Robotics sits at the intersection of engineering, computer science, artificial intelligence, and automation. Modern robots are used in manufacturing, healthcare, transportation, logistics, and research, making robotics one of the fastest-growing technical fields for students interested in STEM. As a high school student, participating in robotics programs can help you explore how robots sense their environments, process information, and perform tasks autonomously. These programs typically combine classroom instruction with hands-on engineering projects, allowing you to work directly with hardware, software, and robotics systems.
Most robotics programs for high school students introduce you to foundational concepts such as electronics, programming, sensors, actuators, control systems, and mechanical design. Depending on the program, you may work with Arduino boards, microcontrollers, CAD software, machine learning models, computer vision tools, or robotic simulation platforms. Some programs focus on building physical robots from scratch, while others explore autonomous vehicles, humanoid robotics, AI-enabled systems, or robotics research. Many also incorporate engineering design challenges that require testing, iteration, and problem-solving.
Why should you choose a program in NYC?
New York City offers access to one of the strongest STEM ecosystems in the country. Universities such as New York University, Columbia University, and The City College of New York regularly host robotics, engineering, and computer science programs for high school students. The region also provides proximity to research laboratories, startup ecosystems, technology companies, and maker spaces where robotics and automation technologies are actively developed. Because of this concentration of academic and technical resources, robotics programs for high school students in NYC often provide opportunities to learn from university faculty, researchers, and industry professionals while gaining exposure to cutting-edge technologies.
Below is a curated list of 15 robotics programs for high school students in NYC. For additional STEM opportunities, you can also check out our blogs on mechanical engineering programs for high school students here and electrical engineering programs for high school students here.
Key Takeaways
- NYC’s robotics programs span major universities including NYU, Columbia, Stony Brook, CCNY, and Cooper Union, giving high school students access to faculty mentorship, research labs, and hands-on engineering work across the city’s strong STEM ecosystem
- Several programs are free, including Columbia’s Hk Maker Lab, NYU’s ARISE and ieSoSC programs, and CCNY’s STEM Institute, with stipends offered in some cases, making robotics research accessible regardless of cost
- Programs vary considerably in depth and focus, from foundational hardware-building experiences like Hofstra’s Robotics Camp to advanced AI-enabled robotics work like Stony Brook’s Robotics with AI and NYU’s mBODY humanoid robotics program
- Tools and technologies covered across this list include Arduino, Python, computer vision, neural networks, NVIDIA Isaac Sim, and LEGO Mindstorms, reflecting the range of entry points available from beginner to advanced
- For students who want to go further than a single summer program, Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs offers a longer, mentored research path for developing original research in robotics or a related technical field
15 Robotics Programs for High School Students in NYC
1. NYU’s Summer Program in Automation, Robotics, and Coding (SPARC)
Location: New York University, New York, NY
Cost: $3,300 program fee | $638 housing fee | $398 meal plan fee
Program dates: Two weeks during the summer months | Exact dates to be announced
Application deadline: To be announced
Eligibility: Students in grades 9 – 12, as well as graduating seniors, who are at least 15 years of age | International students can apply as well | Prerequisites include some math topics like AP math, trigonometry, and algebra 2
NYU’s Summer Program for Automation, Robotics, and Coding is a two-week summer program that dives into robotics, mechatronics, and programming. The program has a strong focus on hands-on robotics work, during which you will build and program a robot. In the process, you will learn how to use microcontrollers, interface with sensors and actuators, work with electrical circuits, automation systems, breadboards, and Arduino. You will also learn about coding constructs like variables, conditionals, loops, and binary code. The program ends with a robot competition where you can put your work to the test.
2. Columbia University’s Hk Maker Lab
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY
Cost: Free | Travel and lunch stipends are provided after the completion of the program
Program dates: July 6–August 7
Application deadline: Typically in January
Eligibility: Current 10th and 11th graders who attend a NYC public or charter school and can demonstrate educational or economic disadvantage
The Hk Maker Lab is a free, 5-week program that combines Columbia’s 3-week SHAPE program with a 2-week hackathon. During SHAPE, you will attend college-level engineering courses, which include two options for robotics courses: “Robotics and Autonomous Driving” and “Moving Forward: Walking Robots”. These courses offer hands-on experiences such as building a robotic car or a quadrupedal robot. This is followed by a hackathon in which you and your group will develop a piece of digital media addressing a healthcare concern.
3. NYU’s Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering (ARISE)
Location: New York University, New York, NY
Cost | Stipend: Free | $2,000
Program dates: June 1–August 14
Application deadline: February 27
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors who are residents of New York
NYU’s Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering program is a prestigious 10-week program that focuses on hands-on research experience in STEM fields. As a participant, you will get the chance to work in one of NYU’s research labs and assist faculty on a real-world project. There are several labs available, including the mechatronics lab, the machines-in-motion lab, and the systems and AI lab. All of these involve elements of robotics such as motion planning, embedded systems, autonomous devices, sensors, and actuators. You present your research at Colloquium and conclude the program by showcasing your work at the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) Poster Symposium.
4. Stony Brook University’s Robotics Engineering
Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
Cost: Residential: $2,375 (1 week); $4,250 (2 weeks); $6,125 (3 weeks); $8,000 (4 weeks) | Commuter: $1,000 (core day); $1,250 (extended day) | Discounts and financial assistance available
Program dates: Session 1: June 28–July 3 | Session 2: July 5–10 | Session 3: July 12–17 | Session 4: July 19–24
Application deadline: June 1
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors who are US residents and between the ages of 15 and 17
Stony Brook University’s Robotics Engineering is a weeklong program that dives into the foundational concepts of robotics, with a strong focus on electrical and mechanical design and microcontroller programming. During the program, you will design single- and multi-degree-of-freedom walking and rolling robots, learning how to design robot motions, prototype them, and integrate them into autonomous systems. You will learn about topics such as electronic circuits, linkage mechanisms, sensing and actuation, Arduino programming, DC motors, and remote control. You will also learn how to use a Bluetooth mobile app to control robot behavior.
5. Stony Brook University’s Robotics with AI
Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
Cost: Residential: $2,375 (1 week); $4,250 (2 weeks); $6,125 (3 weeks); $8,000 (4 weeks) | Commuter: $1,000 (core day); $1,250 (extended day) | Discounts and financial assistance available
Program dates: Session 1: June 28–July 3 | Session 2: July 5–10 | Session 3: July 12–17 | Session 4: July 19–24
Application deadline: June 1
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors who are US residents and between the ages of 15 and 17
Stony Brook University’s Robotics with AI is a more advanced course than Robotics with Engineering, as it goes beyond the basics of the field and explores how to build AI-enabled robots. You will build a robot from scratch, going through all the various stages, such as assembling the hardware, setting up the Linux environment, integrating a camera, and implementing neural networks. This is a hands-on experience through which you will learn about computer vision, deep learning, advanced mechatronics, Python, and C++. By the end of the program, you will have created a robot that can perceive and interact with its environment.
6. NYU’s mBODY: Embodied Intelligence for Humanoid Robotics
Location: New York University, New York, NY
Cost: $6,260 tuition fee | $654 for housing | $229 for meals
Program dates: June 29–July 24
Application deadline: April 17
Eligibility: Students in grades 9-12 | International students can apply
NYU’s mBODY: Embodied Intelligence for Humanoid Robotics is a four-week program that explores robotic design and applications, with a focus on humanoid development. The curriculum dives into topics like computer vision, perception, reinforcement learning, iterative design, and prototyping. Along with lectures and group projects, you will also have the opportunity to design and develop a functional prototype that addresses a specific real-world engineering challenge in humanoid development. In the process, you will use tools like NVIDIA Isaac Sim and MuJoCo.
7. NYU’s Machine Learning Program
Location: New York University, New York, NY
Cost: $3,180 tuition fee | $654 for housing | $229 for meals
Program dates: Session 1: June 15–27 | Session 2: July 6–17 | Session 3: July 20–31
Application deadline: April 17 for Session 1 | May 1 for Sessions 2 and 3 | Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis
Eligibility: Students in grades 9-12 | International students can apply | Precalculus and programming experience are required
NYU’s Machine Learning program is a 2-week summer program that explores machine learning and artificial intelligence. Through the program, you will learn the basics of machine learning, including model validation, neural networks, and real-world applications. You will explore applications such as image recognition, interactive voice controls, and autonomous vehicles, thereby connecting the field with robotics. The curriculum also touches on fields such as computer science, data analysis, mathematical techniques, and logic.
8. Manhattan University’s Mechanical Engineering Summer Institute
Location: Manhattan, Riverdale, NY
Cost: $500 per week
Program dates: July 6–August 13
Application deadline: May 16 | Enrollment is limited and filled on a first-come, first-served basis
Eligibility: All high school students
The Mechanical Engineering Summer Institute gives high school students the chance to explore mechanical engineering under the guidance of university faculty. The program offers an introduction to the field by diving into a different area each week. In this manner, the program covers artificial intelligence, aerospace engineering, biomechanics, game design, and robotics. You can sign up for one or multiple weeks, based on your interests. You can expect a combination of hands-on workshops, lectures, lab tours, design challenges, and friendly competitions.
9. Cooper Union’s Summer STEM Program: Arduino & ESP32 Innovation Lab
Location: Cooper Union College, New York, NY
Cost: $5,150 | Financial aid available
Program dates: July 6–August 13
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students who have completed their 9th, 10th, and 11th grades
Cooper Union’s Summer STEM Program gives high school students the chance to attend college-level engineering and computer science courses. One of the available courses is “Arduino & ESP32 Innovation Lab: From Circuits to Smart Devices,” through which you will learn the fundamentals of embedded systems, electronics, and product design. You will start with rapid prototyping on the Arduino Uno, then move on to the ESP32. In the process, you will gain experience with sensors, actuators, wireless technologies, IoT devices, CAD, and 3D printing. In the end, you and your teammate will develop an original hardware-software system that addresses a specific issue.
10. Hofstra University’s Robotics Camp
Location: Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY
Cost: $2,400 per session
Program dates: Programs for grades 6-10 run during Session 2 | Session 2: July 13–24 | Session 3: July 27–August 7
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students in grades 6–10
Hofstra University’s Robotics Camp allows high school students to learn how to build robots that can move, react, and think. As a participant, you will design, build, and program robots, then test them in challenges such as races, battles, and obstacle courses. You will learn about sensors, motors, coding, and how to use tools like LEGO Mindstorms and Sphero robotics technology. Alongside this, you will attend extracurricular events such as swimming sessions and recreational sports.
11. New York Institute of Technology’s High School Summer Maker Academy
Location: Session 1 takes place at New York Tech’s Long Island campus, while Session 2 takes place at the New York City campus
Cost: $250
Program dates: Session 1: July 6–10 | Session 2: July 27–31
Application deadline: June 1
Eligibility: High school students aged 14–18
New York Institute of Technology’s High School Summer Maker Academy is designed to expand high school students’ knowledge of technology and to explore how climate change challenges can be addressed. Students interested in robotics can opt for the first track of the program, titled Disaster Response Vehicle Program. This track focuses on creating an autonomous Bluetooth-operated rescue car, a prototype for a vehicle that can be used to transport people to safety during a disaster. Through this process, you will learn about VR navigation, Arduino programming, soldering, PCB design, laser cutting, 3-D printing, and more.
12. CCNY’s STEM Institute
Location: City College of New York, New York, NY
Cost: Free
Program dates: July 6–August 7
Application deadline: May 31
Eligibility: Students in grades 9-12
The City College of New York’s STEM Institute is designed to encourage young students to pursue STEM careers. For the program’s summer track, you and your peers will be tasked with STEAMworks, a design challenge to reimagine a pedestrian plaza as a more effective public space. You will draw on various disciplines to improve the plaza’s navigation, accessibility, flow, and safety. For this, you will attend courses on app design, philosophy, calculus, physics, English, rocketry, and robotics. The robotics course will introduce you to the basics of the field, including coding, electronics, s sensors, actuators, and automated systems.
13. NYU’s Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and the Science of Smart Cities (ieSoSC)
Location: New York University, New York, NY
Cost: Free
Program dates: July 6–August 7
Application deadline: May 15
Eligibility: Students in grades 9-12 who are NYC residents
New York University’s Innovation, Entrepreneurship and the Science of Smart Cities is a 5-week summer program during which high school students learn what it takes to build smart cities. This is a multidisciplinary program that dives into technology, entrepreneurship, and science. So, while building skills in business and economics, you will also gain practical experience with electronics fundamentals as you prototype an idea/service. This involves hands-on work with coding, microcontrollers, circuit deployment, and sensor integration, all of which are key elements in robotics as well.
14. Kode With Klossy’s Summer Camps
Location: New York, NY (specific locations will be communicated later)
Cost: Free
Program dates: August 3–14
Application deadline: March 31
Eligibility: Women and gender expansive teens between the ages of 13 and 18
Kode With Klossy’s flagship summer program is a free, two-week camp that dives into computer science and coding. There are three different tracks available, and students interested in robotics can opt for the one on artificial intelligence. The track covers foundational concepts of AI and machine learning, such as algorithms, datasets, Python, and natural language processing. While the curriculum does not explore robotics directly, these topics are key to the field and can provide a strong foundation for you to dive into robotics.
15. Stevens Institute of Technology’s Artificial Intelligence in Modern Society
Location: Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, NJ
Cost: $3,350 | Financial aid is available
Program dates: July 12–18
Application deadline: March 16 (priority deadline) | June 15 (final deadline) | June 1 (final deadline for international students)
Eligibility: All high school students
“Artificial Intelligence in Modern Society” is a summer residential program at Stevens Institute of Technology that provides high school students with an introductory exploration of artificial intelligence. During the program, you will learn about neural networks, forward and back propagation schemes, data training, and software that can be used to develop and train models. You will also explore the history of AI and the policies that can be used to manage AI’s public and commercial use. While this is not a robotics program, a strong base in AI can boost your understanding of robotics in the future.
FAQ
What robotics programs are available for high school students in NYC?
NYC offers robotics programs at NYU (SPARC, ARISE, mBODY, Machine Learning Program, ieSoSC), Columbia (Hk Maker Lab), Stony Brook University, CCNY’s STEM Institute, Cooper Union, Manhattan University, Hofstra University, New York Institute of Technology, and Kode With Klossy. Stevens Institute of Technology in nearby Hoboken also offers an AI-focused program relevant to robotics.
Do I need prior coding or engineering experience to apply to these programs?
It depends on the program. Hofstra’s Robotics Camp and CCNY’s STEM Institute introduce foundational concepts and are accessible to students without prior experience. More advanced programs like NYU’s Machine Learning Program require precalculus and programming experience, and Stony Brook’s Robotics with AI assumes comfort with hardware assembly before building toward computer vision and neural networks.
Are there free robotics programs for high school students in NYC?
Yes. Columbia’s Hk Maker Lab is free and provides travel and lunch stipends. NYU’s ARISE program is free and provides a $2,000 stipend. CCNY’s STEM Institute and NYU’s ieSoSC program are both free. Kode With Klossy’s summer camps are also free, though the AI track covers foundational machine learning concepts rather than robotics directly.
Which NYC robotics programs focus on advanced or research-level work?
NYU’s ARISE program places you in an actual NYU research lab, such as the mechatronics lab or systems and AI lab, working on real robotics research alongside faculty. NYU’s mBODY program focuses specifically on humanoid robotics using tools like NVIDIA Isaac Sim and MuJoCo. Stony Brook’s Robotics with AI has you build a robot capable of perceiving and interacting with its environment using deep learning and computer vision.
Which programs are best for beginners interested in robotics?
Hofstra University’s Robotics Camp uses accessible tools like LEGO Mindstorms and Sphero, making it a strong entry point for students newer to the field. CCNY’s STEM Institute introduces robotics basics alongside other disciplines through its STEAMworks design challenge. Manhattan University’s Mechanical Engineering Summer Institute lets you sample robotics for just one week without committing to a longer, more intensive program.
Are there robotics programs in NYC specifically for girls or underrepresented students in tech?
Yes. Kode With Klossy’s summer camps are designed for women and gender-expansive teens ages 13 to 18, with a track focused on AI and machine learning that builds foundational skills relevant to robotics. Columbia’s Hk Maker Lab also prioritizes students who can demonstrate educational or economic disadvantage, broadening access to a research-intensive robotics experience.
When should I apply to robotics programs for high school students in NYC?
Kode With Klossy closes March 31, and Stevens Institute’s priority deadline is March 16. NYU’s ARISE program closes February 27, and Columbia’s Hk Maker Lab typically closes in January. NYU’s mBODY program closes April 17, and CCNY’s STEM Institute closes May 31. Stony Brook’s robotics programs and New York Tech’s Maker Academy both close June 1. Reviewing deadlines in the fall and applying early to free or stipend-based programs is strongly recommended given their competitiveness.
One more option – Horizon Academic Research Program
If you’re interested in exploring robotics beyond a summer program, 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 subject 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: Manhattan University