12 Robotics Programs for High School Students in New Jersey
As a high school student, robotics programs offer a practical way to develop technical skills, gain real-world industry exposure, and build professional connections. You will work directly with tools, code, and hardware on projects that mirror actual engineering challenges, from designing autonomous systems to integrating sensors and actuators. Various organizations and universities run these initiatives, offering structured pathways into STEM fields that go beyond classroom theory. These programs emphasize collaboration, project-based learning, and practical applications that prepare you for college and careers in robotics and related fields.
Why should you attend a program in New Jersey?
New Jersey hosts universities and organizations that deliver robotics programs for high school students with access to advanced labs, faculty expertise, and industry partnerships. You can explore projects such as building assistive robotic hands, programming VEX robots for competition, or researching brain-computer interfaces. Local students benefit from convenient on-campus or regional access, while out-of-state students can join virtual cohorts or short-term residential options that still connect them to New Jersey’s strong tech and engineering ecosystem.
We’ve narrowed down the list to the 12 robotics programs for high school students in New Jersey.
If you’re looking for online summer programs, check out our blog here.
1. Governor’s School of Engineering & Technology (GSET) at Rutgers University
Location: Rutgers University School of Engineering, New Brunswick/Piscataway, NJ
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; limited cohort of top New Jersey students (fewer than 100 students)
Dates: 4 weeks, July 6 – 31
Application deadline: January 8
Eligibility: New Jersey resident high school juniors; strong interest in engineering/ technology; primarily A grades in honors math and science
In this intensive residential summer program, you will collaborate in teams of four on a core robotics course, building and programming robots using LEGO Mindstorms kits and advanced sensors, including color cameras. You can tackle hands-on design challenges and competitions, such as navigating mazes with vision recognition and artificial intelligence techniques or playing “Robot Soccer.” Alongside coursework, you also complete a small-group research and design project under the guidance of academic or industry mentors, culminating in a conference-style paper and presentation at the Governor’s School Research Symposium. The program also features site visits to local corporations and guest speakers from engineering fields, offering direct insight into career pathways. Emphasizing open-ended problem-solving, teamwork, and entrepreneurship, the experience is delivered in a collaborative, grade-free environment without official credit.
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). You can apply to the program here.
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 is a virtual program founded and run by Harvard graduate students, designed for high school students interested in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data science. In the AI Scholars track, you can learn core AI concepts through a 10-session boot camp while collaborating in small groups to build real-world projects using Python. For more advanced students, the AI Fellowship offers a 15-week research experience where you work one-on-one with PhD mentors from institutions such as Yale, Stanford, and Oxford to develop an independent AI project in a field of your choice. Across both tracks, you will gain hands-on experience applying AI to practical problems, build a portfolio of projects, and receive personalized mentorship, with opportunities for publication and need-based financial aid.
3. iSTEM Automation and Robotics Camp at The College of New Jersey (TCNJ)
Location: The College of New Jersey (TCNJ), Ewing, NJ
Cost: $625 per student per week (lunch included)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment with limited spots per session
Dates: July 13 – 17
Application deadline: Rolling (register via online form)
Eligibility: Rising 8th–12th graders
In this program, you will gain hands-on experience programming microcontroller devices to control robots and complete specific tasks. You can learn to design automated circuits, build real-world prototypes using rapid prototyping technologies, and use the MathWorks Simulink environment to develop control systems. Through project-based learning, you’re able to connect engineering theory to physical outcomes while building practical skills in automation and embedded systems. The day-camp format combines technical instruction with immediate application, helping you build confidence through continuous hands-on work. You also collaborate with peers on final projects that demonstrate real-world automation solutions, using tools and approaches aligned with professional engineering practice.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program - Robotics Track
Location: Virtual
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: Varies by 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 12-week virtual research experience designed for high school students interested in fields such as robotics, computer science, and engineering. In this program, you will work one-on-one with a PhD mentor to develop an independent research project, selecting a topic, formulating a research question, designing methodology, and collecting and analyzing data. Weekly mentorship sessions help you build skills in academic writing, critical analysis, and research ethics while exploring areas such as robot design, autonomous systems, or AI integration in robotics. The program culminates in a full research paper and presentation, providing a strong portfolio piece that can be used for college applications, competitions, or potential publication.
5. High School Robotics at NJIT Saturday Morning STEM (SMS)
Location: NJIT campus, Newark, NJ
Cost: $399 per student (includes all academic materials)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Limited spots per session
Dates: Saturdays, March 28 - May 2 (no class April 4)
Application deadline: March 12
Eligibility: High school students
In this program, you can explore assistive robotics and brain-computer interface (BCI) technology using the NeuroMaker system. You’ll begin with foundational concepts in assistive technology before moving into hands-on workshops, where you build a robotic hand and experiment with BCI headbands. Delivered over five Saturdays, the program emphasizes practical skills in robotics hardware and brain-interface applications through interactive sessions that connect theory to real-world assistive devices. You can develop both technical and conceptual understanding while gaining exposure to college-level content in a flexible format that fits alongside your school schedule. The program concludes with final project presentations that highlight the social impact of assistive robotics.
6. Storming Robots - Advanced Robotics and Computer Science Programs
Location: Storming Robots, Branchburg, NJ
Cost: Varies by program
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective for advanced tracks
Dates: Summer sessions (exact weeks vary)
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Grades 9–12 with strong STEM interest
In this program, you may engage in college-level robotics and computer science projects that go beyond basic kits to develop deeper analytical and algorithmic thinking. You will work on advanced robot design, sensor integration, and computational challenges, with a strong focus on robotics algorithms, software development, and computer vision. Through open-ended, competition-driven projects inspired by platforms such as RoboCupJunior, you can design autonomous systems and strategy-based solutions rather than relying on pre-built code. Guided by experienced instructors, you’ll collaborate with peers to solve complex engineering problems while building skills in system design and computational reasoning.
7. Stevens Institute of Technology ECOES Pre-College Program - Robots, Humans and AI: From Past Visions to Future Stories
Location: Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, NJ
Cost: $4,950
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Limited slots
Dates: July 19 – 31
Application deadline: June 1
Eligibility: High school students interested in engineering
In this two-week residential program, you’ll explore robotics alongside broader engineering disciplines through hands-on labs and interdisciplinary projects. You can build and test robotic systems while working on real-world challenges in areas such as mechanical and biomedical engineering, under the guidance of Stevens faculty and current students. A key component of the experience is the “Robots, Humans, and AI” course, where you’ll examine the evolution of robots and cyborgs from early historical concepts to modern AI and transhumanism while exploring ethical and philosophical questions about the relationship between humans and intelligent machines. The program also includes campus tours, career panels, and college-prep activities, offering both technical experience and deeper insights into the future of engineering and AI.
8. STEAM Clubhouse Robotics Summer Camp
Location: STEAM Clubhouse, Delran, NJ
Cost/Stipend: Varies by week
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment
Dates: 3-5 days, multiple summer weeks
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students
In this program, you’ll focus on VEX IQ robotics while developing skills in 3D printing and CAD, building and testing robots to solve real-world challenges. Through hands-on, project-based work, you can program, iterate, and refine your designs while exploring key concepts in electronics, mechanics, and coding. You also take part in VEX IQ challenges that strengthen problem-solving and teamwork in a competitive setting. The camp uses a structured, step-by-step learning approach in a supportive small group environment, making it suitable for both beginners and students with prior experience.
9. Robot Revolution High School VRC Summer Camps
Location: Robot Revolution, Summit, NJ
Cost: Varies by session length
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Limited per session
Dates: Multiple 1-week sessions throughout the summer
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students
You will prepare for the VEX Robotics Competition through one-week or multi-week sessions focused on building, programming, and testing full robots for the upcoming season. You can develop skills in advanced construction, mechanical advantage, wiring, and power management while learning C++ programming, including syntax, control structures, and autonomous robot control. New students build a fully functional robot from the ground up, while returning students refine designs and strategies for competition. The program emphasizes both individual work and team collaboration in a lab setting with experienced coaches, helping you develop practical engineering and problem-solving skills. By the end, you can gain hands-on experience creating a competition-ready robot and applying industry-standard coding practices.
10. Buddy’s Future Force High School STEM Camp (with Robotics Focus)
Location: Egg Harbor Township, NJ
Cost: $710 per week (scholarships available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 6 – August 21
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students
Buddy’s Future Force Discovery Center offers high school students a STEM enrichment camp that combines multiple robotics pathways with broader engineering exploration. You will join FIRST Tech Challenge teams, build SeaPerch underwater robots, or work on VEX and combat robotics projects, while also exploring areas such as 3D printing, drone building, and robotics reverse engineering. Through rotating, hands-on modules, you can tackle real-world design challenges that develop skills in engineering, programming, and system design. The program emphasizes teamwork, leadership, and problem-solving through competitive projects and prototype development, while also introducing college and career pathways in STEM and skilled trades.
11. KABHOOM Robotics Elite Program
Location: KABHOOM Robotics, Edison, NJ
Cost: Varies by program
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Weekly in-person sessions (1-hour Learning Series or 2-hour Travel Team sessions), year-round and seasonal
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students
KABHOOM Robotics offers an Elite track focused on drone robotics and coding, where you’ll learn how computers communicate with autonomous aerial systems through hands-on projects. You can explore drone design, flight principles, and programming while developing skills in technical documentation, communication, and systems thinking. The program combines interdisciplinary engineering challenges with training in robotics fundamentals, using programming languages such as Python and Java to build a strong coding foundation. Weekly in-person sessions emphasize creativity, teamwork, and critical thinking, with opportunities to join competitive travel teams and prepare for the annual robotics season. Through this experience, you can gain practical exposure to robotics, AI concepts, and real-world applications in the growing drone and aerospace field.
12. VEX Robotics Summer Camp at Robotech Educational Services
Location: Robotech Educational Services Inc., Marlton, NJ
Cost: $439.95
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Limited to 10 campers
Dates: July 13 – 17 | July 20 – 24 | July 27 – 31
Application deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Motivated 9th-grade students
This week-long, in-person summer camp gives you hands-on experience in building, modifying, and programming robots using the VEX IQ platform. You will work on an official VEX competition field while developing skills in robot construction, coding, strategy, and competition-style problem-solving. The full-day format, typically running from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, combines structured instruction with iterative design, troubleshooting, and teamwork. With sessions limited to just 10 campers, the program offers a supportive, small-group environment with personalized guidance. This experience is designed to prepare you for high school robotics competition teams.