12 Robotics Summer Programs for High School Students in Florida

If you are a high school student in Florida interested in exploring the field of robotics, participating in a summer program can be an excellent starting point. Robotics summer programs for high school students in Florida provide opportunities to gain practical experience in the field, develop relevant skills, and learn from experts.

Florida offers various summer robotics programs, usually held at universities, colleges, and other reputable institutions. Joining these programs allows you to network with industry professionals who can serve as mentors, as well as connect with other students. These local programs allow you to avoid the cost of long-distance travel, making them accessible.

In this article, we highlight 12 robotics summer programs for high school students in Florida.

12 Robotics Summer Programs for High School Students in Florida

1. MSEIP – B-CU Summer Robotics Academy

Location: Bethune-Cookman University, Daytona Beach, FL
Cost/Stipend: None; $1,800 stipend
Dates: June 2 – June 20
Application Deadline: April 16
Eligibility: Rising pre-college students; High school seniors are preferred, but juniors are welcome

The MSEIP – B-CU Summer Robotics Academy is a three-week program at Bethune-Cookman University designed for rising high school juniors and seniors. Participants will get hands-on experience by designing, building, and programming their own robots from scratch. In addition to in-lab work, students will go on exciting field trips to observe robotics in action at sites like the NASA Kennedy Space Center and the Marine Discovery Center. Throughout the academy, you'll gain insights and learn directly from robotics and engineering research scientists.

2. Veritas AI – Robotics Track

Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by program; financial aid available 
Dates: Multiple cohorts in a year (dates vary by cohort)
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: High school students

Veritas AI, founded and run by Harvard graduates, offers programs for high school students interested in AI, data science, robotics, and so on. Based on the level of experience you have, you can participate in the AI Scholars program or the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase program. As a participant in AI Scholars, you will attend ten sessions that introduce the fundamentals of AI and data science, which will prove useful in the field of robotics. You’ll also get to participate in real-world projects. The AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase program, on the other hand, offers the chance to work on an individual project under the guidance of a mentor. You’ll also have access to the in-house publication team, who will help you publish your paper in high school research journals. 

3. NASA OSTEM Internship

Location: Virtual or various NASA centers across the country
Stipend: Paid and unpaid opportunities available
Dates: Fall: September – December | Spring: January – May | Summer: May/June – August
Application Deadline: Fall: May 16 | Spring: September 12 | Summer: February 27
Eligibility: U.S. high school students (16+) with a minimum GPA of 3.0 

NASA offers high school students the chance to work alongside research scientists, engineers, and other NASA professionals. As an intern, you will have the opportunity to actively participate in ongoing projects that support NASA’s goals of advancing science, technology, aeronautics, and space exploration. Some of the internship opportunities available to you include fields such as robotics, STEM, marketing, and business. You will also attend professional development workshops focused on scientific writing, technical presentations, and teamwork skills.

4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program

Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by program; Financial aid offered
Dates: Multiple cohorts in a year
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: High school students with an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4

The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a comprehensive research opportunity offering personalized, one-on-one research experiences for high school students across a diverse range of subject areas. During the program, you will be paired with Ph.D. mentors to collaborate on independent research projects, and once it’s over, you will have created a standalone research paper. Topics available include psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. 

5. Florida Atlantic University (FAU): Ocean Engineering: Summer Workshop

Location: Florida Atlantic University's SeaTech Campus, Dania Beach, FL
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: June 9 – 12
Application Deadline: Rolling until full
Eligibility: High school students between the ages of 14-17

FAU’s Ocean Engineering Summer Workshop provides high school students with the opportunity to participate in ongoing research projects at the SeaTech Ocean Engineering Research Facility. As a participant, you will engage with underwater robotics and sustainable ocean technologies through hands-on activities. You will also acquire insights into fluid mechanics and how it applies to real-world situations. Led by FAU faculty, these projects are designed to give a practical understanding of ocean engineering concepts.

6. IHMC Robotics Camp

Location: IHMC Pensacola or IHMC Ocala, FL
Cost: $225; Financial aid available
Dates: June 23 – 26 | July 7 – 10
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Rising 9th-10th graders

IHMC’s Robotics camp is meant for students interested in computer programming and robotics engineering. The camp features LEGO Mindstorms challenges that foster teamwork, problem-solving skills, confidence in robotics, and creativity. You will also explore current IHMC research and have the opportunity to engage with IHMC scientists and Lockheed Martin engineers during lunch at camp. If you're at the IHMC Pensacola camp, you'll get a tour of the robotics laboratory.

7. TallyRobotics Summer Camp: Tech Challenge

Location: FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, Tallahassee, FL
Cost: $250
Dates: Multiple 1-week sessions in the summer
Application Deadline: Rolling until full
Eligibility: Rising 7th-12th graders

During the TallyRobotics’ Tech Challenge Summer Camp, you will work on building a basic FIRST Tech Challenge robot. This experience will enhance your coding skills and introduce Java programming alongside block-based coding. You'll learn the basics of robotics design and gain practical experience working with FTC robots. There will also be a field trip to the College of Engineering, featuring guest speakers who will discuss careers in STEM fields. The program will end with a presentation of your robot. 

8. RoboQUEST at The Barrett School

Location: The Barrett School, Destin, FL
Cost: $350/week (standard day); $400/week (extended day)
Dates: June 2 – July 18
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students between the ages of 8-15

The Barrett School’s RoboQUEST is a summer program for students looking to gain hands-on experience in STEM. As a participant, you'll join workshops on robotics, block coding, video game design, engineering, and more. You'll have the chance to build your own robots and tackle real-world problems. The program also offers opportunities to collaborate with peers and learn from industry experts.

9. University of Central Florida (UCF): Camp Connect

Location: University of Central Florida (UCF) Main Campus, Orlando, FL
Cost: $200 (Camp Connect I & II); $300 (Camp Connect Advanced); $75 non-refundable deposit
Dates: June 23 – 27 (Camp Connect I) | July 7 – 11 (Camp Connect II) | June 9 – 13 (Camp Connect Advanced)
Application Deadline: May 9 (Camp Connect I) | April 25 (Camp Connect II) | April 4 (Camp Connect Advanced early deadline) + April 25 (Camp Connect Advanced deadline)
Eligibility: Rising 8th-11th graders at least 13 years old (Camp Connect I & II); Rising 10th-12th graders at least 15 years old (Camp Connect Advanced) 

UCF’s Camp Connect is a week-long program that will introduce you to various aspects of engineering, including electrical, computer, mechanical, aerospace, and more. You will get to participate in activities, attend informative presentations, and go on lab tours. Camp Connect offers three programs you can participate in: Camp Connect I, Camp Connect II, and Camp Connect Advanced. During Camp Connect I, you will explore engineering and have the opportunity to work on a team project, which will be presented after the camp. To participate in Camp Connect II, you will be extended an invitation to return and will engage in a more in-depth, hands-on exploration of engineering. Camp Connect Advanced offers an in-depth, team-based STEM experience. You will have the opportunity to collaborate with a faculty member on a discipline-specific research project, which may include aspects of robotics.

10. Florida Tech STEM Summer Academy

Location: Florida Institute of Technology, Melbourne, FL
Cost: $1,500 (commuters); $2,000 (residential)
Dates: June 16 – 20
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Rising 9th-12th graders

During the Florida Tech STEM Summer Academy, you will engage with topics such as AI and AI tools, Engineering Design and 3D printing, and more. Although not solely a robotics program, it offers the chance to strengthen your STEM skills and build a foundation in robotics. You will also have access to advanced laboratory equipment and innovative technologies, and will get to work with Florida Tech faculty and industry professionals. Through hands-on, collaborative projects, you can gain valuable insights into careers within the STEM fields.

11. USF High School Robotics Camp

Location: University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
Cost: $999.99
Dates: June 23 – 27 (session 1) | July 14 – 18 (session 2)
Application Deadline: Rolling till full; Registration opens on February 1
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9-12

The USF High School Robotics Camp introduces students to robotics by allowing them to design, program, and build their own Autonomous Mobile Robot (AMR). Participants will also explore tools such as Raspberry Pi and 3D printing, while learning fundamental robotics concepts, electrical circuit design, and Python programming. During camp, you’ll also learn about sensors and actuators and how they enable your robot to respond to its environment. Aside from hands-on work and learning, you’ll get to explore industrial robotics and gain real-world experience from ABB RobotStudio.

12. RAS – Robotics & Autonomous Systems

Location: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, FL
Cost: $1,000 + non-refundable $30 registration fee (tentative); Scholarships may be available
Dates: July 20 – 25 (tentative)
Application Deadline: April 3 (tentative)
Eligibility: High school students aged 15-18; Open to international students 

During this program, you will have the opportunity to deepen your understanding of the field of robotics and autonomous systems, as well as potential career pathways. As a participant, you will explore topics such as mechanical, electrical, and computer engineering. You will also have the opportunity to engage in building, designing, and programming autonomous robots. Additionally, you will be able to collaborate with Embry-Riddle faculty members and collegiate robotics competition teams.