Top 12 Robotics Summer Internships for High School Students
Are you a high school student eager to explore the field of robotics in summer? Summer internships provide an excellent opportunity to develop practical skills, gain industry exposure, and build valuable professional connections. These robotics internships offer hands-on experience, allowing you to work on real-world projects and learn from experts in the field.
Many of these programs not only enhance technical proficiency but also provide exposure to real-world applications and networking opportunities. However, finding the right internship can be challenging, particularly without a clear starting point. To assist you in this process, check our list of the top 12 robotics summer internships for high school students.
1. Veritas AI Internship
Location: Virtual.
Dates: Multiple 8-week cohorts throughout the year, including Summer.
Application Deadline: May.
Eligibility: High school students who have prior experience with AI/ML or have completed a Veritas AI program are eligible to apply.
Cost: $2,490.
The AI Internship Program by Veritas AI is founded and run by Harvard graduate students. Through the 8-week internship, you will have the opportunity to work with VC-backed startups on real-world AI/ML projects. Students work directly with mentors from Harvard, Wharton, Google, Microsoft, McKinsey & Company, and more. This program is a great opportunity for students with prior experience in AI/ML who are looking to gain real-world exposure to a career in the field. You will get the chance to network with industry professionals, work closely with company leadership, and receive a letter of completion from the company at the end of the internship. You can apply here.
2. MIT - Beaver Works Summer Institute
Location: Virtual or in-person at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA.
Dates: July 7 – August 3.
Application Deadline: March 31.
Eligibility: High school juniors are eligible to apply.
Cost: For any family that has a family income $150,000 or greater, the fee for the program is $2,350. The program is free for qualifying families.
The MIT Beaver Works Summer Institute offers an in-depth robotics experience led by MIT faculty and students. This four-week STEM program, hosted by the MIT Lincoln Laboratory and MIT’s School of Engineering, enables you to design, build, and program autonomous robots through a combination of lectures, laboratory sessions, and hands-on projects. The curriculum covers advanced topics such as sensor technology and AI algorithms, which are essential in modern robotics. Courses such as Remote Sensing for Disaster Response and Unmanned Air System–Synthetic Aperture Radar equip you with valuable skills, enhancing your college applications and future career prospects.
3. Ladder Internships - Robotics Track
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Summer.
Application deadline: May.
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks are eligible to apply. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students!
Cost: Starting at $2,490. Financial aid is available.
Ladder Internships is a selective start-up internship program for ambitious high school students! In the program, you work with a high-growth start-up on an internship. Start-ups that offer internships range across various industries, from robotics, tech/deep tech and AI/ML to health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more. You can explore all the options on their application form. Ladder’s start-ups are high-growth companies, raising over a million dollars on average. In the program, interns work closely with their managers and a Ladder Coach on real-world projects and present their work to the company. The virtual internship is usually 8 weeks long.
4. NASA - Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) Internship Programs
Location: In-person at any NASA center or virtual, depending on the project.
Dates: Dates vary depending on the internship.
Application Deadline: April.
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years old, have a 3.0 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale, and are U.S. citizens are eligible to apply.
Stipend: Interns receive a stipend award, which is based on academic level and session duration.
NASA’s OSTEM Internship Program immerses high school students in the fields of space exploration and robotics. You will collaborate with NASA engineers and scientists on projects that range from designing components for NASA machinery to testing innovative robotic systems. These internships are available at various NASA facilities across the U.S., as well as through virtual options. This summer internship program provides high school students with technical skills in programming, mechanical design, and systems engineering.
5. The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) - Coding and Robotics Internship
Location: The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research, Danville, VA.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: The acceptance rate for this program is not publicly available
Dates: June 2 / June 9 – July 31.
Application Deadline: March 28.
Eligibility: High school graduates are eligible to apply.
Stipend: $3,360.
The IALR Summer Internship Program is an eight-week initiative designed for high school graduates entering college. The program provides hands-on experience in designing and testing robotic systems while developing coding and mechanical design skills. Activities include, coding in python, data analytics, part design and fabrication, including 3D printing, and performing experiments. You will also gain exposure to leadership-building experiences in fields such as human resources, AgTech research, and information technology.
6. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) - Summer High School Intern Program Research
Location: Boulder, CO or Gaithersburg, MD.
Dates: June 16 – August 8.
Application Deadline: January.
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors with a minimum GPA of 3.0 are eligible to apply.
Cost: Free!
The NIST Summer High School Intern Program (SHIP) offers students research opportunities in robotics, engineering, and computer science. You will work alongside NIST researchers on cutting-edge technology, gaining experience in experimental design and data analysis. Students interested in robotics should consider the Information Technology Laboratory or the Engineering Laboratory, which focus on areas such as human-computer interaction, networking, software engineering, and intelligent manufacturing. Research activities include computer network modeling, data mining, and machine learning.
7. Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) - Robotics Track
Location: NAVFAC, Port Hueneme, CA; NAWCAD, Patuxent River, MD; NAWCAD, Lakehurst, NJ; or NAWCTSD, Orlando, FL.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; only 300 participants across 38 labs.
Dates: The internship typically runs for 8 weeks in the summer with a possible extension of two weeks.
Application Deadline: November 1.
Eligibility: High school students who have completed at least grade 9 and are 16 years old at the start of the internship are eligible to apply.
Stipend: New participant: $4,000 | Returning participant: $4,500.
The Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) places high school students in Department of the Navy laboratories for hands-on research. This eight-week program enables you to work on projects in robotics, physics, and material science alongside leading scientists and engineers. You also develop expertise in mathematics, aerodynamics, electronics, and related fields. Admission to this highly competitive program is limited, with only 300 placements across 38 U.S. laboratories, ensuring a rigorous and intellectually stimulating environment.
8. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Robotics and Autonomous Systems Camp
Location: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, FL.
Dates: July 20 - July 25.
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines.
Eligibility: High school students aged 15–18 years are eligible to apply.
Cost: $1030.
The Embry-Riddle Robotics and Autonomous Systems Camp provides an immersive one-week robotics engineering experience. You will design and test autonomous robots under the guidance of faculty, while also learning key mechanical and electrical engineering concepts. You will work in teams, fostering collaboration and problem-solving skills. The program culminates in project presentations and competitive challenges, making it an engaging option for robotics enthusiasts.
9. Evodyne Robotics Internship Program
Location: Evodyne Robotics Academy, Mountain View, CA.
Dates: June - July.
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines.
Eligibility: Current high school juniors who are at least 16 years old, have completed the Genesis Track program and available on Saturday afternoons are eligible to apply. Applicants must have strong proficiency in at least one of the following skills CAD modeling (Fusion 360), Advanced Python programming (beyond basic classes), Soldering and electronics, Web development (HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and PHP), or AI/Deep learning toolkits.
Cost/Stipend: Not available.
The Evodyne Robotics Internship Program offers high school students a hands-on opportunity to enhance existing robotic systems and design new ones for research and educational applications. You will engage in advanced robotics projects involving AI-enabled systems, quadruped robots, and robotic arms. The program also provides training in CAD modeling (Fusion 360), Python programming, electronics, and AI toolkits. Additionally, it includes coursework in 3D printing and design, making it well-suited for students interested in building and prototyping robotics systems.
10. Yale University - Social Robotics Lab Internship
Location: Yale University, New Haven, CT.
Dates: The internship typically runs for 6 weeks in the summer.
Application Deadline: March 31.
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors with an interest in robotics or human social behavior are eligible to apply.
Stipend: Unpaid.
The Yale Social Robotics Lab Internship is a six-week summer program focused on social robotics research. This program is ideal for students interested in the intersection of human social behavior and robotics. You will collaborate with researchers, students, and faculty to explore how robots interact with humans in social contexts. You will also gain hands-on experience in robotics programming, design, and behavioral analysis, making this program a unique opportunity for those interested in human-robot interaction.
11. Tufts University - Engineering Design Lab (EDL)
Location: Tufts University, Medford, MA.
Dates: Session 1: July 8 – 18 | Session 2: July 20 – August 1.
Application Deadline: May 1.
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 10-12 are eligible to apply.
Cost: Commuter: $4,225 | Residential: $5,750. Materials fee: $200. Limited need-based scholarships are available.
The Tufts Engineering Design Lab (EDL) is a two-week summer program that introduces high school students to engineering, robotics, and computational concepts through hands-on projects. You will engage in real-world challenges, developing prototyping and problem-solving skills using advanced tools such as 3D printing. Additionally, industry and academic experts deliver guest lectures on research and development topics, making this program ideal for students passionate about robotics design and innovation.
12. Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP) - Robotics Track High School Internships
Location: In-person at the U.S. Army Research Laboratories, Centers, or partner universities.
Dates: Dates vary depending on the location.
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines.
Eligibility: High school students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents are eligible to apply. Age and coursework prerequisites vary by location.
Stipend: Varies by internship length and location.
The AEOP High School Internships provide high school students with opportunities to conduct advanced research in the U.S. Army Research Laboratories, Centers, or partner universities, in robotics, science, and engineering tracks. You will work one-on-one with Department of Defense (DoD) scientists or university researchers, utilizing state-of-the-art equipment and cutting-edge laboratory techniques.
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