Diving into robotics programs in high school can open exciting doors for students interested in technology and engineering. These programs offer a hands-on introduction to robotics, covering everything from coding and electronics to machine learning and AI. By participating in an online robotics course, students can gain practical skills, expand their academic interests, and even build impressive projects— all from the comfort of their homes.

One major advantage of virtual programs is their flexibility. Online learning allows students to learn at their own pace, making it possible to balance these courses with school, sports, or other activities. Many of these programs are affiliated with reputable universities, helping students gain knowledge from top educators while building a strong foundation in STEM. Adding an online robotics program to a college application can demonstrate initiative and a keen interest in exploring new fields, both of which are highly valued by universities.

Here’s a list of 10 online robotics programs for high school students that offer unique learning experiences, skill development, and opportunities in this fast-growing field.

1. Lumiere Research Scholar Program

Cost: 

• Individual Research Program (12 weeks) - $2,990 

• The Premium Research & Publication Program (16-20 weeks) - $5,900 

• The Research Fellowship (6-12 months) - $8,900 

Program Length: Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year. 

Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. The Winter Cohort application deadline is November 24, 2024. 

Eligibility:

• You must be currently enrolled in high school

• Students must demonstrate a high level of academic achievement. (Note. students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4)

• No previous knowledge of your field of interest is required!

The Lumiere Research Scholar Program offers an intensive, hands-on research experience for high school students. Over 12 weeks, you will work 1-1 with Ph.D. scholars to develop your own research paper, diving into an area of your choice.

With a wide range of fields to explore—including psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, and international relations— you will gain valuable experience conducting independent research under expert guidance. 

For more information on how to apply, visit the program’s official website.

2. Veritas AI

Cost: 

• $2,290 for the 10-week AI Scholars program

• $5,400 for the 15-week AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase

• $6,900 for both

• Need-based financial aid is available for AI Scholars. You can apply here. 

Application deadline: On a rolling basis. Winter cohort deadline - December 1, 2024

Program dates: Various according to the cohort

Program selectivity: Moderately selective

Eligibility: Ambitious high school students located anywhere in the world. AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python.

Application Requirements: Online application form, answers to a few questions about the student's background & coding experience, math courses, and areas of interest.

Veritas AI, led by Harvard graduate students, offers specialized programs for high school students with an interest in artificial intelligence. The AI Scholars program is ideal for beginners, guiding you through 10 sessions on  AI, machine learning, and data science. You will explore core concepts and apply them to real-world projects, providing a strong foundation for further study.

For advanced learners, the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase provides the chance to collaborate on individual projects with mentors from leading universities. This program includes access to an in-house publication team, which will help you publish your research in high school journals. The fellowship also encourages you to apply AI in fields such as finance, medicine, sports, and environmental science, helping you gain experience in interdisciplinary innovation. Check out examples of past projects to see how AI is being applied in diverse domains here!

3. Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy - Coding and Computational Thinking With a Virtual Robot

Cost: $9

Application Deadline: Open enrollment.

Program Length: The program is self-paced, allowing students to progress at their own speed.

Eligibility: High school students with an interest in STEM.

The Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy's Coding and Computational Thinking program aims to teach you programming fundamentals using VICE, a virtual robot that is equipped with an array of sensors (touch, color, distance, and gyro) and outputs (LED, LCD, speaker, and more). The curriculum encompasses nine units, including Robot Movement, Digital Sensors, and Loops, and ends with a Capstone Challenge that features over 75 virtual environments wherein students can apply what they’ve learned.

This self-paced course covers core concepts in robotics and problem-solving, featuring guided video tutorials, animations, and interactive challenges. Its integrated learning management system (LMS) tracks your progress, automatically saves any code you’ve written, and presents step-by-step lessons to support flexible learning. Whether you’re new to coding or building on previous experience, navigating these varied virtual environments will help you hone valuable skills in computational thinking.

4. MIT Beaver Works Summer Institute - Autonomous    Underwater Vehicle Challenge 2024

Cost: Free

Application Deadline: Open enrollment.

Program Length: This is a self-paced program and typically runs for 47 weeks. 

Eligibility: High school students are eligible to apply.

The Autonomous Underwater Vehicle Challenge 2024 at MIT Beaver Works Summer Institute (BWSI) begins with a self-paced online course running from February 1 to December 22, 2024. This course is a prerequisite for students interested in participating in the summer challenge and will teach you how to program an underwater vehicle to navigate an obstacle course autonomously, using buoys as guides.

The online component, spanning 47 weeks, covers foundational concepts necessary for the intensive 4-week summer challenge, where you will apply these skills in a hands-on setting to operate the vehicle. The curriculum offers ample preparation, ensuring that you are able to engage fully with the advanced programming and navigation tasks during the summer challenge.

5. MIT Beaver Works Summer Institute - Autonomous Air Vehicle Racing 2024

Cost: Free

Application Deadline: Open enrollment.

Program Length: This is a self-paced program, allowing students to progress at their own speed.

Eligibility: High school students are eligible to apply.

Participating in the Autonomous Air Vehicle Racing (BWSI UAV Racing) is a 4-week summer program, prior to which you’re required to complete a self-paced course online. This online course covers essential topics like control theory, flight dynamics, and the basics of writing algorithms. Offered by the Beaver Works Summer Institute (BWSI), the course leads up to the race, which is a challenging, hands-on experience for students interested in drone technology and autonomous systems. Overall, it prepares you to design and program autonomous quadrotors (drones), focusing on the algorithms and mathematical principles required to create software for flight and navigation.

Upon completing the online curriculum, you will be ready to participate in the Autonomous Air Vehicle Race and put your newfound skills to the test.

6. University of Pennsylvania - Robotics Specialization

Cost: $158. Some need-based financial aid is available.

Application Deadline: Open enrollment.

Program Length: The program runs for 6 months, with students typically spending an estimated 2-6 hours of work per week.

Eligibility: High school students are eligible to apply.

The Robotics Specialization from the University of Pennsylvania, available on Coursera, provides an in-depth introduction to the world of robotics, with a focus on building practical skills for real-world applications. This six-course specialization covers a wide array of topics, including robot flight, motion planning, and the role of robotics in crisis management scenarios such as disaster recovery and construction.

Throughout this specialization program, you will delve into core concepts such as programming, robot mobility, perception, and autonomy. These foundational skills culminate in a Capstone Project where you will program a robot to perform tasks like flying and object manipulation. The specialization will equip you with skills in motion planning, estimation, and programming robots to navigate challenging environments and execute complex tasks, preparing you to pursue advanced studies in the field of robotics.

7. Udacity’s Robotics Software Engineer Nanodegree Program

Cost: $846

Application Deadline: Open enrollment.

Program Length: The program runs for 4 months, with students typically spending an estimated 10 hours of work per week.

Eligibility: High school students are eligible to apply.

The Robotics Software Engineer Nanodegree Program from Udacity gives you the practical skills and knowledge needed to work with robotic systems. In this program, you’ll learn how to combine computer vision, machine learning, mechanics, and hardware systems to create and control autonomous robots. Developed with input from robotics experts, this program focuses on key algorithms like localization, SLAM (simultaneous localization and mapping), path planning, and navigation. 

Through interactive projects, you use C++ and the Robot Operating System (ROS) in Gazebo simulations to build and program autonomous robots. To get started on this, you’ll need to have a foundational understanding of C++, linear algebra, descriptive statistics, basic calculus, and Lidar technology. As you progress through the course, you will dive into advanced topics like Kalman and Monte Carlo Localization filters, path planning, and SLAM implementations. 

The program starts with simulating robotic environments in Gazebo before moving on to hands-on work with ROS, where you will build and program autonomous robots to perform tasks like object tracking. You will also explore mapping using 2D and 3D data, and learn to guide robots through complex spaces using path-planning algorithms.

8. Playto Labs Summer Robotics Camp

Cost: The program fee ranges from $800 to $1,000. 

Application Deadline: Open enrollment.

Program Length: The program runs for 7-8 months and is available throughout the summer.

Eligibility: Open to students aged 8 to 16. 

Playto Labs’ Summer Robotics Camp is an exciting online program designed for students aged 8-16, that focuses on hands-on STEM learning. Over 7-8 months, you will work one-on-one with mentors through live sessions, receiving personalized guidance, and a robotics kit for practical, project-based learning. 

Through the curriculum, you will explore topics like robotics, coding, and electronics, as well as building, programming, and testing your own robots along the way. As you develop these technical skills, you will strengthen your critical thinking, problem-solving, and confidence in building and innovating. If you’re looking for a fun and engaging way to learn robotics, Playto Labs offers a great opportunity to build your skills and spark your curiosity.

9. University of Wisconsin Madison Engineering Summer Program

Cost: Free

Application Deadline: This information has not been released yet.

Program Dates: June 24 – 27, 2025 (tentative based on the 2024 program)

Eligibility: 

• Have an interest in STEM

• Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident

• Be a current 8th grader or freshman in high school

The University of Wisconsin–Madison’s Virtual Engineering Summer Program (ESP) is a free, one-week online camp for students entering 9th or 10th grade in the upcoming school year. You’ll explore the world of engineering through interactive sessions that highlight the engineering majors offered at the UW-Madison College of Engineering.

With design kits mailed to your doorstep, you will experience the engineering design process firsthand by working on hands-on projects remotely. The program also includes college preparatory workshops and mentoring from current undergraduates, giving you valuable insight into college life, the application process, and career pathways in engineering.

10. edX - Robotics: Dynamics and Control - University of Pennsylvania

Cost: Free to audit, with a certificate for a fee of $349. 

Application Deadline: Open enrollment.

Program Length: The program runs for 12 weeks, with students typically spending an estimated 8-10 hours of work per week.

Eligibility: High school students are eligible to apply.

Dynamics and Control, a free online course offered by the University of Pennsylvania, is for students interested in learning how to design and control complex robotic systems. Over 12 weeks, you’ll explore topics pertaining to robot arms, mobile robots, and quadrotors, focusing on their dynamics and control mechanisms. 

You will learn to solve dynamics problems and design control systems through hands-on projects, including modeling a robot arm, working on control and trajectory following for a mobile robot, as well as planning and controlling a quadrotor. The syllabus delves into both linear and nonlinear control techniques, stability theory, and trajectory generation, equipping you with the skills needed to manage complex robotic movements. Whether you’re considering a career in robotics or want to deepen your understanding of control systems, this course provides a solid foundation in both theory and practice.

Written by: Stephen Turban

Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.

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