If you’re curious about how robots actually work, a robotics camp is the perfect place to start. These programs let you design, build, and program robots while applying concepts from engineering, coding, and math in creative ways.
Why pick a robotics camp over a summer program?
While summer programs often focus on academic coursework and research, camps are usually more hands-on and collaborative. Camps are shorter, fast-paced, and focused on experimentation. You get the chance to collaborate with other students, take part in challenges, and see ideas come to life through real prototypes and competitions.
Joining a robotics camp doesn’t just sharpen your technical skills but can also give your college applications a boost. You gain practical exposure, show initiative, and have tangible projects to include in your portfolio.
To help you find your next challenge, we’ve created a list of 14 robotics camps for high schoolers.
14 Robotics Camps for High School Students
1. MIT Beaver Works Summer Institute
Location: Cambridge, MA\
Cost: Free for eligible U.S. high school students
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; exact numbers unavailable
Dates: July (Summer Institute); online courses open February 3
Application Deadline: Varies by program
Eligibility: U.S. high school students in grades 9–11; must reside in the U.S. during the program
The Beaver Works Summer Institute at MIT is a project-based program where you explore engineering, robotics, autonomy, cybersecurity, biotechnology, and advanced programming. You work on hands-on projects individually or in teams, such as building autonomous underwater vehicles, developing CubeSats, designing laser communication systems, or prototyping synthetic biology devices. The program includes courses like Flight Vehicle Development, Fluidics for Synthetic Biology, Hands-On Holography, and Engineering Systems Design, with some courses offering college credit or IAP extensions.
2. MIT Introduction to Technology, Engineering, and Science (MITES)
Location: MIT Campus, Cambridge, Massachusetts
Cost: Free of charge; students only pay for transportation to and from MIT
Dates: Late June – Early August, 6-week program
Application Deadline: Fall semester of junior year (specific date varies)
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents; high school juniors; underrepresented or underserved backgrounds encouraged
MITES Summer is a six-week, on-campus program at MIT for high school juniors interested in STEM and humanities. You take five courses that include math, physics, life sciences, a humanities elective, and a project-based class in areas such as machine learning, genomics, engineering design, or architecture. The program combines coursework with hands-on projects, lab visits, and exposure to real-world STEM applications.
3. Education Unlimited’s Robotics Summer Camp for High School Students
Location: Stanford University, California
Cost: $3,025 – $3,560
Dates: Likely to be between June 23rd and 29th
Application Deadline: Varies by program
Eligibility: Rising 9th–12th graders
Education Unlimited’s Robotics Summer Camp for High School Students lets you design, build, and program your own robot from start to finish. Using the VEX5 robotics platform, you learn how to build stable chassis structures, set up drive systems, and integrate motors, gears, and sensors to complete terrain-based challenges. You also explore electrical circuits, power systems, and radio controllers while applying design thinking to improve your robot’s performance. The week ends with a robotics competition where you test your design and problem-solving skills. The program offers both extended-day and residential options, giving you a hands-on way to explore engineering and robotics in a team environment.
4. Columbia University’s Summer High School Academic Program for Engineers (SHAPE)
Location: New York, New York
Cost: $5,880 (commuter); $10,705 (residential)
Dates: Session I: July 6–24; Session II: July 27–August 14
Application Deadline: March 3
Eligibility: Rising 10th–12th graders and recent high school graduates (residential option for ages 16+)
Columbia Engineering’s SHAPE program is a three-week pre-college experience that introduces you to robotics, computer science, electrical engineering, and design innovation. You attend lectures and workshops led by Columbia faculty and industry professionals while working on project-based learning in modern labs and makerspaces. The program focuses on technical problem-solving, teamwork, and design thinking, helping you apply creative approaches to engineering challenges. You also visit companies and meet professionals to understand how engineering concepts are used in real-world settings.
5. Tufts Engineering Design Lab
Location: Tufts University, Medford/Somerville Campus, Massachusetts
Cost: Residential – $5,950; Commuter – $4,425; limited need-based scholarships available
Dates: Session 1: Jul 5–17; Session 2: Jul 19–31
Application Deadline: Dec 1– May 1
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 10–12
Tufts University’s Engineering Design Lab (EDL) is a two-week summer program where you explore engineering, fabrication, robotics, and computation through practical projects. You gain experience in rapid prototyping and client-focused design while using tools like laser cutters, 3D printers, and robotics platforms such as Raspberry Pi and GoPiGo3. The program focuses on applying engineering and design principles to real-world problems and includes guest lectures from Tufts faculty and industry professionals. You also learn Python programming through Jupyter Notebooks and are encouraged to continue exploring ideas and technologies beyond the classroom.
6. University of Wisconsin-Madison Engineering Summer Program
Location: Madison, WI
Cost: Free (includes housing, meals, and program materials)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: Varies by program
Application Deadline: Varies by program
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents; current high school sophomores or juniors; minimum 3.0 GPA; must have completed Algebra and Geometry
The Engineering Summer Program at UW–Madison is a three-week residential experience where you learn through design workshops, lab work, and mentorship from faculty. Run by the College of Engineering and supported by the Grainger Design Innovation Lab, the program helps you explore subjects like math, physics, chemistry, and engineering design through practical projects. You work on robotics, coding, and mechanical systems, using the lab’s fabrication tools to prototype and test designs. The program also lets you connect robotics with electrical, mechanical, and computer engineering, giving you an early start in interdisciplinary engineering problem-solving.
7. Worcester Polytechnic Institute Frontiers
Location: Worcester, Massachusetts
Cost: $4,495 per session
Dates: Session I: July 5–17; Session II: July 19–31
Application Deadline: April 30
Eligibility: Rising 10th–12th graders
Worcester Polytechnic Institute’s Frontiers program gives you a chance to explore STEM fields while also studying subjects in the humanities, arts, or business. Over two weeks, you live on campus, take classes taught by WPI faculty, and work with students from around the world on hands-on projects. The program focuses on critical thinking, interdisciplinary learning, and real-world problem-solving in areas such as engineering, robotics, and technology. You also take part in labs, workshops, social activities, and college-prep sessions that help you experience campus life.
8. UT Austin Academy for Robotics
Location: University of Texas at Austin, Texas
Cost: $2,100
Dates: Session 1: June 15–20; Session 2: June 22–27
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: Students entering grades 10–12
The UT Austin Academy for Robotics is a one-week summer program where you explore robotics and coding through hands-on learning. You assemble and program the Bot’n Roll One A robot while working with C++, Linux, and Arduino. Guided by UT professors and industry mentors, you learn how to use sensors, motors, and PID control systems while testing your work through real robotics tools and simulations. The week includes mentorship sessions, campus exploration, and a final robot race that puts your creativity and problem-solving to the test. By the end, you gain a strong understanding of robotics fundamentals and teamwork in a college-level setting.
9. Summer Program in Automation, Robotics, and Coding (SPARC)
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost: $3,300
Dates: Not specified
Application Deadline: Varies by program
Eligibility: Rising 9th–12th-grade students, 15+ years old; U.S. and international students
SPARC is a two-week, full-day summer program where you explore robotics, mechatronics, and programming through hands-on work. You use microcontrollers, sensors, and actuators to design and program interactive robotic devices while building skills in coding, electrical systems, and mechanical engineering. The program focuses on project-based learning through robot competitions and real-world challenges, giving you the chance to design, build, and test your creations in a team setting. Mentors guide you through circuit design, programming logic, and automation.
10. Camp Integem: AI & AR Coding, AI Space Drones, 3D Game Design & Animation
Location: 16 Locations across California
Cost: Not specified
Dates: Varies by Sessions (1-3 weeks)
Application Deadline: Varies by program
Eligibility: Ages 10–14 (Open to all skill levels)
Camp Integem’s Robotics Engineering and AR Coding Camp lets you combine robotics with holographic augmented reality to design and program interactive machines. You learn Python, robotics mechanics, motor controls, and AR-based interfaces while working with the Mecha Armed smart robot powered by Raspberry Pi Pico. You explore sensors, motion systems, and omnidirectional tires and program your robot to move and respond in immersive AR environments. Each session focuses on problem-solving, design thinking, and interactive storytelling, giving you a hands-on way to create robotic applications that connect coding with creative design.
11. iD Tech Camps | Held at Loyola University
Location: Loyola University, Chicago, IL
Cost: Starting at $1,099 (Payment plan available)
Dates: Summer Sessions (1 week)
Application Deadline: Varies by program
Eligibility: Ages 7–17 (Beginner to Advanced skill levels)
At iD Tech’s Chicago STEM Summer Camps, students experience hands-on learning in coding, game development, robotics, and 3D printing while exploring college life at Loyola University. Guided by instructors from top universities like Stanford and NYU, you will build apps, design games, and program AI bots in next-gen labs filled with creative energy. Each day balances structured STEM sessions with fun outdoor activities such as ultimate frisbee, capture the flag, and gaming tournaments.
12. iD Tech Camps | Held at Rice
Location: Houston, TX
Cost: Starting at $1,179 (payment plans available)
Dates: Registration opens in November
Application Deadline: Varies by program
Eligibility: Ages 7–17; beginner to advanced skill levels
iD Tech Camps at Rice University is a one-week program where you explore coding, robotics, game design, 3D printing, and digital arts through hands-on workshops led by instructors from top universities. You balance project-based learning with outdoor activities, team-building, and community events, experiencing both academic challenges and summer fun. The program gives you a chance to live on Rice’s campus and build real-world tech projects, such as AI models, video games, or autonomous robots. Through mentorship and collaboration, you develop skills and confidence that help you explore future opportunities in STEM.
13. iD Tech Camps | Held in the Boston Area
Location: Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: Weeklong day camps start at $1,525; two-week overnight academy starts at $5,199 (payment plans available)
Dates: Registration opens in November
Application Deadline: Varies by program
Eligibility: Ages 7–17; beginner to advanced skill levels
iD Tech Camps at MIT let you explore coding, game development, robotics, AI, and digital arts while living on a top-tier university campus. In the weeklong day camps, you work on hands-on STEM projects and take part in outdoor activities like ultimate frisbee, capture the flag, and gaming tournaments. The two-week overnight academy gives you a deeper experience with intensive projects, visits to places like the MIT Media Lab and Google offices, and opportunities to connect with industry professionals. Guided by instructors from top universities, you build portfolios, collaborate with peers, and develop creative problem-solving skills while experiencing college life and STEM innovation firsthand.
14. Playto Labs Summer Robotics Camp
Location: Online (Interactive 1:1 classes)
Cost: $800
Acceptance rate/cohort size: personalized 1:1 attention
Program Dates: Summer
Application Deadline: Varies as per program
Eligibility: Ages 8–16, beginner to advanced levels
Playto Robotics Summer Camp gives you hands-on, project-based experience in robotics, coding, design, and problem-solving. You are placed in a track based on your age and skill level—Starter (8–10), Explorer (11–13), or Champion (14–16)—to build technical skills and critical thinking. You receive a robotics kit at home and take live 1:1 classes with instructors from institutions like Harvard, IITs, NITs, and companies like Amazon, Intel, and Microsoft. In addition to building robots, you participate in global competitions, develop 21st-century skills, and earn a certificate of completion. The camp focuses on creativity, collaboration, and scientific exploration, giving you a productive summer while growing your interest in STEM.
One more option – Horizon Academic Research Program
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like robotics, artificial intelligence, computer science, and engineering, consider applying to Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs! This is a selective virtual research program that lets you engage in advanced research and develop a research paper on a topic of your choosing. Horizon has worked with 1000+ high school students so far and offers 600+ research specializations for you to choose from. You can find the application link here!
Image source – Tufts University