8 Online Robotics Internships for High School Students
Online robotics internships for high school students offer a valuable opportunity for you to explore your passions, gain real-world experience, and develop skills in specialized fields while still at school. They allow you to deepen your understanding of subjects you’re passionate about through hands-on exposure to cutting-edge technologies, innovative industries, and collaborative environments. You get the chance to contribute to meaningful projects and connect with industry professionals during online robotics internships for high school students, ultimately contributing towards giving you a competitive edge for college applications and future careers.
Here is a curated list of online robotics internships for high school students that emphasize fields like robotics, artificial intelligence, and STEM research. These opportunities and courses cater to a variety of interests and experience levels, offering opportunities to work with industry leaders, prestigious institutions, and emerging startups.
1. 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: Rolling basis. The spring cohort deadline is January 5, 2025
Program Dates: Various according to the cohort; the spring cohort starts in March. More info here
Eligibility: Ambitious high school students. AI Fellowship applicants should have completed the AI Scholars program or have experience with AI concepts or Python.
Veritas AI offers a range of immersive programs designed for high school students eager to explore artificial intelligence and its applications in real-world contexts. The AI Scholars program is an excellent entry point, providing a 10-session boot camp that introduces you to the fundamentals of AI, machine learning, and data science. As part of the program, you’ll work on practical projects demonstrating how AI is applied in diverse areas like healthcare, finance, and environmental science. These projects solidify your technical skills and give you insights into the interdisciplinary nature of AI, bridging technology with real-world challenges.
For those with a more advanced background, the AI Fellowship takes learning to the next level. This program pairs you with a mentor from a leading university to guide you through an individualized research project. You’ll delve into specialized topics, such as merging AI with medicine, sports analytics, or sustainability, while also gaining access to Veritas AI’s in-house publication team to help you publish your work in research journals. The Fellowship emphasizes innovation and depth, making it a standout choice for students seeking to advance their expertise and showcase their skills through impactful, publication-worthy projects.
Cost: $2,490 (financial aid available)
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. The spring cohort deadline is February 9, 2025
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year. The spring cohort starts on March 3, 2025
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students
Ladder Internships provides high school students with the chance to gain meaningful experience at high-growth startups across diverse industries, including tech, deep tech, AI/ML, robotics, health tech, marketing, journalism, and consulting. Through this program, you will get the opportunity to work on cutting-edge technologies across tech and robotics, from automation systems to AI-powered devices, contributing to real-world innovations through startups.
These startups, often led by accomplished founders – many of whom are Y Combinator alumni or have raised substantial funding – offer interns the opportunity to work on impactful projects. As an intern, you will collaborate closely with your managers and a dedicated Ladder Coach. At the end of the program, you will present your work to company leadership, gaining valuable insights into the fast-paced world of startups.
In addition to project work, you will participate in training sessions designed to enhance professional skills, such as communication, time management, and teamwork. These sessions include personalized coaching and group workshops with peers, creating a supportive learning environment. The eight-week virtual internship balances hands-on experience with skill-building opportunities, preparing students for success in competitive fields like robotics while offering a glimpse into the exciting inner workings of startups.
Cost: $1,950. Financial aid is available.
Application Deadline: February 2, 2025, for the spring cohort
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year; March 9 – June 6, 2025, for the upcoming spring cohort
Eligibility: High school students 15 years or older by March 2025. International students must be willing to adapt to the U.S. timings and have demonstrated English fluency.
StandOut Connect offers high school students an opportunity to immerse themselves in real-world professional environments by pairing them with internships at innovative companies sourced from top accelerator programs like Y Combinator and Techstars. With a focus on empowering students to make meaningful contributions, this program includes a preparatory phase led by alumni from elite universities. These mentors equip you with essential skills for securing and excelling in internships, such as networking, professional communication, and project management.
Following this, you’ll embark on a two-month internship in your chosen area of interest, including robotics and related fields like AI, engineering, and computer science. During the internship, you’ll take the lead on a project tailored to your skills and interests, such as designing robotic prototypes, optimizing automation systems, or applying machine learning to solve industry-specific challenges.
The program’s partnerships span over 500 companies connected to top-tier university entrepreneurship ecosystems, ensuring access to groundbreaking work. Past internships in robotics have included tasks like programming autonomous vehicles, developing robotic arms for precision tasks, or integrating AI for real-time decision-making.
4. Stanford’s SHTEM Summer Internship
Cost/Stipend: $50 application fee; need-based stipend available
Application Deadline: TBA
Internship Dates: Closed for summer 2025; 2026 dates TBA
Eligibility: Students who will be in grades 11 – 12 at the time of application from around the world
Stanford’s SHTEM Summer Internship immerses ambitious high school students in high-level STEM research, providing an unparalleled opportunity to work on cutting-edge projects in areas like robotics, artificial intelligence, and engineering. Over eight weeks, you’ll commit 30 – 40 hours per week to developing and completing a research project under the mentorship of Stanford faculty and advanced researchers. Whether you’re analyzing the capabilities of robotics in precision tasks or exploring innovative uses of AI, the program equips you with practical skills and experience. By the end, you’ll present a polished final project, showcasing your ability to tackle complex challenges and contribute to advancements in STEM.
The program’s structure emphasizes both individual growth and collaborative problem-solving. Working in small groups, you’ll delve into concepts such as programming, data analysis, and cutting-edge technologies. The resources and mentorship provided ensure a rigorous yet supportive environment, enabling you to refine your technical abilities while addressing real-world challenges. This immersive experience not only strengthens your foundation in STEM but also gives you the tools and confidence to excel in future academic or professional pursuits.
5. AI Internship Program by Veritas AI
Cost: $2,490
Application Deadline: February 23, 2025, for the spring cohort. Apply here.
Internship Dates: 8 weeks. Spring cohort starts on March 3, 2025
Eligibility: High school students who have prior experience with AI/ML or have completed a Veritas AI program
The AI Internship Program by Veritas AI is a rigorous and immersive experience designed for high school students with prior knowledge of AI/ML who are eager to apply their skills to real-world projects. For eight weeks, you’ll collaborate with mentors from esteemed institutions like Harvard and Wharton, as well as professionals from industry giants such as Google and Microsoft. You’ll contribute to impactful projects in areas like machine learning applications, data analysis, or automation, working directly with company leadership to deliver tangible outcomes. Weekly milestones include defining your project goals, developing initial drafts, and delivering both interim and final presentations, all under the close guidance of your mentor.
The program emphasizes professional growth and technical mastery, offering invaluable networking opportunities with industry leaders and peers. As you navigate the complexities of your project, you’ll refine essential skills, such as project management, technical problem-solving, and effective communication. Completing the program culminates in a final presentation and a certificate of completion, making it a standout addition to your portfolio and college applications.
6. MIT’s Beaver Works Summer Institute
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: March (tentatively); registration for spring will open on January 15, 2025
Program Dates: TBA for 2025
Eligibility: High school students (except seniors) who are U.S. citizens
The MIT Beaver Works Summer Institute (BWSI) is a prestigious STEM program aimed at high school students eager to dive into the world of robotics, AI, and engineering. This intensive four-week program requires you to complete preparatory online courses in areas such as Python programming and the Robot Operating System (ROS) before advancing to in-person workshops. These foundational courses ensure you’re equipped to handle the demanding, hands-on projects central to the summer experience. On campus, you’ll engage in cutting-edge challenges like designing autonomous air vehicles or creating intelligent cognitive systems. The program concludes with exciting competitions where your work is put to the test in dynamic, real-world scenarios.
BWSI emphasizes innovation and collaboration, pushing you to apply technical knowledge creatively while working alongside similar-minded peers. Courses like "Autonomous Cognitive Assistance" (CogWorks) explore AI and robotics, offering you a chance to design and refine systems that mimic human problem-solving capabilities. With a focus on both technical excellence and teamwork, the program equips you with the skills and mindset needed for success in robotics and beyond. Accessible to students from diverse backgrounds, BWSI offers financial support to qualifying families, ensuring that talent and passion are the key entry requirements.
7. Playto Labs Champion Robotics Summer Camp
Cost: $800 – $1,000 for live 1:1 classes over 7 – 8 months (includes a robotics kit)
Application Deadline: Unspecified
Program Dates: Varies
Eligibility: High school students aged 14 – 16
Playto Labs Champion Robotics Summer Camp is an immersive program that provides a dynamic introduction to robotics and coding through hands-on learning. Throughout this program, you will receive a premium robotics kit, delivered to your doorstep, containing all the components needed to construct and program functional robots. Live one-on-one online sessions with expert instructors ensure personalized attention, allowing you to grasp complex concepts like robotics design, sensors, controllers, and coding in an interactive and engaging way. The project-based curriculum, crafted by a team of industry experts and educators with over a decade of experience, emphasizes creativity, problem-solving, and collaboration.
In addition to building robots, you will participate in global robotics competitions, where you can test your skills, learn from peers, and gain exposure to real-world robotics challenges. The camp is designed to enhance critical thinking and coding proficiency while introducing you to interdisciplinary topics like AI and IoT. By the end of the program, you’ll have created functional robotics projects and gained a certification in robotics, adding value to your academic and professional portfolio.
8. Robotics Foundations I – Robot Modeling by FedericaX on edX
Cost: Free ($55 for certification)
Application Deadline: Open enrolment
Program Dates: 8 weeks (self-paced)
Eligibility: Anyone interested in robotics
The Robotics Foundations I – Robot Modeling course by FedericaX on edX provides participants with an in-depth exploration of the mathematical and engineering principles behind robotic manipulators. Although not strictly an internship, if you're interested in robotics and want to build a strong foundation, this course is an excellent starting point.
You'll dive into kinematics, learning how to model robotic motion using the Denavit-Hartenberg convention and homogeneous transformations. Through this systematic approach, you'll also tackle inverse kinematics, finding solutions for common manipulation structures. The course introduces the Jacobian matrix – a crucial tool for understanding differential kinematics, redundancy, and singular configurations in robotic systems. Additionally, it delves into the equations of motion using Lagrange and Newton-Euler formulations, providing insights into motion simulation and control algorithm design.
This intermediate-level program bridges multiple disciplines, including mechanics, signal processing, control engineering, and mathematical modeling, making it ideal for students aiming to grasp the technical aspects of robotics. With no prerequisites, the course is accessible to motivated learners and offers practical applications in industrial, field, and service robotics. By completing this program, you'll develop skills in simulation, statics, and algorithm formulation, preparing you for advanced robotics challenges or further studies in the field.
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