15 Robotics Summer Research Programs for High School Students
If you’re a high school student interested in robotics, summer research programs, specialized courses, and internships are a great way to take your skills to the next level without a big financial commitment. Robotics summer research programs for high school students not only help you gain new skills, but also sharpen older ones—whether it’s coding basics, mechanical design, or problem-solving. These programs let you apply what you already know in real-world contexts, pushing you to grow while reinforcing your foundation.
Many robotics summer research programs for high school students, often hosted by leading universities and organizations, make advanced learning accessible to motivated learners. You’ll get hands-on practice with industry tools and software like Python, Arduino, or CAD programs, while collaborating on projects that mirror what engineers and researchers are working on today. These experiences give you exposure to engineering principles, automation, and emerging technologies, while connecting you with peers and mentors who share your passion.
To help you get started, we’ve curated a list of the top 15 robotics summer research programs for high school students eager to strengthen their technical abilities and research skills. The list also includes a few virtual programs you can join from anywhere.
1. Columbia Engineering’s Summer High School Academic Program for Engineers (SHAPE)
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY
Cost: Residential Fee: $10,705; Commuter Fee: $5,880; need-based scholarships are available
Dates: July 7 – 25; July 28 – August 15
Application Deadline: March 3
Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, seniors, and recent high school graduates | Students need to be 16 or older for the residential option
Columbia Engineering's Summer High School Academic Program for Engineers (SHAPE) is a selective, intensive 3-week pre-college summer program designed for rising sophomores, juniors, seniors, and recent high school graduates with an interest and aptitude for STEM. The program features two sessions with project-based courses. Faculty from Columbia University will guide you through rigorous lessons combined with interactive workshops and preparatory sessions for college readiness. Courses like Robotics and Autonomous Driving allow you to build and program robotic cars, integrating sensors and autonomous navigation principles. The use of SOLIDWORKS and 3D modeling enhances the hands-on learning process.
2. Ladder Internships
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Varies depending on program type; financial aid available | None
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter; Summer Cohort I: June 2; Summer Cohort II: July 14
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. Summer I: May 11; Summer II: June 23
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks
Ladder Internships is a selective program that offers high school students the chance to gain practical experience working with fast-growing start-ups. The program places students in remote internships across diverse industries, including technology, deep tech, AI/ML, health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more. Many of these start-ups are backed by Y Combinator, with founders who bring experience from companies such as Google, McKinsey, and Microsoft. Throughout the internship, you work closely with a start-up manager and a dedicated Ladder Coach on meaningful projects, concluding with a presentation of your work to the company. You can explore internship opportunities directly through their application portal.
3. Secondary School Program by Harvard
Location: Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, or Virtual
Cost: $4,050 – $14,950 (depending on length and type) + $75 application fee; financial aid is available
Dates: 4-Week: July 12 – August 8; 7-Week: June 20 – August 8
Application Deadline: February 11
Eligibility: High school students who at least 16 years old by June 20 not turn 19 before July 31 of the application year | Will graduate from high school and enter college in the application or the subsequent two years
At Harvard Summer School’s Secondary School Program (SSP), you can take college-level courses for academic credit in either a 4-week or 7-week session. The seven-week Robotics, Autonomous Vehicles, Drones, and Artificial Intelligence course introduces you to the core technologies driving modern automation. Through hands-on exercises and simulations, you explore sensor systems, vision-based perception, and systems-level autonomy. The curriculum incorporates engineering design principles along with AI and machine learning algorithms. You also analyze how these technologies apply to areas like self-driving cars and drone delivery. The program gives you direct exposure to Harvard’s faculty and academic resources throughout the session.
4. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type
Application deadline: On a rolling basis. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Program dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter.
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, 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.
5. Summer@Brown
Location: Brown University, Providence, RI
Cost: $2,960 - $10,386 + $65-$100 application fee; application fee waivers and scholarships are available
Dates: Multiple sessions between June 16 – July 25
Application Deadline: May 9
Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, or seniors in high school | Age 14 to 18 years old by the program start date | Should be completing grades 9 to 12 by the time of participation
Summer@Brown is Brown University's flagship pre-college summer program designed for high school students that offers an immersive, college-level academic experience without the pressure of formal grades or credit. It offers more than 230 non-credit courses designed for high school students to experience active, college-level learning. The Artificial Intelligence: A Computational Account of Intelligence course introduces the principles that drive modern intelligent systems. You’ll explore topics such as machine learning, decision-making, and computational models that support robotics and automation. Hands-on programming exercises help you understand how AI concepts apply to real-world systems. The curriculum also examines both the potential and challenges of applying AI responsibly.
6. Columbia University Pre-College NYC Residential Summer
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY
Cost: $12,764 + $80 application fee; financial aid is available
Dates: Session A: June 30 – July 18; Session B: July 22 – August 8
Application Deadline: Typically in March
Eligibility: High school students who are 15 years or older
At the NYC Residential Summer Program at Columbia University, you can choose from over 70 courses across multiple disciplines. The program includes daily classes of about four hours, combining structured instruction with hands-on projects. In the Data Science and Machine Learning course, you explore algorithms, real-world applications, and Python-based coding exercises, which help you understand how data powers robotics and other intelligent systems. If you take Introduction to Programming with Python, you focus on programming basics, problem-solving, and data structures. Completion of the program earns you a Columbia University Certification of Participation.
7. Summer Program in Automation, Robotics, and Coding (SPARC) | NYU Tandon School of Engineering
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost: $3,300 + $638 housing fee & $398 mandatory meal plan
Dates: Session 1: June 16 – 27; Session 2: July 7 – 18; Session 3: July 28 – August 8
Application Deadline: May 15
Eligibility: Current 9th- graduating 12th graders
SPARC at NYU Tandon offers a two-week, full-day program focused on automation, robotics, and coding for students. You engage with the fundamentals of robotics and mechatronics while developing programming skills. Through a hands-on robotics kit, you learn to use microcontrollers, sensors, actuators, electrical circuits, sensor interfacing, and programming constructs such as loops and conditionals. Coding lessons cover essential constructs, including loops and binary code, for controlling your creations. The program also introduces you to electrical and mechanical engineering concepts applied in automation systems. Robot competitions at the end of the session let you test and refine your work in collaborative challenges.
8. UT Austin's Academy for Robotics
Location: UT Austin Campus, Austin, TX
Cost: $2,100; limited academy scholarships are available
Dates: Session 1: June 15 – 20; Session 2: June 22 – 27
Application Deadline: No fixed deadline; students can secure their spots on a first-come, first-served basis
Eligibility: Students entering 10th-12th grade in the Fall
The Academy for Robotics at UT Austin is a one-week program designed to give you a comprehensive introduction to robotics. You build and program robots using Arduino and C++, while also exploring Linux basics for robotics applications. Key topics include robot sensors, motors, skid steering, and control techniques like PID. Simulations and collaborative projects let you work with tools commonly used in robotics research. At the end of the week, you test your skills in a robot race with fellow participants. You also meet professors, industry experts, and current UT students to learn about future academic and career paths.
9. Summer Advanced AI Robotics Program - Evodyne Robotics
Location: In-person at Evodyne Robotics, CA | Virtual
Cost: $399 – $700 per track; $1,749 for all four tracks
Dates: Option 1: June 9 – 27; Option 2: July 7 – 25
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: High school students ages 14 and above
The Summer Advanced AI Robotics Program by Evodyne Robotics allows you to build AI-enabled robots from scratch. In this in-person or virtual program, you gain hands-on experience in programming, computer science, electronics, and mechanical engineering. The Genesis Track focuses on building an advanced quadruped robot dog while learning OpenCV for 3D computer vision, ROS, and deep learning concepts. You also develop skills in mechatronics, CAD design, and advanced Python and C++ programming. All robots and materials are included, and you take your completed robot home. Certification and access to class recordings ensure you can revisit lessons even after the program ends.
10. NYU’s ARISE Program
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost/Stipend: None / $1,000
Dates: June 2 – August 8
Application Deadline: February 21
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors residing and attending school in New York City
NYU’s ARISE Program (Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering) is a free, seven-week, full-time summer research program hosted by the NYU Tandon School of Engineering that offers hands-on experience in active STEM labs. You explore interdisciplinary fields such as bioengineering, molecular engineering, chemical engineering, robotics, computer science, artificial intelligence, and machine learning. The program provides practical exposure to advanced research methods and tools. Throughout the experience, you build a deeper understanding of key STEM concepts and applications. You’ll also receive mentorship, be part of seminars, and present your work at a symposium at the American Museum of Natural History and a final colloquium.
11. USF High School Robotics Camp
Location: USF Tampa College of Engineering campus, FL
Cost: $999.99
Dates: Session 1: June 23 – 27; Session 2: July 14 – 18
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: All high school students entering grades 9-12
At the USF High School Robotics Camp, you spend a week exploring the fundamentals of robotics through hands-on projects. Using Raspberry Pi, 3D printing, and advanced programming tools, you design, build, and program your own Autonomous Mobile Robot (AMR). Sessions cover topics like robotics basics, sensor integration, and environmental interaction. You also gain exposure to industrial robotics using ABB RobotStudio in USF’s engineering labs. By the end of the camp, you take home your completed robot along with programming files. The program provides a structured introduction to robotics and practical skills applicable to advanced engineering studies.
12. Tufts University - Coding Academy
Location: Tufts University, Medford / Somerville, MA.
Cost: Commuter: $4,225; Residential: $5,750; limited need-based scholarships are available
Dates: Typically mid July – early August
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 10-12; additional eligibility requirements may be added
The Tufts University Coding Academy is a two-week intensive summer program designed for high school students entering grades 10-12. In this program, you spend two weeks learning Python through lectures, coding labs, and collaborative projects. You progress through different coding tracks based on your experience, from beginners learning foundational concepts (Coding 101) to more advanced topics like data visualization, machine learning, and cryptography (Coding 301). The program emphasizes practical problem-solving, teamwork, and building a coding portfolio. You attend guest lectures covering topics like AI, robotics, and cybersecurity. “Tech Treks” take you to companies such as Google and HubSpot for industry exposure. The program concludes with a final project presentation.
13. Boston Leadership Institute - Electronics & Robotics
Location: Bentley University or Gann Academy, Waltham, MA.
Cost: One week: $699; three-week tuition: $2,500; three-week residential: $2,097; remote: $1,200; selective scholarships are available
Dates: June 23 – July 11
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: All high school students
The Boston Leadership Institute’s Electronics & Robotics program is a competitive, three-week summer engineering program designed for high-achieving high school students interested in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and computer science. The program focuses on iterative design, coding principles, and problem-solving through experimentation. You will design and build robotic vehicles while programming them to complete tasks like obstacle navigation and environmental response. It includes hands-on projects, 3D printing, coding challenges, and field trips to help you understand real-world applications in robotics. By the end, you gain foundational skills for advanced studies in engineering and robotics.
14. Stanford AI4ALL
Location: Virtual
Cost: $4,000; financial aid is available
Dates: June 18 – July 2
Application Deadline: January 24
Eligibility: 9th-graders or rising 10th-graders in the summer | Over 14 years by the start of the program
Stanford AI4ALL is a two-week online program that introduces high school students to artificial intelligence (AI) through interactive, hands-on learning. You explore areas such as robotics, computer vision, medical AI, and natural language processing while gaining experience with practical AI tools. The program emphasizes collaboration with a diverse group of peers and guidance from experienced AI mentors. Throughout the sessions, you build both technical knowledge and awareness of AI-related career opportunities. By the end, you develop a clear understanding of how AI can address real-world problems and its broader impact on society.
15. George Mason University’s Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)
Location: Virtual
Cost: $25 application fee; waivers are available
Dates: June 18 – August 8
Application Deadline: February 2
Eligibility: For computer lab internships, students must be at least 15 years old by the program start date | For in-person or hybrid wet-lab internships, students must be at least 16 years old
The Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP) at George Mason University is an eight-week experience that allows high school students to engage in innovative research with guidance from faculty mentors. During the program, you gain hands-on experience with advanced technologies in areas such as robotics, machine learning, cybersecurity, and nanoscience. You also build skills in scientific writing, communication, and problem-solving while connecting with STEM professionals. Opportunities include contributing to publications or presenting research at conferences. Previous projects have covered topics ranging from renewable energy and robotics to infectious diseases and exoplanet exploration.
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