9 Online Robotics Internships for High School Students
As robotics continues to influence industries, high school students interested in the field have the chance to explore robotics and engineering through internships and summer programs. Virtual robotics opportunities allow you to learn the fundamentals of designing and building machines from home. These programs often combine foundational learning with hands-on projects, helping you apply engineering principles to real-world scenarios. You will gain access to expert mentorship and develop skills needed to succeed in robotics and STEM. Here are 12 online programs to help you take your first steps toward a career in engineering.
Location: Virtual
Eligibility: Open to all high school students who can work for 10–20 hours per week, for 8–12 weeks. The internships are also open to undergraduates and gap-year students!
Cost: Starting at $1,990. Financial assistance is available.
Application Deadline: Multiple deadlines throughout the year however the winter cohort deadline is Nov 24, 2024
Program Dates: 8-week programs with multiple cohorts throughout the year. The winter cohort runs in December 2024
Ladder Internships, founded by Harvard alumni, offers high school students virtual internships with startups, development organizations, and non-profits globally. You can choose internships in robotics, machine learning, and engineering, gaining hands-on experience with advanced engineering projects. Mentorship is a key feature, with guidance from startup managers and dedicated Ladder Coaches. Interns in robotics may work on satellite systems or AI tools, developing skills while interacting with peers and benefiting from personalized training. The program supports both professional and personal growth in aerospace and engineering fields.
2. Lumiere Research Scholars Program - Robotics Track
Location: Remote /Virtual
Eligibility: You must be a high school student with a minimum unweighted GPA of 3.3, but no prior experience in your field of interest is required.
Cost: Full financial aid is available!
Application Deadline: Deadlines are varied based on the cohort
Duration: Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year.
Dates:
- Summer cohort - June to August
- Fall cohort - September to December
- Winter cohort - December to February (Upcoming - December 18)
- Spring from March to June.
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program offers high school students the opportunity to collaborate with Ph.D. scholars on independent research projects over 12 weeks. You’ll explore subjects like engineering, AI, machine learning, mathematics, and computer science, culminating in a research paper. This program encourages initiative and curiosity, helping you refine your analytical and critical thinking skills. Past research topics have included comparing human and robot sports training and using robots for disaster monitoring. The program fosters academic growth and enhances college applications.
Find more details about the application process and financial aid packages here!
3. NASA and UT Austin’s SEES High School Summer Intern Program
Location: Online with an option of being on-site at Austin.
Eligibility:
- Current high school Sophomores or Juniors (rising Juniors/Seniors).
- Must be 16 by July 5, 2025
- U.S. Citizens
Cost/Stipend: No cost; unpaid, but interns receive a NASA certificate upon completion.
Application Deadlines: February 22
Program Dates: Each virtual project has a different timeline, within May to July. Please review the project description for additional details. Check here
The SEES High School Summer Intern Program gives students the chance to collaborate with NASA experts on space and satellite research. Selected interns must complete virtual activities by July 1, 2025, to remain eligible. In July, both virtual and on-site interns will work with NASA scientists. The program culminates in the SEES Science Symposium, where you’ll present your research to NASA experts and guests. Be sure your schedule allows for full participation, as prior commitments could interfere with your involvement.
4. MIT Beaver Works Summer Institute
Location: In-Person at MIT and Virtual.
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors attending school in the U.S.
Cost/Stipend: Free except for students whose family income is $150,000 or greater. For them the fee for the program will be $1,750.
Application Deadlines: Online courses will remain open through November 2024 for interested students.
Program Dates: Online courses open on Feb 1, and will remain open to students throughout the summer
The MIT Beaver Works Summer Institute offers high school students hands-on experience in aerospace engineering. You'll work on satellite design, autonomous flight, and dive into advanced topics like Application-Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs). Other programs include designing autonomous drones, building underwater vehicles, and developing "serious games" with AI to tackle real-world problems. The program blends creativity with technology, equipping you with skills for real-world challenges in engineering, game design, and AI development.
5. Summer Advanced AI Robotics Program - High School: Evodyne
Location: Evodyne Robotics Academy, Mountain View, CA. with online options as well
Eligibility: Applicants must be a current junior in high school, being at least 16 years old along with having proficiency in CAD modeling (Fusion 360), Advanced Python programming (beyond basic classes) and/or Soldering and electronics
Cost/Stipend: The program costs $1,749
Application Deadlines: Not mentioned, however applications are currently open
Program Dates:
- June 9 - June 27
- July 7- July 25
Evodyne's Research Lab offers an online robotics internship for high school students interested in advanced robotics and engineering. You’ll work on enhancing and designing robots, assist in summer programs, and gain experience in CAD modeling, Python programming, electronics, web development, and AI tools. Projects include programming robot dogs and optimizing components for 3D printing. The program requires proficiency in at least one technical skill and a strong commitment to complex challenges. It provides an intensive, rewarding experience for aspiring roboticists and engineers.
6. NASA STEM GATEWAY Internship The PolCube CubeSat polarimeter
Location: Virtual with an in person option in Langley, Virginia
Eligibility: All applicants must be above 16 years of age in high school or higher
Cost/Stipend: Not mentioned
Application Deadlines: 28 February 2025
Program Dates: Not mentioned, Summer 2025
NASA’s online robotics internship offers high school students (16+) a chance to engage in advanced research on environmental science. You’ll explore algorithms like PolCube-MAPP to analyze atmospheric aerosols from the PolCube satellite, gaining insights into remote sensing and its impact on global systems and public health. This program requires a strong foundation in data analysis and remote-sensing concepts, along with dedication to tackle complex technical content.
For more information, you can reach out to nasa-internships@mail.nasa.gov.
Location: Virtual usually with an off-line option but not in the 2025 session
Application Deadline: January 24th, 2025
Program Dates: June 18th - July 2nd, 2025
Eligibility: Open to high school 9th graders or rising 10th graders in the summertime. Applicants must be over the age of 14 by the start of the program and have math and/or computer skills
Cost/Stipend: $4,000 (if accepted) and financial aid available for those whose annual family income is below $80,000
Stanford AI4ALL is a two-week online program designed for high school students to learn the fundamentals of AI, with an emphasis on increasing diversity in STEM. You’ll explore topics like Robotics, Computer Vision, Medical AI, and Natural Language Processing, while developing skills in programming, data analysis, and model development. The program includes lectures, research projects, and mentorship, while fostering career growth and creating a supportive community of peers and professionals in AI.
8. Foundations of Data Science & Machine Learning for High School Students: Coding School
Location: Virtual
Eligibility: This program is open to high school students (18 years & under)
Cost/Stipend: $995, with financial aid available
Application Deadlines: Applications open, fill the interest form here
Program Dates: Sept - Dec 2025
The Coding School’s Data Science and Machine Learning internship offers high school students hands-on experience in robotics, machine learning, and engineering. You’ll develop coding skills while working on real-world applications, including data analysis, AI algorithms, and problem-solving techniques. The program includes interactive labs, expert mentorship, and opportunities to connect with industry professionals. It’s a great fit for students passionate about innovation and technology, offering a Certificate of Completion and options for advanced modules to deepen your skills.
9. USC Viterbi CS@SC Summer Camps
Location: Virtual and in-person
Eligibility: Applicants must be students enrolled in Grades 9 - 12
Cost/Stipend: $200 for Virtual classes and $600 for In-Person classes
Application Deadlines: Spring 2025 Registrations will open starting on October 21, 2024. Click here to apply
Program Dates: Not mentioned, but the course will take place in Spring 2025
The CS@SC Robotics and Engineering Camps, hosted by USC Viterbi School of Engineering, offer K-12 students the chance to explore robotics, engineering, and machine learning. You’ll learn robotic design, machine learning algorithms, and autonomous systems, with options for both virtual and in-person participation. High school students can take advanced courses in Robotics Engineering, Artificial Intelligence, and Autonomous Systems. The camps provide hands-on experiences and critical skills for contributing to innovations in robotics and engineering. Virtual sessions are offered over two-week periods with flexible scheduling.
Looking for an immersive internship experience?
Check out Ladder Internships!
Ladder Internships is a selective, virtual internship program that connects students with startups and nonprofits from industries around the world! As part of the internship, you will work on real-world projects that are important to the startup and present your work at the end of the internship. You will also be mentored by their manager from the startup as well as a Ladder Coach. Apply now!