12 Robotics Summer Programs for High School Students in New York City (NYC)
If you’re a high school student interested in robotics, summer is a great time to build technical skills and explore the field. These programs allow you to design and test projects, learn from experienced mentors, and deepen your understanding of topics such as automation, artificial intelligence, and mechanical design. Participating in a summer program can also help you strengthen your academic profile and develop meaningful connections that can support your growth.
Why should you attend a program in New York City?
New York City has various universities, research labs, and tech organizations that offer robotics programs that are both rigorous and relevant. Across these programs, you might conduct research in university labs, program robotic systems, build autonomous vehicles, or explore how machine learning supports robotics design. Whether you’re local or visiting, these summer opportunities can help you explore robotics in a dynamic urban environment while preparing for future STEM studies.
To help you get started, we’ve identified 12 robotics summer programs for high school students in New York City.
If you are looking for free summer programs in NYC, check out our blog here.
1. NYU’s Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering (ARISE)
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost: None; $1,000 stipend provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 2 – August 8
Application deadline: February 21
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors who reside and attend school in New York
The ARISE program at NYU is a 10-week summer research opportunity for high school students in New York City who are interested in STEM fields such as engineering, computer science, and robotics. You’ll begin with a two-week online component that focuses on research methods, lab safety, ethics, and college preparation. You’ll then spend six weeks in an NYU research lab, working with graduate students and faculty mentors on ongoing projects and assisting with data collection, experiments, and analysis while learning about the research process. The program also includes communication workshops that help you present your work clearly and effectively.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type; Need-based financial aid is available for AI Scholars
Acceptance rate: Selective
Dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year, including summer
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students are eligible to apply. AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python.
Founded by Harvard graduate students, Veritas AI offers online programs tailored for high school students interested in artificial intelligence and machine learning. The AI Scholars program covers foundational topics across ten sessions and integrates conceptual learning with practical project work. For students seeking a more advanced experience, the AI Fellowship provides one-on-one mentorship from university researchers and culminates in an independent research project. You will also receive guidance on preparing your work for submission to high school research publications. Overall, these programs are designed to strengthen analytical and writing skills while helping you explore academic or career pathways in AI and computer science.
3. The Rockefeller University - Summer Science Research Program
Location: The Rockefeller University, New York, NY
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 32 students
Dates: June 22 – August 6
Application Deadline: January 2
Eligibility: Current high school juniors or seniors who are 16 years and older at the start of the program
The Summer Science Research Program (SSRP) is a team-based research experience for high school students. You will engage in mentored laboratory work aligned with your scientific interests, including robotics, and join research teams led by trainees from Rockefeller University, Memorial Sloan Kettering, and Weill Cornell Medicine. These teams operate like small research labs within the RockEDU teaching facilities, and elective classes, guest lectures, workshops, networking events, and community activities supplement the program. The program typically begins with an introduction to the research topic and core laboratory practices, followed by selecting an individual research question. You will then spend several weeks conducting experiments under the guidance of your mentors, followed by data analysis and poster preparation for the final symposium.
4. Lumiere Research Scholars Program - Robotics Track
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type; Need-based financial aid is available
Acceptance rate: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the cohort
Eligibility: High school students are eligible to apply
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program that offers numerous one-on-one research opportunities for high school students across a wide range of subjects. The program pairs you 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, artificial intelligence, engineering, data science, computer science, and more. You can find more details about the application here.
5. The City College of New York - STEM Institute
Location: The City College of New York, New York, NY
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate: Not specified
Dates: July 7 – August 7
Application Deadline: May 25
Eligibility: NYC Residents (Grades 6–12); math placement exam required
The STEM Institute at The City College of New York offers a summer program for high school students interested in science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics. The program emphasizes hands-on learning, real-world problem-solving, and collaboration, guided by experienced educators and practitioners. The Robotics section introduces you to foundational concepts in robotics, coding, and electronics. Through design tasks and practical investigations, you will learn how sensors, actuators, and basic control systems function within automated technologies. The broader program also provides opportunities for skill development, interaction with knowledgeable instructors, and exposure to college- and career-oriented preparation.
6. Kode With Klossy - Summer Camps
Location: New York, NY
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate: Selective
Dates: Session I: July 21 – August 1 | Session II: August 4 – 15
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines
Eligibility: Young women and gender expansive teens, aged 13-18 years
Kode With Klossy provides free two-week coding camps aimed at high school students from genders traditionally underrepresented in STEM. The program offers intensive, project-based learning designed to develop essential coding skills and foster sustained interest in technology. Participants choose from four specialized curricula. The Web Development track covers JavaScript, HTML, and CSS, focusing on responsive design, accessibility, and effective user interfaces and experiences. The Mobile App curriculum teaches Apple’s Swift language and SwiftUI framework, allowing students to create functional iOS apps with Xcode. The Machine Learning curriculum introduces key AI concepts like algorithms, datasets, and natural language processing, ending with the development of a Python-based chatbot. The Data Science track explores SQL, Python, and data visualization techniques, enabling students to analyze datasets and create visualizations on topics they are passionate about.
7. Stony Brook University - Artificial Intelligence & Self-Driving High School Summer Program
Location: Virtual or in-person at Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
Cost: $1,500
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 20 - 24 students
Dates: Session I: July 6 – 10 | Session II: July 20 – 24 | Virtual Session: TBA
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 9-12
This summer program offers hands-on laboratory experience with a patent-pending RC car platform developed through a U.S. Department of Energy SBIR–funded project. With a small class size and multiple teaching assistants, you will receive individualized guidance throughout the course. The curriculum introduces key concepts in machine learning and deep learning, along with the frameworks and methods used in these fields. You will also complete a showcase project suitable for inclusion in college or internship applications, and you will receive an official certificate upon completion. The program combines lectures on foundational principles with lab sessions that allow you to apply these concepts to real problems in a practical, hands-on setting.
8. New York University - Summer Program for Automation, Robotics, and Coding (SPARC)
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost: $3,300; Housing Fee: $638.00 ($319 per week)
Acceptance rate: Not specified
Dates: Session 1: June 17 – 28 | Session 2: July 8 – 19 | Session 3: July 29 – August 9
Application Deadline: To Be Announced
Eligibility: High school students aged 15 years and older who have successfully completed Algebra 2 (or equivalent) and have had some computer programming experience (in any language) are eligible to apply
SPARC is a two-week, full-day summer program that introduces core concepts in robotics, mechatronics, and programming. You will learn to operate microcontrollers, sensors, and actuators using your robotics kit components. You will construct and program basic robotic systems, gaining experience with fundamental programming structures like variables, conditionals, and loops. Additionally, you will be introduced to basic electrical and mechanical engineering concepts, such as circuit design and automation systems. The program concludes with structured robotics challenges that allow you to test your designs in real-world scenarios.
9. The Cooper Union - Summer STEM
Location: The Cooper Union, New York, NY
Cost: 6-week program: $3,950 | 3-week program: $1,950 | Need-based financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 18 – 24 students
Dates: Session 1: July 7 – 24 | Session 2: July 28 – August 14
Application Deadline: March 26; check here for updates.
Eligibility: Current high school students in grades 9 – 11
Summer STEM offers you the opportunity to explore engineering either for the first time or to enhance your skills through collaborative, project-based learning. The 3- and 6-week courses feature college-level content and activities similar to those undertaken by first- and second-year Cooper Union students, with some courses inspired by ongoing research by students and faculty. Each session ends with a final presentation, which you can invite guests to attend. Course options include Embedded Systems: C-ing Beyond Arduino, Design and Drawing for Engineering, Exploring NYC Through Data Visualization, 3D Design and Fabrication, Circular Design and Sustainability, Code and Canvas (interactive art using Arduino and TouchDesigner), and Computational Physics.
10. New York University - Machine Learning
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost: $3,180 tuition; $327 per week for housing.
Acceptance rate: Not specified
Dates: Session 1: June 15 – 27 | Session 2: July 6 – 17 | Session 3: July 20 – 31
Application Deadline: May 15
Eligibility: High school students currently enrolled in grades 9-11 who have successfully completed Algebra 2 (or equivalent) and have some computer programming experience (in any language)
NYU Tandon’s summer program in Machine Learning introduces high school students to computer science, mathematical methods, data analysis techniques, and the logical frameworks that underpin machine learning and artificial intelligence. The curriculum explores the foundations of technologies such as image and video recognition, voice-controlled systems, autonomous vehicles, real-time monitoring tools, traffic management systems, and advanced medical diagnostics. You will learn core machine learning concepts, including model development and validation, linear regression, and the basics of neural networks. The program emphasizes how mathematical reasoning and computational logic enable computers to learn and improve performance over time. Throughout the course, you will also develop engineering problem-solving skills and examine how machine learning approaches can be applied to address broader societal challenges.
11. Columbia University - Summer High School Academic Program for Engineers (SHAPE)
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY
Cost: Commuter: $5,880 | Residential: $10,705 | Need-based scholarships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 25 students per class.
Dates: July 6 - July 24 | July 27 – August 14
Application Deadline: Priority Deadline: December 22 | Final Deadline: March 2
Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, seniors, and recent high school graduates
Columbia Engineering’s SHAPE is a pre-college initiative for high school students with a strong interest in STEM. Each three-week session features project-based, college-level engineering courses conducted by Columbia University faculty. You choose one subject area for the entire session. The program also includes electives, workshops, college-prep activities, interactions with current Columbia students, and occasional industry visits. The Robotics and Autonomous Driving course introduces you to the foundations of robotics and emerging autonomous vehicle technologies through a combination of instruction and laboratory work. You will build a robotic car, program it to navigate obstacles and complete assigned tasks, and develop skills in 3D modeling in SOLIDWORKS, sensor systems, locomotion, and mechanical design. The course culminates in performance-based challenges that test each team’s self-driving robotic vehicle.
12. Stanford University - Stanford AI4ALL
Location: Virtual
Cost: $4,120; Need-based financial aid is available
Acceptance rate: Not specified
Dates: June 15 – 26
Application Deadline: February 6
Eligibility: 9th graders or rising 10th graders in the summer. Applicants must be over the age of 14 by the start of the program.
Stanford AI4ALL is a two-week online program that aims to increase diversity in artificial intelligence. It introduces AI through lectures, guided research, and mentorship, allowing participants to work with experts from the Stanford AI Lab. The curriculum covers advanced areas like robotics, computer vision, medical AI, and natural language processing, emphasizing AI's potential to tackle societal issues. You can gain practical research experience, participate in career development activities, and build connections within a supportive peer cohort. The program emphasizes hands-on learning, exposure to real-world AI applications, and mentorship from experienced practitioners.
Image source - Columbia University