For high school students interested in robotics and its related fields, such as engineering and artificial intelligence, you should consider participating in an extracurricular program! These programs help build critical skills, inspire innovation, and open doors to career opportunities in STEM fields. However, access to quality training can come with a cost attached to it. This is why we’ve curated this list of awesome robotics programs that are free of cost! Several great programs are free, offering students the chance to gain hands-on experience, engage with industry experts, and tackle modern challenges. 

Whether you’re interested in programming autonomous robots, exploring the mechanics of engineering, or envisioning the future of AI, these free programs provide tailored learning experiences that will allow you to explore robotics in depth. Each program on this list offers valuable insight, from intensive workshops to mentorship-driven research projects, helping you find the perfect path to explore your interests and build a strong foundation in robotics. 

Here’s a closer look at 10 free robotics programs for high school students, designed to equip you with practical skills, collaborative experience, and insights that will fuel your journey in STEM. 

1. NYU’s Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering (ARISE)

NYU’s ARISE program offers a comprehensive 10-week summer research experience for high school students passionate about STEM fields, including robotics, engineering, and computer science. Hosted by the NYU Tandon School of Engineering, you’ll engage with real-world research in NYU’s advanced labs, guided by faculty mentors and graduate students. The program combines immersive lab work with interdisciplinary coursework, touching on key topics such as robotics, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and bioengineering. 

The program begins with 4 weeks of remote, after-school workshops in June, covering essential topics such as data analysis, lab safety, scientific ethics, and college application preparation. Following the workshops, you'll participate in six weeks of full-time, in-person research. During this period, you'll be assigned to a specific lab where you'll contribute to ongoing research projects, gaining hands-on experience in your chosen field. You will also work on developing your presentation skills in collaboration with the Irondale Ensemble Project and get a chance to showcase your research findings in a final presentation before an audience of NYU faculty, peers, and family. This is a unique opportunity to gain technical expertise and connect with academic professionals — all while earning a stipend!

Location: Hybrid – remote workshops in June and on-site research at NYU Tandon School of Engineering, New York, NY

Program dates: June 3 – August 9, preceded by an online course (tentative, based on the 2024 program)

Application deadline: Applications are typically open from December to March.

Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors residing in New York City who have completed coursework in algebra and lab-based science.

2. MITES Summer

The MITES Summer program, hosted by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), offers a rigorous 6-week residential experience for high school juniors looking to dive deep into advanced math, science, and technology topics, which will include exposure to cutting-edge fields like machine learning, robotics, and genomics. While robotics isn’t the sole focus of MITES, you'll gain a strong foundation in areas that are crucial for pursuing robotics, such as programming, engineering principles, and problem-solving strategies. In addition, you’ll have the chance to visit MIT’s labs and learn about innovations in robotics and other technologies, giving you a clear idea of what a career in these fields could look like. 

As a participant, you'll take one math course, one life sciences course, one physics course, and a humanities course. These classes are designed to challenge and expand your understanding of fundamental STEM concepts. In addition to core classes, you'll choose a project-based elective course. Past electives have included subjects like architecture, engineering design, machine learning, genomics, and electronics. 

Beyond academics, the program emphasizes teamwork, leadership, and communication, which are vital skills for anyone pursuing robotics. You’ll also have the opportunity to connect with mentors, including MIT students and professionals, who will offer insights into robotics and related fields. 

Location: MIT campus, Cambridge, MA

Program dates: June 15 – July 26 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)

Application deadline: Applications open in November and close on February 1, 2025. 

Eligibility: High school juniors who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents

3. Lumiere Breakthrough Scholar Program

The Lumiere Breakthrough Scholar Program allows ambitious high school students to dive deep into independent research in various fields, including robotics. Over 12 weeks, you will work closely with a world-class PhD mentor who specializes in robotics, guiding you through the entire process of developing a focused research project. In the first few weeks, you’ll explore various aspects of robotics, such as machine learning, artificial intelligence, and mechanical design, to narrow down your research topic. 

The program’s structure allows you to choose an area within robotics that aligns with your interests, whether it’s autonomous systems, robotics ethics, or innovative robotics applications. In this fully-funded program, you’ll have nine one-on-one sessions with your research mentor to refine your research concepts and receive guidance throughout your project. You will also have additional support from a writing coach to help you craft a detailed 15-page research paper. By the end of the 12 weeks, you’ll not only have gained in-depth knowledge of a cutting-edge area in robotics but also experience in conducting independent research — a key skill for anyone pursuing a career in STEM. 

The program culminates with the submission of your research paper and a chance to present your findings at the Lumiere Research Symposium, providing a platform to showcase your work and connect with other like-minded peers and professionals. 

Location: Virtual

Program dates: Varies depending on cohort: Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter sessions.

Application deadline: Applications for the Winter session will close on November 24, 2024.

Eligibility: High school seniors from across the globe who have demonstrated exceptional academic achievement despite financial hardships are invited to apply. 

4. Northeastern University’s Young Scholars Program

The Young Scholars Program (YSP) at Northeastern University engages high school students in hands-on research and exploration within the world of STEM, including robotics and engineering. This 6-week summer program immerses you in university research labs, where you might collaborate on advanced projects, such as developing algorithms and designing innovative robotics systems. The program is tailored to give you a practical, real-world understanding of engineering concepts —from programming and hardware design to system integration — all within the context of robotics alongside faculty and graduate students.

The program includes a special seminar series, "Introduction to Engineering," featuring presentations by professors and graduate students from various engineering disciplines. Topics covered include radar technology, lasers, and robotics applications in industry, offering a comprehensive understanding of how robotics fits into the broader engineering and technological landscapes.  YSP also organizes field trips to leading companies and research institutions, such as Biogen and MIT labs. These visits provide insight into real-world applications of robotics and engineering, allowing you to see professionals in action and understand the industry's landscape. 

Location: Northeastern University, Boston, MA 

Program dates: June 23 – July 31, 2025

Application deadline: Applications open in December 2024 and close on March 1, 2025.

Eligibility: Students entering 12th grade in the fall following the program, are permanent Massachusetts residents, and live within commuting distance of Northeastern University. Students from any school type — public, private, or homeschooled — are invited to apply.

5. MIT’s Beaver Works Summer Institute (BWSI)

MIT's Beaver Works Summer Institute (BWSI) is a prestigious and challenging program for high school students passionate about artificial intelligence and robotics. This 4-week program immerses you in advanced robotics and engineering topics, combining online coursework with hands-on projects. To qualify for the summer program, you need to complete online courses covering essential topics such as Python programming and the Robot Operating System (ROS). These courses ensure you have the foundational knowledge required for the intensive on-campus projects. 

Once on campus, you’ll dive into projects such as autonomous air vehicle racing and cognitive systems development, where you get to apply AI to create intelligent, problem-solving systems. These projects culminate in a competition that not only challenges your technical skills but also fosters teamwork and creativity in tackling complex robotics tasks.

The institute emphasizes collaboration and pushes you to think critically as you work through real-world robotics challenges alongside like-minded peers. Courses like "Autonomous Cognitive Assistance" (CogWorks) allow you to explore the potential of AI in robotics, developing skills that extend beyond the classroom. BWSI is free for qualifying families, making it a unique opportunity to get a head start in robotics and STEM without financial barriers for many students.

Location: MIT campus, Cambridge, MA (with some virtual courses)

Program dates: Tentatively July 2025, with specific dates announced closer to spring. Virtual courses are open for interested students until November.

Application deadline: Applications typically close in March.

Eligibility: High school students in grades 9-11 who are U.S. citizens can apply.

6. Northeastern University’s Modern Robotics Course

The Modern Robotics: Mechanics, Planning, and Control Specialization, offered by Northwestern University through Coursera, provides an in-depth exploration of the technical foundations of robotics. This course sequence is ideal for high school students with a background in engineering and an interest in robotics, as it covers essential areas such as kinematics, dynamics, motion planning, and control systems for both mobile robots and robotic arms. The specialization consists of six courses, each building upon the previous to develop a well-rounded understanding of robotics mechanics and control:

• Foundations of Robot Motion: Introduces the mathematical concepts of kinematics and dynamics, focusing on the movement of robots. 

• Robot Kinematics: Explores the geometry of robot motion, including forward and inverse kinematics. 

• Robot Dynamics: Covers the forces and torques that cause robot motion, emphasizing the principles of dynamics. 

• Robot Motion Planning: Focuses on algorithms for planning robot movements, ensuring efficient and collision-free paths. 

• Robot Control: Discusses methods for controlling robot motion, including feedback control systems. 

• Capstone Project: Allows you to apply the concepts learned by programming and simulating a complete robotic system.

Each course builds on the previous one, allowing you to develop a well-rounded understanding of robotics mechanics and control. Through multiple projects, you’ll gain practical experience by programming and simulating robotic systems in a high-quality cross-platform robot simulator, which provides a realistic introduction to programming industrial manipulators and mobile robots. As a self-paced online specialization, you can progress through the material at your own speed, making it ideal for high school students keen to advance their skills in robotics alongside other commitments. 

Location: Virtual

Program dates: Approximately 4 months, with a suggested pace of 3 hours per week

Application deadline: Open enrollment

Eligibility: Open to everyone with basic programming skills and an understanding of linear algebra 

7. University of Wisconsin-Madison Engineering Summer Program (ESP)

The University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Engineering Summer Program (ESP) is a free, 3-week residential program for high school juniors and seniors, designed to simulate a first-year engineering experience. You’ll explore key topics in robotics, mechanics, and electronics through hands-on workshops, tackling robotics tasks under the guidance of university faculty. The program emphasizes real-world problem-solving, allowing you to build foundational skills and apply engineering concepts directly in collaborative projects.

As a participant, you’ll engage in rigorous coursework covering mathematics, physics, chemistry, and engineering design. These classes are taught by UW–Madison faculty, offering a glimpse into college-level academics. These experiences, combined with project-based learning, offer insight into the STEM field while strengthening your technical and teamwork skills, preparing you for college and future careers in engineering. In addition, living on campus allows students to build connections with peers who share similar interests, fostering a supportive network that can extend beyond the program. 

Location: University of Wisconsin-Madison campus, Madison, WI 

Program dates: July 13 – August 2 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)

Application deadline: Applications typically close in May. 

Eligibility: Rising U.S. juniors and seniors with a minimum GPA of 3.0, who have completed at least a year of algebra, geometry, and chemistry. 

8. MIT Lincoln Laboratory Radar Introduction for Student Engineers (LLRISE)

The MIT Lincoln Laboratory Radar Introduction for Student Engineers (LLRISE) is a unique, free 2-week program designed to immerse rising high school seniors in the fundamentals of radar technology and engineering. As a participant, you'll dive into the process of building small radar systems, from understanding the foundational principles to constructing both Doppler and range radar. The program is intensely focused on practical learning, where you’ll use real engineering skills to assemble, test, and troubleshoot radar components, gaining a comprehensive understanding of how these systems detect motion and measure distances.

You'll have the opportunity to work alongside MIT scientists and engineers, gaining insights into advanced concepts such as signal processing, wave propagation, and system integration. LLRISE also offers a glimpse into the broader applications of radar technology within robotics and engineering. You will also explore MIT's state-of-the-art laboratories and facilities, providing a glimpse into the environment where research and innovation occur.

Location: MIT campus, Cambridge, MA, and Lincoln Laboratory, Lexington, MA

Program dates: July 14 – July 27 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)

Application deadline: Applications will open in January 2025.

Eligibility: Rising high school seniors who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents and have a strong interest in STEM 

9. Artificial Intelligence for Robotics on Udacity

Udacity’s Artificial Intelligence for Robotics course provides an in-depth exploration of how AI principles are applied to robotic systems, particularly in the context of autonomous vehicles. In this course, you’ll learn to program the core systems of a robotic car, covering crucial topics like planning, localization, search algorithms, and control. Guided by AI experts, the curriculum introduces you to techniques such as Kalman and particle filters, helping you understand how robots interpret and respond to their environments. 

You’ll work through hands-on exercises, including Python-based problem sets, to strengthen your skills in tracking and predicting movements, which are essential concepts in robotics navigation and control. One of the highlights of the course is the Runaway Robot project, where you’ll apply your knowledge to design and test algorithms that predict and track a robot’s movements. You’ll explore path-planning algorithms and get an introduction to SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping), which is pivotal for robotic navigation in unknown environments. By the end, you’ll have a solid understanding of how AI-powered robotics systems function and how concepts like PID control, discrete path planning, and localization are used to build autonomous vehicles. This course is self-paced, allowing you to deepen your knowledge of AI and robotics at your own speed, which makes it a great option for high school students seeking to advance their skills in robotics alongside other commitments.

Location: Virtual

Program dates: Self-paced

Application deadline: Open enrollment

Eligibility: Anyone interested in robotics can apply.

10. Robotics Foundations I - Robot Modeling by FedericaX on edX

The Robotics Foundations I - Robot Modeling course, offered by FedericaX on edX, dives into the fundamental principles of robotic modeling, with a focus on the kinematics and dynamics of robot manipulators. Designed for students interested in the engineering backbone of robotics, this course unpacks topics like kinematics, statics, and differential modeling through a systematic approach. You'll learn to analyze robot movement using methods like the Denavit-Hartenberg convention and homogeneous transformations, essential for understanding and controlling the motion of robot arms. 

Using mathematical models, the course introduces how to develop the equations that allow robots to navigate precise movements, a skill that’s highly relevant for anyone interested in robotics or automation.

The course is structured with a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical application, aimed to provide a solid foundation in robotics modeling. It includes video lectures, supplementary study materials, and assessments to reinforce learning.  By working through real-world applications, you’ll gain insight into both the Lagrange and Newton-Euler approaches to dynamic modeling, which help in designing simulations and control systems for robotic motion.

Location: Virtual

Program dates: Self-paced

Application deadline: Open enrollment

Eligibility: Anyone interested in robotics can apply.

If you’re looking to build a project/research paper in the field of AI & ML, consider applying to Veritas AI! 

Veritas AI is founded by Harvard graduate students. Through the programs, you get a chance to work 1:1 with mentors from universities like Harvard, Stanford, MIT, and more to create unique, personalized projects. In the past year, we had over 1000 students learn AI & ML with us. You can apply here!

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