10 Robotics Programs for High School Students in Illinois
If you are a high schools student interested in robotics, a structured program can be a great option for you to explore your interests. Robotics programs give you the chance to explore engineering, coding, and AI through projects and real-world problem-solving. Some programs focus on design and prototyping, while others introduce you to robotics competitions or lab-based research. You also have the opportunity to learn beyond the classroom from experts in the field and meet like-minded peers, helping you build a network.
In Illinois, many programs are hosted by top universities, research centers, and innovation hubs across the state. You'll work with industry-grade tools, connect with mentors, and gain technical experience that can strengthen your college applications and career plans. Whether you’re interested in building autonomous systems, working with sensors, or programming collaborative robots, these opportunities let you apply your STEM knowledge in meaningful ways.
To help you get started, we’ve compiled a list of 10 robotics programs for high school students in Illinois.
1. SHARP
Location: University of Illinois Chicago Medical Campus, Chicago, IL
Cost: $3,500 (includes workshops, materials, and didactics; need-based scholarships available)
Dates: June 15 – July 24 (summer session; year-long continuation through March)
Eligibility: Must be at least 16 years old by program start; able to attend all activities
Application deadline: February 2 (applications open December 1)
The SHARP Program introduces high school students to the intersection of medicine, robotics, and engineering through an immersive 10-month research experience. Hosted by the Departments of Biomedical Engineering and Surgery at the University of Illinois Chicago, the program combines a summer research lab with ongoing mentorship and community engagement throughout the school year. Students engage with surgical innovations, AI applications, and practical research techniques, concluding with a presentation at the SHARP Symposium.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Online
Cost: Varies by program (financial aid available)
Dates: Multiple cohorts offered year-round (spring, summer, fall, winter)
Eligibility: High school students (Grades 9-12) with an interest in AI, coding, or robotics; no prior experience required
Application deadline: Rolling admissions; early application recommended for preferred cohort. You can apply here.
Veritas AI, founded and run by Harvard graduate students, offers programs for high school students who are passionate about artificial intelligence. Students who are looking to get started with AI, ML, and data science would benefit from the AI Scholars program. Through this 10-session boot camp, students 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, students get a chance to work 1:1 with mentors from top universities on a unique, individual project. A bonus of this program is that students have access to the in-house publication team to help them secure publications in high school research journals. You can also check out some examples of past projects here.
3. University of Illinois Chicago – Engineering Summer Camp
Location: University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL
Cost: $500 per week (includes lunch, project materials, and t-shirt)
Dates: July 21 – 25
Eligibility: Rising 4th-12th graders (grouped by level; high school students receive advanced challenges)
Application deadline: Not specified
The University of Illinois Chicago’s Engineering Summer Camp gives students an introduction to the many branches of engineering that shape the modern world. Every day is dedicated to a distinct engineering field, including Chemical, Mechanical, Software, Robotics, and Environmental Sustainability. This approach enables students to discover the connections between engineering and its applications in real-world problems and daily life. Guided by UIC faculty and graduate mentors, students work in small teams to design robots, code simple games, test materials, and even propose urban planning solutions. The camp blends creativity, critical thinking, and teamwork in an immersive university setting.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Online
Cost: Varies depending on program type; financial aid is available
Dates: Cohorts run throughout the year
Eligibility: High school students who demonstrate a high level of academic achievement
Application deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)
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 that you can explore as a high schooler. It 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 robotics, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, and more. You can find more details about the application here.
5. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign – 4-H Robotics
Location: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL
Cost: Not publicly listed. 4-H is a community/club-based program; any fees likely depend on the local 4-H club or county office
Dates: Typically runs September 1 – August 31, with project work spanning throughout the year
Eligibility: Ages 8 – 18
Application deadline: Varies by club
Run through the university’s 4-H program, this robotics track offers students a chance to design, build, and code robots across progressive skill levels. In this immersive program, students explore how mechanical systems, sensors, and coding come together to solve real-world problems — from simple movement and friction at the beginner stage to engineering full design challenges at the advanced level. Beyond building robots, the program encourages self-paced learning, goal setting, and creative problem-solving. Students can also showcase their creations at competitions, lead workshops, or take on community service projects like developing robots for environmental cleanup or education.
6. Illinois Mathematics & Science Society
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,280 (scholarships available)
Dates: September 15 – May 28
Eligibility: High school students (grades 9-12) with a research mentor and access to a lab if needed
Application deadline: Varies each year
Research, Inquiry Skills & Experimentation (RISE) is a year-long, rigorous online research program by IMSA for high school students in grades 9-12. Students design and conduct independent scientific research projects with guidance from mentors and IMSA instructors. Projects can span diverse STEM fields, including areas like computational biology, advanced mathematics, or the engineering and robotics fields, where students may develop and test novel algorithms or mechanical designs. The program develops skills in research, writing, and presenting findings, culminating in presentations at spring symposia. While the majority of the work is asynchronous, students must commit to weekly Zoom office hours and meet firm deadlines for assignments and their final research paper.
7. Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes - Introduction to Machine Learning
Location: Virtual
Cost: $3,080 tuition and $65 application fee. Need-based financial aid and fee waiver are available
Dates: Session One: June 16 – 27 | Session Two: July 7 – 18
Eligibility: Students in grades 10-11 at the time of application; prior exposure to programming and working knowledge of statistics required
Application deadline: March 20
This two-week online program introduces high school students to machine learning, guiding them through the complete workflow. Participants will learn how computers analyze data to make predictions and solve real-world problems. The curriculum covers data preprocessing and visualization, model training and tuning, and performance evaluation. Using Python, students will experiment with structured datasets, implement algorithms, and critically analyze results to select the best model for a final project.
8. Illinois Tech Summer Program
Location: Illinois Institute of Technology, Mies Campus (Chicago) and Rice Campus; online options available
Cost: $300 – $3,000 depending on program length and format; $100 application fee applies (goes toward program cost)
Dates: 1,2,4 week sessions (varies by program)
Eligibility: Rising 6th-12th graders (ages 11-17); must be 15+ for overnight campus stay
Application deadline: Rolling admissions
Illinois Tech’s Elevate College Prep offers middle and high school students opportunities to explore STEM topics, including robotics, coding, sustainability, and scientific research. Students have the option to participate in residential, commuter, or online programs, where they will engage in structured projects designed to develop technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and collaborative teamwork. Every program offers a hands-on introduction to STEM applications and an opportunity to experience a university setting, complete with access to labs, workshops, and instructor-led sessions.
9. MIT Beaver Works Summer Institute (BWSI)
Location: Virtual (with some in-person components for selected students at MIT, Cambridge, MA)
Cost: $2,350 for families with income ≥ $150,000; free for qualifying families
Dates: Begins with a self-paced online course in the spring, followed by a 4-week summer program in July – August for selected participants
Eligibility: Students residing in the U.S., attending high school in the U.S., currently in grades 9-11; seniors and college students are not eligible
Application deadline: March 31
The MIT Beaver Works Summer Institute (BWSI) is a rigorous four-week STEM program designed for high-achieving high school students. The program starts with a self-paced online course in the spring, and high-performing students from the course are then selected for the intensive summer component. During the summer, students participate in hands-on, project-based courses on cutting-edge topics such as AI, autonomous air and ground vehicles, and radar systems. Beyond the summer, BWSI also offers various year-round online courses and team-based national challenges, providing students with multiple ways to engage with advanced STEM topics.
10. Harvard CS50: Introduction to Artificial Intelligence with Python
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free to audit; $299 for verified certificate
Dates: Self-paced
Eligibility: Open to all learners, including high school students
Application deadline: Rolling enrollment
This online program by Harvard is a deep dive into the principles and applications of artificial intelligence through Python. Students explore foundational AI concepts such as graph search algorithms, classification, optimization, and reinforcement learning. Beyond theory, students build Python programs that implement machine learning techniques and design intelligent systems. By the end, learners gain both an understanding of AI frameworks and hands-on experience applying them to real-world scenarios, from handwriting recognition to recommendation engines.
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