10 University Robotics Programs for High School Students
University robotics programs for high school students provide a valuable opportunity to explore hands-on learning, industry exposure, and connections in a rapidly growing field. These programs often offer you the chance to work with cutting-edge technology and collaborate with professionals, helping build technical skills and critical thinking abilities. Many prestigious institutions offer structured university robotics programs for high school students that will introduce you to real-world applications of robotics.
For students interested in robotics, these programs are an excellent way to dive deeper into the field. In this blog, we’ve narrowed down the top 10 university robotics programs for high school students, providing insights into each program’s offerings and benefits so you can identify the programs that best align with your interests and academic goals.
1. MIT Beaver Works Summer Institute (BWSI)
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA + Virtual options
Cost:
Online prerequisite courses: Free
Summer program: $2,350 if your family income is $150,000 or greater
Acceptance Rate: Selective, varies by course
Dates: July 7 – August 2/3
Application Deadline: March 3 – 31 (for the offline summer courses). Online pre-requisite courses open on February 3
Eligibility: High school juniors who live in the U.S. and have completed an online prerequisite course. You can self-register here!
The MIT Beaver Works Summer Institute offers one of the best university robotics programs for high school students, allowing you to explore the immersive learning of robotics and other STEM areas. This rigorous four-week program focuses on real-world applications of autonomous systems and robotics, offering you a chance to engage in projects like autonomous race cars or underwater autonomous robots.
As a participant, you will work closely with MIT faculty and industry professionals, enhancing your understanding of engineering principles and problem-solving. The program includes technical workshops, team-based projects, and mentorship opportunities.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Starting from $2,290 (financial aid available)
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year. The spring cohort starts in March
Application Deadline: Rolling. The deadline for the spring cohort is February 23. Apply here!
Eligibility: Ambitious high school students. AI Fellowship applicants should have completed the AI Scholars program or have experience with AI concepts and Python.
Veritas AI, founded by Harvard graduate students, offers high school students a comprehensive introduction to artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data science. The AI Scholars program is a 10-session boot camp designed for beginners. It provides you with the foundational knowledge of AI and data science while giving you the chance to work on practical projects. Through immersive experiences, you will develop practical skills and gain an understanding of AI's applications.
For advanced students, Veritas AI offers the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase. This program allows you to work 1:1 with mentors from top universities, leading individual projects in AI. A unique aspect of this fellowship is the opportunity for you to publish your work in high school research journals, supported by Veritas AI's in-house publication team. This program is ideal for ambitious students looking to push the boundaries of AI knowledge and research.
3. Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes: Artificial Intelligence
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost: $3,080 (financial aid available); details here
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates:
Session 1: June 16 – June 27
Session 2: July 07 – July 18
Application Deadline: March 20
Eligibility: Students in grades 10-11 at the time of application who have beginning-level proficiency with the programming language, Python
The Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes offers several university robotics programs for high school students, including the Artificial Intelligence program. This two-week program is designed to give you an understanding of how intelligent systems are trained to perform specific tasks through methods like supervised learning, unsupervised learning, and reinforcement learning algorithms. As a participant, you will also explore the implications of bias in data and AI, with discussions on how to mitigate such issues.
The program covers fundamental concepts in linear algebra, statistics, calculus, and optimization, ensuring you can understand the theory behind AI. You will also have continuous practice, developing programming proficiency by implementing algorithms in Python. You will be encouraged to use these skills to build ethical AI systems that can solve more realistic problems. This program emphasizes a balanced approach to both theoretical knowledge and practical applications.
Location: Remote
Acceptance rate: Selective
Cost: Starting from $2,490 (financial aid available)
Dates: 8-12 weeks, with cohorts starting in spring, summer, fall, and winter. The spring cohort starts on March 3
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary by cohort. The spring cohort deadline is February 9. Apply here!
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students who can commit 10-20 hours/week for 8-12 weeks
The Ladder Internship Program offers a selective, high-impact internship experience for high school students who want to work with fast-growing start-ups. As a participant, you’ll work on practical projects with companies in industries ranging from technology, AI, and machine learning to health tech, marketing, and consulting. You will also be paired with a start-up manager and a Ladder Coach, ensuring strong mentorship throughout the program.
You’ll get to contribute to meaningful projects and gain exposure to the challenges of start-up environments, working closely with teams raising millions in funding. The program culminates in a presentation where you will showcase your work to the company. The Ladder Internship Program is designed to provide you with industry experience while developing key skills in innovation, collaboration, and entrepreneurship.
5. Yale University: Social Robotics Lab
Location: Social Robotics Lab, Yale University, New Haven, CT
Stipend: Unpaid
Acceptance Rate: Highly competitive
Dates: Summer (at least six weeks required)
Application Deadline: Applications will open in mid-February
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 11-12; at least 16 years old
Yale University’s Social Robotics Lab offers a summer internship for high school students interested in robotics and human social behavior. During this six-week internship, you will work closely with the lab’s principal investigator (PI), staff, and other students on special projects that explore human-robot interaction. You will gain valuable experience in the technical and social aspects of robotics while developing practical skills in an active research setting.
You will participate in training and orientation before diving into projects and learn new concepts through practical application! While this university robotics program for high school students provides a meaningful educational experience, it is also highly competitive; selection is based on your skills, interests, and current lab needs. The internship is unpaid, but it offers a lucrative opportunity for you to build a foundation in robotics and social behavior research.
6. Project ENGAGES (Georgia Tech)
Location: Georgia Tech, Atlanta, GA
Stipend: Not mentioned
Acceptance Rate: Highly competitive; serves minority high school students
Dates: Year-long (Full-time in summer; part-time during the school year)
Application Deadline: March 7; apply here!
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors (must be 16 by June 2), with priority given to students from partner schools
Project ENGAGES is a high school science education program developed by Georgia Tech in partnership with seven minority-serving public schools in Atlanta. This year-long program offers high school students an opportunity to participate in advanced research, both through hands-on projects in Georgia Tech laboratories and virtual learning via video conferencing! The program also includes a "Boot Camp" to help students develop essential scientific research skills.
As a student, you will be paired with mentors from Georgia Tech to conduct your own research projects, which you will later present at science fairs. The program's emphasis on mentorship, research, and community outreach makes it a standout option for students interested in STEM fields.
7. Evodyne Robotics’ Summer Advanced AI Robotics Program
Location: Evodyne Robotics, Mountain View, CA (in-person and virtual options available)
Cost: Varies based on track/project
Acceptance Rate: Limited seats; competitive
Dates: June 9 – July 25
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions. Check out their website for more details on specific programs!
Eligibility: High School students aged 14+ who are serious about pursuing robotics
The Summer Advanced AI Robotics Program, hosted by Evodyne Robotics, is designed for high school students passionate about robotics and AI. The advanced curriculum includes building AI-enabled robots from scratch while learning programming languages like Python and C++. It also focuses on teaching essential skills in electronics, mechatronics, and 3D design!
As a participant, you will explore AI concepts, such as OpenCV and ROS (Robot Operating System), all under the guidance of experienced roboticists from Silicon Valley. By the end of the program, you will have gained valuable experience, solved complex robotics problems, and built your own functioning robots.
8. University of Texas at Austin: Academy for Robotics
Location: UT Austin Campus, Austin, TX
Acceptance Rate: Limited slots, competitive
Cost: $2,100 (limited scholarships available)
Dates:
Session 1: June 15 – 20
Session 2: June 22 – 27
Application Deadline: Enrollment opens in February
Eligibility: Students entering grades 10-12 in the fall. Open to applicants of all skill levels
The Academy for Robotics is a university robotics program for high school students hosted by the University of Texas at Austin. It offers high school students a hands-on introduction to robotics. In this one-week residential program, you will assemble and program robots, work with Arduino, and experiment with sensors and motors. The program emphasizes creativity and problem-solving, with students engaging in robotics projects and participating in competitive robot races!
Mentorship is a key component, with a 10:1 student-to-mentor ratio ensuring personalized guidance throughout the program. By the end of the week, you will have developed a solid understanding of robotics concepts and practical skills that can be applied in future projects or internships.
9. Playto Labs Summer Robotics Camp
Location: Virtual
Cost: $800 – $1,000 (includes robotics kit and live 1:1 classes)
Acceptance Rate: Open enrollment
Dates: Throughout the summer (7-8 months)
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions. Book a free trial here!
Eligibility: Students aged 8-16
Playto Labs offers a virtual summer robotics camp where students aged 8-16 can explore coding, robotics, and problem-solving. The program is structured around project-based learning, with participants receiving their own robotics kits and attending live, one-on-one classes over 7-8 months.
As a student, you will gain hands-on experience while learning key STEM skills, such as programming, critical thinking, and design. Playto Labs’ curriculum is designed by experts from top institutions and companies, providing you with a well-rounded and engaging summer learning experience!
10. Tufts Engineering Design Lab
Location: Tufts University, Medford/Somerville Campus
Cost:
Commuter: $4,225
Residential: $5,750
Materials fee: $200
Acceptance Rate: Limited seats, moderately competitive
Dates:
Session 1: July 8 – 18
Session 2: July 20 – August 1
Application Deadline: May 1; apply here!
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 10-12 or 2025 graduates
The Engineering Design Lab (EDL) at Tufts offers high school students the chance to immerse themselves in engineering, fabrication, robotics, and computation, all while solving real-world problems. Over two weeks, you will engage with guest speakers from the university and industry, who will share insights into their research and professional challenges.
As a student, you will work on your own engineering design projects, taking inspiration from these experts! You will have access to Tufts’ cutting-edge Nolop Makerspace, equipped with laser cutting, 3D printing, and robotics platforms like Raspberry Pi and GoPiGo3. Python programming through Jupyter Notebooks is also part of the experience.
Are you looking to start a project or research paper in the field of AI and ML? Consider applying to Veritas AI!
Veritas AI is an AI program designed for high schoolers. It’s founded and run by Harvard graduate students. The program aims to give students the opportunity to create unique projects in the field of AI. Participants will get to learn more about AI from researchers and experts and work 1-on-1 with mentors from Harvard, MIT, Stanford, and more. In just the past year, we’ve had over a thousand students learn with us! You too can apply!
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