learn advanced concepts in Science and Math while also exploring electives focusing on real-world applications of science, technology, engineering, and math. You will experience life as a student at MIT, connect with peers sharing similar interests, and gain knowledge about machine learning, genomics, architecture, and more.
11. MIT FutureMakers
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: July 1 – August 9
Application Deadline: Applications typically open in February or March
Eligibility: High school students in the U.S. and Puerto Rico
MIT FutureMakers is a no-cost six-week learning opportunity for high school students. You will engage in hands-on learning experiences and develop a range of technical and entrepreneurial skills. You will receive mentorship from AI experts and attend a webinar series covering topics such as interview and resume preparation, project management, teamwork, and multimedia communication skills. The program aims to make you a leader in the change brought by artificial intelligence. You will learn through a 4-week technical curriculum and a 2-week group capstone project.
12. Northeastern University’s Young Scholars Program
Location: Northeastern University, Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: Free; A stipend might be paid (not guaranteed)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 22 – July 30
Application Deadline: March 2
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors living and attending school in Massachusetts; Must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents
Northeastern University’s Young Scholars Program provides high school students with practical research experience. Participants will work in the laboratories of Northeastern’s Colleges of Engineering, Science, and Health Sciences. In the past, students have collaborated with expert faculty on topics such as agent-based modeling, active particles in flow, and battery chemistry optimization. The program also offers career exploration in fields like computer, mechanical, chemical, and civil engineering through seminars, education and career counseling, field trips, and college life experiences.
13. LLRISE (Lincoln Laboratory Radar Introduction for Student Engineers)
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, and MIT Lincoln Laboratory, Lexington, MA
Cost/Stipend: Free (no tuition; students cover their own travel to MIT)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive with a small, selective cohort
Dates: July 12 – July 25
Application Deadline: March 11
Eligibility: U.S. citizens who are completing their junior year of high school and have a strong interest in STEM
LLRISE is a two-week summer program where high school students explore engineering and applied physics through the design and construction of radar systems. Participants work closely with scientists and engineers to build Doppler and range radar devices, learning concepts such as electromagnetics, signal processing, and system design. The program emphasizes hands-on learning, with students assembling hardware, conducting experiments, and applying theoretical ideas to real engineering challenges. Students present their final projects at the end of the program, gaining experience in technical communication while developing a deeper understanding of how physics is applied in modern engineering systems.
14. GeneLab for High Schools (GL4HS) – NASA
Location: Virtual (asynchronous online program)
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Capacity-based, with up to ~1000 students accepted on a rolling basis until full
Dates: June 1–August 28
Application Deadline: February 15–March 15 (or until capacity is reached)
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents in grades 11–12 with at least one biology course and a minimum GPA of 3.0
GeneLab for High Schools (GL4HS) is a virtual program where students explore space biology through data-driven research methods used by NASA scientists. Participants learn how to analyze large biological datasets using bioinformatics and computational biology techniques, focusing on how living systems respond to spaceflight conditions. The program emphasizes data science skills, including working with omics data such as gene expression and protein interactions, while building experience in scientific analysis and interpretation. Students can also complete an optional capstone project in which teams analyze real datasets and present their findings in a formal research setting.
15. MIT Beaver Works Summer Institute (BWSI)
Location: MIT Campus, Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: $2,400 for students with family income $200,001 or more; free otherwise
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: February 2 – June 19 (Online Course) | July 6 – August 1/2 (Summer Program)
Application Deadline: March 30
Eligibility: 9th-11th grade students; Must be permanent U.S. residents or live in the country during the program
MIT Beaver Works Summer Institute (BWSI) is a four-week immersive program designed for high school students. You’ll engage in hands-on, project-based learning through workshop-style courses while gaining advanced skills in STEM fields. The program involves working on real-world projects and covers topics such as robotics, artificial intelligence, satellites, and more. Some of the in-person tracks offered by the program include Autonomous Air Vehicle Racing, Autonomous Cognitive Assistance (CogWorks), Autonomous RACECAR Grand Prix, and Autonomous Underwater Vehicles Challenge.