If you’re a middle school student keen to learn more about robotics, consider free robotics courses! 

Here’s why - engaging in the field of robotics early on can spark creativity, improve problem-solving skills, and build a strong foundation for future STEM-related careers, or even your high school trajectory! Free robotics courses are particularly beneficial as they offer the same quality of education without a fee, making them super accessible!

Unlike paid programs, free courses also often focus on community outreach, encouraging you to explore this field without the pressure that comes with participating in competitive research programs in robotics without building a strong foundation in the field. 

Whether through coding, hands-on robot building, or virtual simulations, these courses offer unique opportunities for middle schoolers to dive into robotics.

Here, we have curated a list of 8 free robotics courses that cater to middle school students and provide practical, engaging experiences in robotics.

1. Robotics and AI By Great Learning

Location: Virtual

Application Deadline: No specific deadlines

Eligibility: Open to students of all ages

Program Dates: Availablyear-rounded

In Great Learning's free course on Robotics and AI, you’ll explore the fundamentals of robotics and its connection to artificial intelligence. The course covers essential topics like control systems, algorithms, and robot programming languages. You’ll also dive into AI and machine learning basics, learning about neural networks and AI algorithms that power robotics. Designed for students at various skill levels, the course offers a well-rounded introduction to the world of robotics, blending theoretical knowledge with practical applications.

One unique aspect of this course is its focus on real-world AI applications in robotics and the ethical considerations involved in using AI. 

2. RWTHx: Introduction to Robotic Programming - edx

Location: Virtual

Application Deadline: No specific deadlines

Eligibility: Open to students of all ages

Program Dates: Available year-round, self-paced

This course offers a comprehensive dive into parametric robot control, perfect for students eager to learn about automation and robotic fabrication. Using tools like KUKA|prc and Rhino3d/Grasshopper, you’ll develop skills in modeling, simulation, and optimization within a visual programming environment. This course bridges computational design with mass-customized robotic production, making it a strong foundation for students interested in fields like Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC).

Through lectures and tutorials, you’ll gain hands-on experience with parametric approaches to robotic control, learning to build workflows for design, visualization, and real-world fabrication. By the end of the program, you’ll understand how to move robotic arms in digital environments, simulate processes, and apply your skills to automated construction projects. No prior experience with Rhino or Grasshopper is needed, making this an accessible introduction for anyone curious about how robots are shaping the future of design and production.

3. AlaskaX: 3D Printing Essentials: From Design to Reality - edx

Location: Virtual

Application Deadline: No specific deadlines

Eligibility: Open to students of all ages

Program Dates: Available year-round, self-paced

The AlaskaX: 3D Printing Essentials: From Design to Reality course is a solid way for beginners to work with 3D printing. Over three modules, you’ll learn how to take your creative ideas and bring them to life using 3D printing technology. You’ll start by mastering the basics of design with Autodesk Tinkercad, where you’ll create a personalized keychain and a unique maker coin using simple techniques like resizing, grouping, and mirroring objects. 

As you advance, you’ll explore slicing software like Ultimaker’s Cura, learning how to prepare your designs for printing by adjusting key settings like support structures, infill density, and print temperature. Finally, you’ll print your creation and tackle common challenges through practical troubleshooting techniques. Whether you're interested in product design, robotics, or just looking to spark your creativity, this course provides a solid introduction to the skills needed to transform digital designs into real-world objects with 3D printing.

4. Fundamentals in Cognitive Robotics

Location: Virtual

Application Deadline: No specific deadlines

Eligibility: Open to students of all ages

Program Dates: Available year-round

This course offers a unique opportunity to explore the core elements of creating a "thinking" robot. Designed to help you understand what it takes to develop the robot of the future, this course delves into smart materials, artificial muscle-like limbs, and cognitive systems that mimic human capabilities. You’ll learn how robots can interact with their environment and begin to understand the complex legal and ethical considerations involved in cognitive robotics development.

In addition, the course introduces you to cognitive science, studying the human brain and the central nervous system to help you grasp how robots can process information in a human-like manner. 

5. Understanding Robotics Architecture

Location: Virtual

Application Deadline: No specific deadlines

Eligibility: Open to students of all ages

Program Dates: Available year-round

In this course, you'll delve into the essential components that define robotic systems, starting with the foundational principles of kinematics. This course explains the concept of degrees of freedom (DOF), which describes the range of motion a robot can achieve through its joints. You will explore the anatomy of robots, focusing on the roles of links and joints, and the types of movements they enable. The course also introduces you to various robot manipulator configurations, including the distinctive characteristics of SCARA robots, which are designed for specific tasks requiring vertical insertion.

As you progress, you will learn about advanced concepts such as the Denavit-Hartenberg (DH) algorithm, a systematic method for representing the kinematic chains of robots, as well as direct forward kinematics. Through a detailed analysis of joint and link parameters, you will understand how these elements interact to facilitate movement and orientation in robotic systems. 

6. Robotics For Absolute Beginners + 2 Real Projects - Udemy

Location: Virtual

Application Deadline: No specific deadlines

Eligibility: Open to students of all ages

Program Dates: Available year-round

In the Robotics For Absolute Beginners + 2 Real Projects course, you will gain foundational knowledge in robotics, starting with essential software and CAD designs. The course covers a range of topics from simple concepts to complex problem-solving, focusing on the coordination systems that are crucial in robotics. Throughout the course, you will have access to assignments and notes that reinforce your learning, and you can directly message the instructor for guidance.

As you progress, you will engage in two hands-on projects that allow you to apply the skills you've acquired. The video tutorials are designed to be straightforward and engaging, providing a clear pathway for understanding robotics. By the end of the course, you will have a solid grasp of the key components and concepts in robotics, preparing you to explore further in this dynamic field.

7. Discovering Arduino: Building Smart Devices

Location: Virtual

Application Deadline: No specific deadlines

Eligibility: Open to middle school students (grades 6–8)

Program Dates: Available year-round

In the Discovering Arduino: Building Smart Devices lesson, you will engage in an interactive one-hour session led by an expert instructor. This lesson, designed by professionals from Google, Stanford, and MIT, introduces the fundamentals of electronics and Arduino coding. Students will learn how to create simple electronic systems, exploring concepts like circuit design and programming while working towards building projects such as alarms and motor controls.

The lesson begins with an introduction to electronic circuits and the Arduino platform, highlighting their everyday applications. You will then participate in a hands-on activity using an Arduino simulator, where you can design your first virtual circuit and light up an LED. As the lesson progresses, they will delve into block coding to control these electronic systems. Optional projects like Home Automation and Smart Cars will inspire further exploration, encouraging students to apply their new skills in practical ways. For more details and to request a free session, you can email them at partners@createandlearn.us. 

8. Veritas AI’s Trailblazers

Location: Virtual

Cost: 100% financial aid is available 

Application Deadline: Multiple cohorts throughout the year. The winter cohort deadline is October 20, 2024.

Eligibility: Open to middle school students (grades 6–8)

Program Dates: The AI Trailblazers runs for a total of 25 hours over 10 weekends and the AI Junior Fellowship runs for 12 weeks.

While not a traditional course, Veritas AI offers an engaging learning experience specifically designed for middle school students.  Middle school participants can select from two distinct tracks. The first option, the AI Trailblazers boot camp, provides a foundational understanding of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and Python coding. During the course, students engage in hands-on AI projects in diverse fields such as healthcare, finance, and autonomous vehicles, while receiving guidance from experienced university mentors. This introductory program is conducted over 25 hours across 10 weekends.

For those who have completed the boot camp or possess some familiarity with Python, the AI Junior Fellowship presents another avenue for learning. This 12-week program allows students to collaborate individually with a mentor to develop their own AI project or write a research paper. Further information is available in the program brochure, and interested applicants can submit their applications via the designated form.

One more option - The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program

The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program is a program for middle school students to work one-on-one with a mentor to explore robotics and build a project they are passionate about.  Our mentors are scholars from top research universities such as Harvard, MIT, Stanford, Yale, Duke, and LSE.

The program was founded by a Harvard & Oxford PhD who met as undergraduates at Harvard. The program is rigorous and fully virtual. We offer need-based financial aid for students who qualify. You can find the application in the brochure! 

To learn more, you can reach out to the Head of Partnerships, Maya, at maya.novak-herzog@lumiere.education or go to their website.

Multiple rolling deadlines for JEP cohorts across the year, you can apply using this application link! If you'd like to take a look at the cohorts + deadlines for 2024, you can refer to this page!

Image Source - Veritas AI Logo